Names for fantasy characters

Writers' Corner
1

Hello berries!

I’m in the very beginning stages of drafting a fantasy novel (more [name_u]Terry[/name_u] Pratchett than Hunger Games, to give you a less vague indication of genre) and I’m in need of suggestions for a name for one of my protagonists.

A little bit about the character - he’s a 14 year old boy of mixed heritage (the equivalent in our world would be someone of European and African heritage), quite shy and lacks confidence in himself (which will be a main point in his development arc). He’s the protagonist’s best friend. Behind his shyness is a determined, intelligent, and thoughtful young man who will grow up to be a wise adult, and would possibly be a teacher or a politician (but I haven’t got that far).

I quite like the idea of the name having a ‘will’ element - I’ve pencilled in [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] but I’m not sold on it. As it’s a fantasy story, names don’t have to adhere to real world standards.

Any thoughts?

2

[name_m]Will[/name_m] (by itself)
[name_m]William[/name_m]
[name_m]Willem[/name_m]
[name_m]Gwilym[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilfred[/name_m]
[name_m]Branwill[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilford[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilhelm[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilkie[/name_m]
[name_m]Willis[/name_m]
[name_m]Willard[/name_m]
[name_m]Fitzwilliam[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilmar[/name_m]

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps!

3

Ooh I like [name_m]Gwilym[/name_m] and [name_m]Branwill[/name_m]! I’ve not seen either before.

[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] could work in a fantasy setting?

4

I think that, as long the rest of the names (or at least most of them) aren’t too “out there”, [name_m]Wilson[/name_m] would work just fine. :slight_smile: