So I an notoriously bad at naming my main character.
I want a name like [name]Lucy[/name], but not [name]Lucy[/name]. Her best friend’s name happens to be [name]Lily[/name] (unchangeable at this point), and it’s just too close.
This character is reserved, fiercely loyal, and extremely strong. Think warrior, but feminine. She’s a teenager sometime in the seventies. I’m looking for something a little tragic.
I really really need some help. I’ve considered names like [name]Audrey[/name], [name]Elizabeth[/name], and [name]Hazel[/name], but they just don’t fit her or the story at all well.
I feel ya… All the names I pick for characters don’t seem right. I usually over-think it so I use the first name that comes to mind when I see my character.
Here’s the link for the 200 most popular names for females in the 70’s:
Not much help. Sorry 
When I think of [name]Lucy[/name], I always think of [name]Stella[/name].
Some other random names:
[name]Saskia[/name]
[name]Vivica[/name]
[name]Ivy[/name]
[name]Isadora[/name]
[name]Carlotta[/name]
[name]Opal[/name]
[name]Raquel[/name]
[name]Saba[/name]
[name]Cordelia[/name]
[name]Zara[/name]
[name]Juliet[/name]
[name]Jade[/name]
[name]Darcy[/name]
[name]Lydia[/name] (too close?)
[name]Mavis[/name]
[name]Evanthe[/name]
[name]Leilani[/name]
[name]Araminta[/name]
[name]Greta[/name]
I really like the name [name]Rory[/name]. It is a spunky name and not too common.
When [name]Lucy[/name] comes to mind, I think of:
[name]Rachel[/name]
[name]Rebecca[/name]
[name]Barbara[/name]
[name]Morgan[/name]
[name]Sabrina[/name]
[name]Abbey[/name]
[name]Jayne[/name]
[name]Eve[/name]
[name]Diane[/name]
[name]Jordana[/name]
[name]Starr[/name]
[name]Hope[/name] this helps some. I know how hard coming up with the perfect name can be.
[name]Gaby[/name] or [name]Gretel[/name]. both strong names for strong females.
[name]Mallory[/name] means unlucky, and I feel this would fit her very well if you want slightly tragic.
[name]Georgiana[/name]
[name]Susan[/name]
[name]Evelyn[/name]
beverly
[name]Beatrice[/name]
[name]Francine[/name]
[name]Maureen[/name]
[name]Diana[/name]
[name]Penelope[/name]
[name]Priscilla[/name]
[name]Quincey[/name]
[name]Valerie[/name]
[name]Victoria[/name]
I agree that [name]Mallory[/name] would be a good name. [name]Lucille[/name] is close to [name]Lucy[/name], but doesn’t describe your character well, at least not in my mind. Some names I think of that fit your character:
[name]Poppy[/name]
[name]Mae[/name]
[name]Gabrielle[/name]
[name]Haley[/name]
[name]Jenna[/name]
I, too, like [name]Mallory[/name], especially if you’re going for something a bit tragic.
Other ideas:
[name]Caroline[/name]
[name]Ingrid[/name]
[name]Deirdre[/name]
[name]Cassandra[/name] (nn [name]Cassie[/name])
[name]Faye[/name]
[name]Josephine[/name] (nn [name]Josie[/name])
[name]Susannah[/name]
[name]Nina[/name]
I don’t suppose [name]Desdemona[/name] is an option? 
Anyway, I like [name]Juliet[/name] - to me at least, it sounds spunky and femimine together. Also [name]Hadley[/name], [name]Waverly[/name], and [name]Molly[/name] ([name]Molly[/name] works an a nn for a variety of names, from [name]Margret[/name] to [name]Melania[/name], at least in my mind). Speaking of which, how bout [name]Melissa[/name], nn [name]Mel[/name] or [name]Lissa[/name]?
Oh! Seventies, teenager, tragic…
I’d go with
[name]Trina[/name]
[name]Lisa[/name]
[name]Kim[/name]
[name]Gloria[/name]
[name]Debbie[/name]
[name]Cindy[/name]
[name]Barbie[/name]
[name]Patti[/name]
[name]Linda[/name]
[name]Susie[/name]
[name]Amy[/name]
[name]Tina[/name]
[name]Goldie[/name]
[name]Jackie[/name]
[name]Vicki[/name]
[name]Karen[/name]
[name]Crissy[/name]
[name]Kathy[/name]
[name]Denise[/name]
[name]Missy[/name]
[name]Sandy[/name]
I’m a little surprised you went with a [name]Lily[/name] in the 70’s atmosphere.
Thank you so much 
I decided in the end that [name]Mallory[/name] was a really good choice. At first, all I had was distaste for the name (some bad memories with a girl I went to school with) but it kind of stuck and the more time passed, I actually grew to enjoy it.
But like I said, Thanks, it ended up being perfect!! 