Character Name Feedback

This is my first time posting a thread…I stumbled upon this forum in my search for character names; how perfect!

I’m writing a fantasy piece involving good, evil, and the use of the four elements–earth, water, fire, and air–to bring balance to the (fantasy) world.

My main characters are [name_f]Cypress[/name_f] and Niagara (Goes solely by [name_f]Nia[/name_f]). [name_f]Cypress[/name_f] was born with latent [name_f]Earth[/name_f] abilities. She ends up becoming a healer of sorts using her knowledge of plants, herbs, and the earth. My thoughts in her name are obvious: [name_f]Cypress[/name_f] is a kind of tree. As for [name_f]Nia[/name_f], she embodies water and has the ability to see people “clearly”, in all sense of the word (besides the fact that she loves rain and, through a twist of fate, ends up on the sea as a pirate-of-sorts). While it’s not on the site, looking up the name Niagara said that it came from a Native American word meaning “Thunder of Waters”. I’m happy with the obvious connection to the famous falls, and don’t plan on using her full name Niagara much at all (mostly [name_f]Nia[/name_f]) so as not to sound corny (which is my fear).

My secondary main characters are [name_m]Aren[/name_m] and [name_m]Colton[/name_m] (or [name_m]Cole[/name_m]). In keeping with the theme, [name_m]Aren[/name_m] embodies air while [name_m]Cole[/name_m] embodies fire. On another site I read that [name_m]Aren[/name_m] is Danish for eagle which flies, besides the fact that the name has “air” in it when pronounced. I also read that [name_m]Colton[/name_m] is English for “coal town”, and coal is used for fires (another reason for the nickname [name_m]Cole[/name_m]). This character runs away from an orphanage with his little sister Emalea ([name_f]Ema[/name_f]-no significance), and is taken in by a Smithy who nicknames [name_m]Cole[/name_m], [name_m]Flint[/name_m] because he often starts trouble, or “fires”. For plot reasons, [name_m]Cole[/name_m] needs to be given a nickname that he would rather go by.

Other characters:
The woman presiding over good is [name_f]Esther[/name_f] (Persian for star, and is closely related to the fifth element that [name_m]Aristotle[/name_m] named aether in reference to the heavens).
[name_f]Esther[/name_f]‘s male twin Erebos (not found on this site), which is “darkness” in Greek, presides over evil.
[name_m]Banner[/name_m] and [name_u]Renny[/name_u] are [name_f]Nia[/name_f]‘s crazy younger identical brothers (no significance to their names at this time other than they sounded fitting and went well together).
[name_m]Jerrett[/name_m] (means rose which fits his personality and character) Balm, son of [name_f]Vera[/name_f] Balm, is [name_f]Cypress[/name_f]’ best friend. He and his mother own an apothecary (hence the name “Balm” as well as “[name_f]Vera[/name_f]” reminiscent of aloe vera).
[name_f]Selene[/name_f] (Mythological [name_f]Goddess[/name_f] of the [name_f]Moon[/name_f]) is [name_f]Cypress[/name_f]’ mother and ends up becoming [name_f]Esther[/name_f]'s right hand (wo)man.

As you can see, I really like using names with significance. Thoughts? Suggestions? I really like what I have, but I know that it can often cloud good judgement in terms of likability for others.

Also, is there such a thing as a website that has significant LAST names? THANK YOU!

[name_f]Cypress[/name_f]: I love this name! (maybe 'cause it seems like empress…?)

Niagara: once I thought of naming one of my characters Naigara (NY-ah-gah-rah) and I don’t think it’s corny at all. [name_f]Nia[/name_f] is a beautiful nn too!!!

[name_m]Aren[/name_m]: the “air” connection is visible.

[name_m]Colton[/name_m]: I personally prefer [name_m]Cole[/name_m], but the idea of [name_m]Colton[/name_m]'s nn being [name_m]Cole[/name_m] is also nice. The fire association here is not very clear.
For some reason, I like the idea of a guy that controls fire going by the nn Cool [idiotic, I know].
When I hear [name_m]Flint[/name_m], I think about an energetic lil guy :smiley:
IDEAS: [name_u]Carmine[/name_u], [name_m]Radcliffe[/name_m], [name_m]Radley[/name_m], [name_u]Reed[/name_u], [name_m]Russell[/name_m] ([name_u]Rory[/name_u]), [name_u]Ash[/name_u], [name_m]Egan[/name_m], [name_m]Drake[/name_m], [name_m]Newt[/name_m] (“a small salamander”, a symbol of fire).

