1. Phaedra vs. Nerissa

Writers' Corner
1

Genre of [name_u]Story[/name_u]: Romance, Historical, [name_f]Fantasy[/name_f]

Time Period: The book methodically switches from seven years in the future to way back in the A.D. ages.

Location: A mythical kingdom in the sky known as Ostara.

Brief Plot: For ages, the Ostarans (a race of celestial beings bearing otherworldly powers that were given to them by gods) have kept the human world peaceable and safe from strife or destruction. But when the gods above begin to fight, the Ostara people lose control of their powers and the [name_f]Earth[/name_f] begins to unravel. The fate of the world-- Ostaran and human-- lies in the hands of a young woman.

Character Description:

  • she is nineteen in human years
  • has flaming red hair and a fiery personality to match
  • has bright turquoise eyes
  • quite tall in human standards (Ostarans are very tall; the average height is almost seven feet tall for an adult)
  • has the ability of time-travel

Immediate Family:
Father - [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m]
Mother - [name_f]Hester[/name_f]

The names that I can’t decide between are [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] and [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]. On one hand, [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] is a gorgeous name, with the fierce nickname [name_f]Neri[/name_f]. I can totally picture my main character with this name: [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f], with her fiery locks billowing in the wind behind her, striking blue-green eyes set on something in the distance. [name_m]Alas[/name_m], [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] means “of the sea,” which doesn’t make sense being that she has celestial powers, not powers of the sea. On the other hand, there is [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]. This Greek name means “bright,” which fits in perfectly with the story. But [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] doesn’t fit the character as well as [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] does, despite the meaning. One minute I say to myself, “I don’t care about the meaning of the name; [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] is perfect!” The next minute, I say, “Nope, the meaning of [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] outrules [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f].” [name_f]Do[/name_f] you see my dilemma?

Overall, I want your opinion on which name I should choose. Should I choose [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f], the perfect name for my character? Or does the meaning of [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] overrule my first choice? [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t just choose one name because you like it more; really take time with your decision. Thank you in advance.

P.S. - About surnames: There are many different clans in Ostara, and whatever clan you belong to is your last name. For example, [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f]/ [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]'s father belonged to the Lunae ([name_f]Moon[/name_f]) clan, therefore making him [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m] Lunae. If you marry someone of another clan, you join that clan and their last name becomes yours. So [name_f]Hester[/name_f], [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f]/ [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]'s mother, who originally belonged to the [name_f]Sunniva[/name_f] ([name_f]Sun[/name_f]) clan, now is a part of the Lunae clan because of her husband. Does this make sense to you?

P.P.S. - I would have made this post a poll, but I want to know opinions more than I want to see which name is everyone’s favorite.

2

I don’t think anyone will care what [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] means… [name_m]Just[/name_m] go with [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f]!

3

I prefer [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] for her name. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though I love the name [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f], I see it as a more delicate and dainty name. [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] is more bold to me. It seems regal, and like someone you’d take more serious.

When I read that she had flaming red hair, and how tall she was all I thought was [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] and how strong the name sounds. Also, I think [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] has a better balance with the names of the other characters.

If she was a princess in a fairytale land, a mermaid, or a land with ponies and unicorns I would so recommend [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] over [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f]. But the name just seems way too sweet for a teen who is tall, strong, and bold. [name_m]Even[/name_m] the clan names makes [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] seem more of a fit.

Good luck!! And your story seems like something I’d love to read.

4

For me, [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] just sounds “stronger” than the limp [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] (which just reminds me of the other “issa” names I dislike - I’m thinking of you, [name_f]Alyssa[/name_f] and [name_f]Melissa[/name_f] :)). I can see [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] fitting your descriptions quite well (a tall, fiery red-head) whereas I get a blue-eyed blond image for [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f]. [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] sounds like a majestic force to be reckoned with while [name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] is more dainty and petite. Those are the vibes I get from the names anyway. :slight_smile:

5

So far, everyone has basically said [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] suits my main character’s fiery personality the best. After considering this for a long time, I must agree with you. [name_f]Phaedra[/name_f] is the best! Thank you all for your input! :slight_smile: