What it says on the tin–I need suggestions for naming several female characters that live in Medieval [name_f]England[/name_f]. I wouldn’t like the names to be too strange, but I don’t want them to be too common or over-used either, like [name_f]Anna[/name_f] or [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] (though I do love those names).
Character #1–Comes from a prominent royal family. A closet lesbian. Older sister of Character #2, and would do anything for her. Kind, intelligent, sensitive, prefers to be alone and read. Innocently mischievous. Natural leader.
Character #2–Character #1’s younger sister. Playful, bubbly, naive, and doesn’t act like someone of noble birth. Also brave, strong-willed, and perceptive. Would give up her noble title in a heartbeat for adventure and excitement. Devoted to Character #1.
Character #3–An orphan who is an apprentice at the local blacksmith’s. Bullied by the other kids. Small in stature and appears frail. Sarcastic and intelligent, but also very empathetic and kind. Brave when it matters. Doesn’t like trouble or hurting others. Has a strong connection with wolves.
Character #4–A mischievous [name_f]Gypsy[/name_f] whose name is synonymous with trouble. She never does anything illegal, and makes sure that no one is ever hurt, but she can never resist a good prank. [name_m]Sly[/name_m] and cunning, but deep down very kind and protective of others. Her mischievous side is a front that resulted from a tragic accident in her youth.
Character #5–The rebellious princess who does everything she can to overturn the patriarchy. An open lesbian, she refuses any marriages that are offered to her. She loves horses and participating in sports of all kinds. She is feared all across the kingdom and is known for not being afraid to fight to get what she wants. She has a hair-trigger temper and longs for freedom.
Character #6–Based strongly on [name_f]Rapunzel[/name_f]. Artistic, kind, and outgoing, even though she doesn’t mind being alone. Becomes very upset when she discovers that her ‘mother’ captured her and killed her parents when she was a baby. This makes her reveal her darker side, and she becomes much more bold, cynical, and willing to fight than beforehand.
Character #7–The daughter of the healer witch in the woods, she is avoided by most people. She has dark hair, pale skin, and wears black robes constantly. Would be considered ‘goth’ by today’s standards. Cold and often appears ‘stuck-up’, but is really quite charming once she ‘thaws’ a bit, and is not at all bitchy as she first appears. She generally dislikes people and bonds quickly with Character #3 because they have both been ostracized their entire lives.
The more minor characters:
Character #2’s lady-in-waiting, who turns out to be a spy for another kingdom but has actually fallen in love with Character 2 and is willing to betray her country for her.
Character #6’s girlfriend, who rescues her from the tower. A thief with a good heart. Based on [name_u]Robin[/name_u] Hood.
Character #3’s frenemy, who occasionally stands up for 3 when she is bullied but not always, especially when most of her other friends are there. Halfway through the story, however, she has a change of heart and sides with Character #3 for good, promising to destroy anyone who tries to hurt her.
Thanks for any suggestions!