[name_f]Emelea[/name_f]: the first time I saw this name, I read [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]. Maybe [name_f]Emerald[/name_f] (the gem of protection)?

[name_f]Esther[/name_f]: a queen, it means star and it does looks like Aether. PERFECT.

Erebos: I understand that sharing initials is a twin thing, but for me [name_f]Esther[/name_f] and Erebos are too much alike.
IDEAS: Acheron (river of pain in the Greek Underworld), Charon, Thanatos (personification of death), Hyperion, [name_m]Cronus[/name_m]/ Chronnos, Astraeus (some Titans).

[name_m]Banner[/name_m] & [name_u]Renny[/name_u]: nice twin set.

[name_m]Jerrett[/name_m] and [name_f]Vera[/name_f] Balm look like family.

[name_f]Selene[/name_f], [name_f]Cypress[/name_f] and [name_f]Esther[/name_f]: badass women!!!

SURNAMES:

  • [name_f]Fantasy[/name_f] Name Generators: some crazy, weird and made up [I hope] surnames. I like to see the options and then change a couple of things, like: Oceanscar to Oceanarr. However, some of then are nice the way they are (Nightbloom). PROBLEM: only English-based last names.
    http://fantasynamegenerators.com/fantasy-surnames.php

  • Behind the Name: I believe that you’re already familiar with this one
    http://surnames.behindthename.com/

Sorry ~ If you give me more information about how you want the surnames, I will help you, k?

I like how your names have similar meaning to their abilities, but names are all about vibes for me, personally. From what you’ve said, I think [name_f]Cypress[/name_f], Niagara, [name_u]Arden[/name_u] and [name_m]Cole[/name_m] have perfect names. [name_m]Colton[/name_m] doesn’t fit vibe-wise for me, but as that doesn’t seem as though it’ll be used often, I don’t think it matters too much.

I personally would change the names of [name_f]Nia[/name_f]'s younger brothers, but to what I’m not too sure yet…I’ll get back to you on that one. The only other thing that I feel may work better is if Jerret’s nickname is [name_u]Jet[/name_u]?

TWINS:

[name_u]Blue[/name_u]/ water:
[name_u]Cyan[/name_u]
[name_u]Cerulean[/name_u]
[name_u]Sterling[/name_u]
[name_m]Viridian[/name_m]
[name_f]Azure[/name_f]
[name_m]Moss[/name_m] / [name_m]Moze[/name_m]
[name_u]Nairobi[/name_u]
[name_m]Dolphus[/name_m] (seems like dolphin)
[name_u]Nile[/name_u]
[name_u]Rio[/name_u]
[name_u]Danube[/name_u]

Different stuff:
[name_m]Surya[/name_m]
[name_m]Jarah[/name_m]
[name_m]Abba[/name_m]
[name_m]Braham[/name_m]
[name_m]Absalom[/name_m]
[name_m]Adomas[/name_m]
[name_m]Alf[/name_m]

Place names (inspired):
[name_m]Bolivar[/name_m]
[name_m]Colombo[/name_m]
[name_m]Columbus[/name_m]
[name_m]Bimini[/name_m]
[name_u]Brazil[/name_u] / [name_m]Brasil[/name_m] (I’m biased :P)
[name_u]Cairo[/name_u]
[name_u]Persia[/name_u]
[name_m]Reno[/name_m] nn [name_u]Renny[/name_u]
[name_u]Salem[/name_u]
[name_u]Glasgow[/name_u]
[name_u]Everest[/name_u] / [name_u]Everett[/name_u]

[name_u]Jet[/name_u] is an AWESOME nn!!! It’s adorable and strong. And better: it’s not over the top.
Personally, I prefer Jerret as the full given name and [name_u]Jet[/name_u] only as nn.

I think [name_m]Cole[/name_m] would prefer to go by [name_m]Cole[/name_m], and I like the names, and maybe you could do for some Stormblade and [name_m]Winters[/name_m] as well as [name_m]Black[/name_m], maybe if those last names work.