Tuesday, November 12, 2013

What’s in a Name?


My family has spent the last month trying to come up with a name we can all agree on for a puppy we’re planning to buy in the spring. On more than one occasion someone will throw out a name and three out of the five of us will be on board. At other more unfortunate times, four of us give the thumbs up and one will veto the suggested name.

As an author, I understand the significance of names. I’ll confess I’ve taken week long hiatuses from my novels if I keep getting the feeling I’ve misnamed one of the characters. It rubs me wrong. So wrong I need to walk away from the book until I get it right.

So, what’s in a name?

Many of us don’t give it much thought. Though, I have come across several people in my life who’ve loathed their name since birth.

I like to be intentional when it comes to my character’s names.

In my recently released novella, THE DISAPPERING KEY I chose names with specific significance. At a book club discussing my book recently, individuals asked me about this. (A related question regarding names is listed as one of the book club questions at the back of the book.)

I’m going to give you some of the answers today. See, it pays to pay attention. ;-)

Oriana (fourteen-year-old main character’s first name) = dawn, gold, to rise

Nephesh (last name of seventy-year-old main character, Viola) = Hebrew word commonly rendered as “soul”

*More information about the character’s names to come in future posts.
**Btw, we chose a name for the pup. I’ll keep you in suspense a little longer on that though.

I miss my One Question Fridays. If you haven’t visited Thoughts that Move for long, years ago, on Fridays, 
I’d throw out some obscure (and sometimes not so obscure) question and accompany the inquiry with numerous photos.

Here’s a nod to those Friday questions…

What I want to know today is…what would you like to be called other than your name? If you could select a new name for yourself what would it be & why?

3 comments:

  1. Aww, have you come up with a few decent name contenders for the new puppy? Names are very important to me too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Jill, we've found the name. So exciting & now for the spring to get here so I can cuddle with the new pup!

      Delete
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