I can't decide! Is Mercy right?

Girl Names
1

I posted a while back in the Writer’s Corner about some naming doubts I’d been having with my characters. Since then, my main female character’s name has really been bugging me. It’s a big decision to rename a character after writing about her for so long, but her name just isn’t her! Help!

Her name was first [name]Hanna[/name] and my sister, while proof reading, told me her name was boring and she didn’t think it was right to have such a common name that a lot of girls in my reader target will have. In THIS specific case, we didn’t think it was good to have the reader put themselves in [name]Hanna[/name]'s place (tragic story).

Next I changed her name to [name]Sunniva[/name] ([name]Sunni[/name] for short and for 98% of the story). But when the other characters addressed her, it sounded almost humorous calling this tragic character [name]Sunni[/name].

Now what I’d like is an easy to spell two or three syllable name that is unique and definitely not something you hear everyday. It must have a short one syllable nickname even if that nickname isn’t an obvious choice or a full name on it’s own (ex. Lo for [name]Loren[/name]).

I’m considering:
[name]Genevieve[/name] nn [name]Eve[/name] - It’s not very unique though. I’d like something that stands out more.
[name]Mercy[/name] nn [name]Merc[/name] - front runner. BUT is [name]Mercy[/name] too grim of a name or does it fit a tragic character TOO well?
Rosaliese nn [name]Ro[/name]/[name]Rosie[/name] - I’m bored with [name]Rosie[/name]. Rosaliese is perfect but will only be known as her full name once or twice.

I would love more suggestions!

2

[name]How[/name] about:
[name]Phoebe[/name] - Phee
[name]Megan[/name] - [name]Meg[/name]
[name]Annabelle[/name] - [name]Belle[/name]
[name]Kathryn[/name] - Kath / [name]Kate[/name]
[name]Evangeline[/name] - [name]Eve[/name] / Leen
[name]Evelyn[/name] - Ev / [name]Lyn[/name]
[name]Ruby[/name] - Roo
[name]Alexa[/name] - [name]Lex[/name]
[name]Imogen[/name] - Im / [name]Gen[/name]
[name]Gwendolyn[/name] - [name]Gwen[/name]

I think [name]Mercy[/name] is cool, but [name]Merc[/name] reminds me of [name]Mercedes[/name].

3

I actually like [name]Hanna[/name]…

[name]Esme[/name]
[name]Pearl[/name]
[name]Reina[/name]
[name]Kaia[/name]
[name]Temperance[/name]
[name]Miranda[/name]
[name]Sabine[/name]
[name]Rowan[/name]/[name]Rowena[/name]
[name]Annalise[/name]
[name]Aria[/name]
[name]Joanna[/name]
[name]Cara[/name]

4

It’s hard to tell if [name]Mercy[/name] fits (or fits “too well”) without reading the book, but I know what you mean. If you are more interested in telling an exciting tale, and weaving plots, I think [name]Mercy[/name] fits fine. If the story is more subtle, and has richer character development, it might be better to keep looking. [name]Virtue[/name] names are not known for subtle messages :slight_smile: But you know the character best!

Here are some names of all different styles that fit what you asked for, I hope:
[name]Bethel[/name]
[name]Briony[/name]
[name]Celine[/name]
[name]Lotus[/name]
[name]Maren[/name]
[name]Marina[/name]
[name]Mira[/name]
[name]Melora[/name]
[name]Suzette[/name]
[name]Talia[/name]
[name]Taryn[/name]