I need a few opinions (last names, nicknames, spellings)

Writers' Corner
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[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! I seem to be struggling extra with names in this new project, so I figured why not ask people who are a lot better at this than me! To avoid making three or four posts, I’m asking everything in one, so please give opinions on whichever strikes you.

First is the last name for my main character. I settled on [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] (with some help) for her first name, but her surname illudes me. I’d like the name to be sort of fancy, or rich, as she’s supposed to come from a rich family, and maybe a little on the longer side. I did a quick poll with a few suggestions, and [name_f]Bennington[/name_f] was a favorite there, but the more I turned it over in my head the less I liked it. Heisenberg was another, and I still like, I just don’t think it quite fits with a given name like [name_f]Arwen[/name_f]. The newest one I’ve been tossing around is Kincaid, which I think sounds nice and fits the background, but refuses to stick in my head if that makes sense. Should I just told with Kincaid or keep looking?

[name_f]My[/name_f] next issue is a nickname for [name_f]Arwen[/name_f]. Most of the other characters have nicknames, and I’d like her to have one, but I’m just not quite sure what to do with her. Ari/Arie maybe? Does that even sound nice?

Next is [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] versus [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. I can’t decide which I like better. On one hand, I like the spelling of [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] as a full name, but prefer the nickname spelling of [name_u]Alex[/name_u] over [name_u]Alek[/name_u] or [name_u]Aleks[/name_u]. Alternatively, I could come outta left field with either and nickname him Ander(s). Thoughts?

And finally, the biggest one (after the last name thing)- [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] as a nickname for [name_m]Vladimir[/name_m]. According to literally every conversation I’ve seen in regards to my Vladimir’s namesake being called [name_m]Vlad[/name_m], [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] is not an acceptable nickname. [name_m]Vova[/name_m] or [name_m]Volodya[/name_m] are apparently the more accepted nicknames. [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] is either an independent name, or short for [name_m]Vladislav[/name_m]. I’ve got a few issues here. On one hand, I’d hate to look like- or be- the numbskull that disrespects another culture, but on the other… I love [name_m]Vlad[/name_m], and dislike both alternatives, being called [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] is one half of the reference that is his name, and having the ‘American’ nickname certainly fits with the other characters (ie, [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] being [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and not the traditional and somewhat confusing Sacha). I might be making too big of a deal about this, or I might not, so I turn it over to you all, much more intelligent than I. Should I not use [name_m]Vlad[/name_m]? Should I use it and address it in the story somehow, or just ignore it?

Anyway, thanks in advance for any and all help!

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  1. I’d say keep looking. Kincaid is a good backup but I’m sure there’s a better name out there.
  2. [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is nice! [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] doesn’t need a nickname though, if you don’t absolutely want one.
  3. I’d base the spelling of the full name on where he comes from. When reading [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] I’d assume Polish, Russian would also make sense. I think it’s fine to spell the nickname as [name_u]Alex[/name_u] even if the full name is [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m], it makes sense that he chooses an Americanized version since apparently he decided again going by [name_u]Sasha[/name_u].
  4. Keep in mind that I don’t know a lot about this either. Would you be fine with using [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] as a standalone? [name_f]My[/name_f] other idea (if my assumption is correct that this character is of Russian heritage but in America) was to use [name_m]Vova[/name_m] at home, but his American peers nicknamed him [name_m]Vlad[/name_m].
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A nickname for [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] could be [name_f]Winnie[/name_f]? I like the last replier’s idea of having [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] be an American nickname and the original nickname being [name_m]Vova[/name_m], and having the full name [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] but the nickname [name_u]Alex[/name_u]. Maybe keep looking for a different last name, but out of the ones given I like Kincaid best. Basically, I have no new ideas except a nickname [name_f]Winnie[/name_f].

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[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Featherstonehaugh
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] De [name_m]Villiers[/name_m]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Wallington
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] [name_u]Van[/name_u] der [name_u]Van[/name_u]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] [name_m]Buckley[/name_m]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] [name_m]Faulkner[/name_m]
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Wallington
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Montrose
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Burghley
[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] Woodville

I like the nickname [name_u]Ari[/name_u] for [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Alex[/name_u] for either [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] or [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]

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  1. I quite like Kincaid, but if it doesn’t work for you, keep looking. [name_u]Dell[/name_u] could be a short and sweet last name, but it might not be fancy enough. It also depends on the character’s family’s origin, but Eadberht or Luksa could work for a rich/luxurious feel.
  2. [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] is fine on its own, honestly, but if you want her to have a nickname, I like [name_u]Arie[/name_u] with an e better than the alternative. Other than Ari/Arie, [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] is a hard name to come up with a nickname for.
  3. Personally, I like [name_m]Aleksander[/name_m] better, because I tend to go for more alternative spellings, but I really like the name either way. Alternatively, you could go for [name_m]Alecsander[/name_m] with a c. That’s always been my personal favorite.
  4. Oh, dear, that is a tricky one. I’m not well educated in this sort of thing, but I like the idea of @Wandarine, who says that you could use [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] as a standalone. Sorry that I couldn’t be of more help on this one!

Good luck with your story!

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[name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to jump in and thank everyone for their help! I’m still not sure what her last name will be- I’ve got a couple options I’m going to drop in the quick pole thread later. Her nickname is going to be Ari(e), and [name_m]Aleksandr[/name_m] will be [name_u]Alex[/name_u]. And, yeah, [name_u]Alex[/name_u] and [name_m]Vladimir[/name_m] are Russians living in [name_u]America[/name_u]. Probably should have clarified? (・–・;)ゞ I’m scatterbrained sometimes, hence why I’m replying like 12 days after the last response. As for [name_m]Vlad[/name_m] as a nickname for [name_m]Vladimir[/name_m], I’ve decided to use [name_m]Vlad[/name_m]. I kinda like the idea that the some of his lackeys do call him [name_m]Vova[/name_m], and he hates it, for various reasons. Its something I had going on with a different, but similar, character that I always really enjoyed. Probably more than I should for such a stupid little thing.

Anyway, thanks again!

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Kincaid works well!