I’m working on a contemporary story set in between 2016-2030 (haven’t decided yet), and I can’t find a name I like for the protagonist. She’s a girl, about 17, from the United States. I don’t want a frilly name, but not something traditionally masculine either. And I like modern, fresh names that aren’t extremely common, but familiar. Names that have nicknames are fine. Also, she had a hard childhood, and is secretive about her home life, so it would be great, but not necessary, if the name had a meaning related to secrets or darkness or strength. The male lead is named [name_m]Colton[/name_m], mostly called [name_m]Cole[/name_m].
Thanks! I appreciate all suggestions
If you need more details just ask
Names that have something to do with Secrets or Darkness
Runa
Nightshade
Blight
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Selena[/name_f]/[name_f]Celena[/name_f]/Silena/[name_f]Selina[/name_f]
[name_f]Selene[/name_f]
[name_f]Melanie[/name_f]
[name_f]Mallory[/name_f]
[name_f]Serafina[/name_f]/[name_f]Seraphina[/name_f]/[name_f]Serafine[/name_f]/[name_f]Seraphine[/name_f]
[name_u]Onyx[/name_u]
Names with a dark affilation:
[name_f]Desdemona[/name_f]
[name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]
[name_f]Lillith[/name_f]
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f]/[name_f]Cora[/name_f]/[name_f]Kore[/name_f]
Asphodel
Names that sound dark to me:
[name_u]Ellington[/name_u] (is a traditional masculine name, but could be a full name for an “[name_f]Elle[/name_f]” and a character who goes by a nickname would probably fit in with the traits mentioned
[name_f]Blythe[/name_f] (Means bright, but sounds dark)
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] (looks frilly to some but the “[name_f]Aure[/name_f]” spelling makes it seem darker than most “feminine” -[name_f]Lia[/name_f] names
[name_u]Artemis[/name_u] (goddess of the [name_m]Hunt[/name_m])
[name_f]Athena[/name_f] (goddess of war tactics and wisdom, protector of heroes)
[name_u]Kendall[/name_u] (truly unisex, sounds like candle)
[name_f]Ardith[/name_f]
[name_f]Katey[/name_f] - Okay this one is probably a throwaway but I figured I’d mention it anyway. Personally I’ve never met anyone with that spelling but I have met quite a few [name_f]Katie[/name_f]'s and [name_f]Katy[/name_f]'s. I wanted to suggest it because of all the [name_f]Katie[/name_f]/[name_f]Katy[/name_f]'s I know they’re all officially named [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] so maybe your character is officially [name_f]Katey[/name_f] (or maybe even [name_f]Catie[/name_f]/Caty/[name_f]Catey[/name_f]) and goes by [name_f]Kate[/name_f] or the hipper [name_f]Kat[/name_f].
[name_f]Ginger[/name_f] - I’m not entirely sure about this name. I feel like it’ll either really fit or you’ll absolutely hate it. I thought I’d suggest it because it’s common in that everyone has heard of it but uncommon in that most people probably have never met a [name_f]Ginger[/name_f].
[name_u]Quinn[/name_u] - This is one of my favourite names although it is unisex. I always thought it was strictly female until I met a boy with the name. I feel like this would work great for a girl who spends a lot of time online because she could go by Q.
[name_f]Harlow[/name_f] - Another one of my favourite names, she could go by [name_u]Harley[/name_u]. I also love [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] and [name_m]Colton[/name_m] together.
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] - This is so incredibly popular but I’m adding it simply for the nickname [name_f]Liv[/name_f]. She sounds exactly like a [name_f]Liv[/name_f] to me and you could just go right to it and use [name_f]Liv[/name_f] as her birth name if you’re open to it.
[name_f]Ebony[/name_f] - obvious connotations of darkness, and I’ve always associated it with secrets
[name_f]Kali[/name_f] - nice name till you know the meaning - ‘black one’ the hindu goddess of destruction
[name_f]Dree[/name_f] - ‘strong and manly’ - from [name_m]Andrew[/name_m]
[name_f]Asta[/name_f] - ‘divine strength’, also sounds like [name_f]Astra[/name_f], so links with space, which in turn is about secrets and darkness
[name_f]Etana[/name_f] - ‘strength of purpose’
[name_f]Zina[/name_f] - refers to a child’s secret ‘spirit name’ (African)
[name_f]Zita[/name_f] - two meanings ‘little girl’ and ‘seeker’, which could tie in well with a book theme
My favourite would be [name_f]Elle[/name_f], which just means ‘she’, not revealing anything about the character, even in her name. It’s a small and unobtrusive name, hiding from the limelight, but I always feel gives an aura of lot of power, possibly because it’s a letter name as well.
I’m completely jumping on team [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] now, I’m so glad toya b suggested it. I’d definitely say it’s modern and fresh, not to mention heard of but uncommon.
[name_f]Ebony[/name_f] is a very nice dark name to me, and very classical. I used to like this name, though not anymore. Very nice name to name a character, and it does seem to fit the description. Would definitely use it for a character… As long as the surname isn’t going to be [name_m]Way[/name_m].
Thank you so much for the suggestions everyone! I set up email notifications for the thread, but I never got any emails, so that’s why I haven’t replied yet. But again, thanks! There are so many names on this thread that I wouldn’t have found otherwise!
Well, any name of your choice would suit her. When her parents were born, they had absolutely no idea she was like what she was. Maybe not in the future… but up until a long time ago and now, We have no idea what our kid’s personality is like.
Which is partly the reason I’m naming my dark, shady boy [name_m]Luke[/name_m]. A technically cute name, but can have an edge to it in a sense.
I have no idea why, but some names that come to mind are: [name_u]Sage[/name_u]/[name_f]Sade[/name_f], [name_u]Blake[/name_u], [name_f]Briar[/name_f] (use it CAREFULLY!) and [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]. (maybe for [name_f]Theresa[/name_f].)
Bonkers word names: [name_f]Amity[/name_f], [name_f]Answer[/name_f], [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f], [name_u]Pace[/name_u], [name_u]Winter[/name_u], [name_f]Snow[/name_f].
I named my new baby girl [name_u]Skye[/name_u] [name_f]Liv[/name_f] ([name_f]Liv[/name_f] means ‘life’ in Swedish), I think it’s a great name, you’re welcome to use it
