Why in the world did you give your character that name?

I’m learning names can be tricky. I created a protagonist with the surname of Lawley because he lives by the letter of the law. (However, in order to survive he must bend a few rules.)

Character names are often self-explanatory. Think Sleeping Beauty; Bugs Bunny; Old Yeller; Prince Valiant; and Superman, the Man of Steel.

Some compelling labels naturally fit characters, but don’t seem to have solid reasoning behind them. Lee Child helped a lady in a grocery store by reaching an item on the top shelf. Mrs. Child said something to him like, “There’s your character’s name.” Indeed, Jack Reacher is over six feet tall.

There are designations that are well-thought-out. Cruella de Vil was derived from cruel devil. Before Disney got hold of the word, “maleficent” was a highfalutin adjective meaning “causing harm,” the opposite of “beneficent.”

Even if you weren’t quite sure what it meant, you would know from the prefix that it was up to no good, in the same wicked family as “malignant,” “malevolent,” and “malicious.” Maleficent also echoes “magnificent,” befitting a grand character who is not to be trifled with. And it sounds like a plausible woman’s name, not too far off from “Millicent.”

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a gold mine of meaningful names.

Bellatrix LeStrange’s unforgettable first name is from the Latin meaning “female warrior,” while Lestrange possibly equals “the weird.”

Remus Lupin was inspired by Remus, one of the two brothers who founded Rome. In Roman mythology, the men were raised by a wolf. Lupin comes from the Latin “Lupinus,” which means “of a wolf.”

Rowling writes of Trelawney, the professor of divination: “Sybill’s first name is a homonym of ‘Sibyl,’ which was a female clairvoyant in ancient times.” As for Professor McGonagall, Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, as well as the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. Rowling explained the surname: “William McGonagall is celebrated as the worst poet in British history. There was something irresistible to me about his name, and the idea that such a brilliant woman might be a distant relative of the buffoonish McGonagall.”

Your characters’ names should be true to their backgrounds. If your story stars a Jewish individual, make sure the name you give them is actually Jewish.

Some titles easily resonate with readers: dictator, ER doctor, senator, DaVinci, Baggins, Annie, Adam, and last but not least, Eve. Call your dog Einstein, and everybody knows he or she is one smart canine. Hans Gruber? Guarantee readers will expect a ruined party. (Germanic names can sound naturally harsh.) Beau? He’s got to be from the South and a handsome hero. Or a jerk, but still handsome and still from the South.

Is each character’s name really important? Only those you want spoken and Tweeted about, remembered and repeated.

Superhero names should be as memorable as you can make them, which means short and compelling. Think of it as a form of advertising or branding, only instead of soap, you’re selling a character.

Check out this name generator, one of many fun websites to help name your unforgettable fictional characters. Happy naming!