There’s a story idea that I have been toying with, on again-off again, since the end of seventh grade. For reference, I’m five days away from being a senior in high school, so this idea came about in 2012. [name_m]Long[/name_m] time ago. A lot has changed with the idea since then and I had grown rather tired of it so it’s been on the back-burner for this school year. As summer approaches, I’ve decided to bring the idea back but try and actually organize it and maybe turn it into a side project.
As I stated before, many things have changed about it. And, I’ve personally changed since the first draft. When I was that age, I was really obsessed with choosing names for my characters that I didn’t know anyone with. Not necessarily uncommon names, but nothing of anyone in my class at school. Now I don’t really give a crap and will choose any name I feel fits the character, regardless of who I know with the name. However, the old way of thinking has led me to regret a couple of the main characters’ names. My issue is that, although I really don’t like their names, I’ve had this story idea for so long, circling through my head, that I can’t picture them with any other names.
Currently their names are [name_u]Jay[/name_u] and [name_u]Skylar[/name_u]. Brother and sister, with [name_u]Jay[/name_u] being the boy. They also have a younger brother named [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] whose name I like.
Genre of [name_u]Story[/name_u]: More fantasy than anything else, I guess. Modern day setting with elements of magic
Time Period/Location: Present day in Kansas City, [name_u]MO[/name_u]
Brief Plot: Three siblings are forced into fighting in a magical war started by their deceased father.
Unchanged Characters: [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] (younger brother), [name_f]Kristine[/name_f] “[name_f]Kristy[/name_f]” (mom), [name_m]Graham[/name_m] (dad)
Character 1:
Current Name: [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Jansen[/name_m] [name_m]Jr[/name_m]. “[name_u]Jay[/name_u]”
[name_m]Reason[/name_m] for Change: My issues with [name_u]Jay[/name_u]‘s name concern its origin and its usage. It was originally a nickname since he had his father’s name (the last name is [name_m]Jansen[/name_m] so [name_u]Jay[/name_u] came from that). My problem is that I’m not a huge fan of juniors. And I do tend to have some not-so-nice thoughts initially towards people who name their kid after themselves for no apparent reason. I want to like the kids’ parents but I can’t do that with [name_u]Jay[/name_u] being a junior. I’d make it his full name except I feel that it might sound dated. I know two Jays and while one is 18, the other is middle aged. I also think of [name_u]Jay[/name_u] Pritchett from Modern Family (who is old).
Character Description: Type A personality- very smart, works hard and does well in school. He’s sort of athletic, plays basketball for the high school. He’s meant to be the “perfect older brother” that the younger siblings are constantly compared to. [name_m]Brown[/name_m] hair and eyes.
Who named the character: His parents [name_f]Kristy[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Jansen[/name_m]. They were younger when they had him, probably 23 or 24. Well educated but still young so that might have influenced it.
Immediate Family (if relevant): [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] (younger brother), [name_f]Kristy[/name_f], [name_m]Graham[/name_m]
Already Considered (if relevant): I thought about keeping the nickname idea and making his full name [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m] but I don’t think [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m] really fits him. Other than that, I have no ideas for a new name.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]’t Suggest These Names: Anything too trendy (no -aiden), or anything that might sound dated within the next few years ([name_u]Mason[/name_u], [name_m]Ryder[/name_m], etc)
Character 2:
Current Name: [name_u]Skylar[/name_u] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] [name_m]Jansen[/name_m]
[name_m]Reason[/name_m] for Change: [name_u]Skylar[/name_u], I like the sound of but hate the look. It looks tacky to me. I also don’t like how unisex it is. While I think a unisex, or at least not super feminine name is best, [name_u]Skylar[/name_u] is too close to the line for me.
Character Description: She is clever, like her older brother, but often feels overshadowed by him. This causes her to find other ways to get attention, usually by being overly sassy and sarcastic or by breaking the rules. She’s also the only sibling to have blue eyes (like her dad) which I, for a while, used to justify the name [name_u]Skylar[/name_u].
Who named the character: Her parents [name_f]Kristy[/name_f] and [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Jansen[/name_m]. They would have been 25 or 26 when having her, so a bit older, but I don’t anticipate that their style changed a ton. They definitely don’t seem like name nerds.
Immediate Family (if relevant): [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] (younger brother), [name_f]Kristy[/name_f], [name_m]Graham[/name_m], [name_f]Anna[/name_f] (aunt, the middle name [name_f]Ann[/name_f] is after her)
Already Considered (if relevant): I’ve tried and tried to find better spellings but, to me, [name_u]Skyler[/name_u] and [name_u]Schuyler[/name_u] are all boy (although I have a crush on [name_u]Schuyler[/name_u] for a girl. I just think it’s a) too hard for people to pronounce, b) doesn’t fit the family’s name style, and c) doesn’t fit the character). [name_u]Skye[/name_u] is too wishy-washy for her. [name_f]Skyla[/name_f] is too girly. Apart from that, I’ve gotten everything from Skyleigh to [name_f]Skylynn[/name_f] to Skailer (and I asked for not tacky spellings!).
I do have two ideas for her. One is [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] [name_u]Skylar[/name_u] and having her go by her middle name (her aunt’s name is [name_f]Anna[/name_f] and her current middle name is [name_f]Ann[/name_f] as a result). It seemed like a good way for me to get both [name_u]Skylar[/name_u] and a less, for lack of better word, tacky looking first name. My other idea is naming her [name_f]Maya[/name_f], which could fit the character, it just would take me some time getting used to.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]’t Suggest These Names: Again, anything too trendy (no [name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]), or anything that might sound dated within the next few years ([name_u]Brooklyn[/name_u]. Also think [name_u]Skylar[/name_u] could easily fall into this)
Anything else?: I’m basically asking if it’s worth it for me to overcome my attachment towards these names in order for me to actually be happy with and like them. If you think they’re fine, you can just say that. If you have other ideas, I would love to hear them.
Thanks and sorry this is long!
