Hey all!
I’m writing a main character who’s very resilient, spunky, and brave, but still feminine. I want a name that can be easily shortened into a cute nickname.
These are my thoughts so far:
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f], nicknamed [name_u]Georgie[/name_u]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f], nicknamed [name_f]Flick[/name_f] or [name_f]Cece[/name_f]
[name_f]Sojourner[/name_f], nicknamed [name_u]Joey[/name_u]
Suggestions?
My first thought was [name_f]Tessa[/name_f], by itself or short for [name_f]Theresa[/name_f]/[name_f]Teresa[/name_f].
Also, [name_f]Cassie[/name_f] ([name_f]Cassandra[/name_f], [name_u]Cassidy[/name_u], [name_f]Cassiopeia[/name_f])
[name_f]Lainey[/name_f]/[name_u]Laney[/name_u]/[name_u]Lanie[/name_u] ([name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Lena[/name_f], [name_f]Alaina[/name_f], [name_f]Elaine[/name_f], etc.)
[name_f]Nola[/name_f]
Also, Licie might work as a nn for [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]. From your list I’d pick [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] nn [name_f]Flick/name_f.
[name_u]Delaney[/name_u] ([name_u]Lanie[/name_u])
[name_u]Vivian[/name_u] ([name_f]Viv[/name_f])
[name_f]Kadence[/name_f] ([name_u]Kay[/name_u]?)
[name_u]Carmen[/name_u], but I can’t think of a nn
[name_f]Alexandria[/name_f] (lots of possibilities- [name_u]Alex[/name_u]/[name_u]Ali[/name_u]/[name_f]Annie[/name_f]/[name_f]Andria[/name_f], I even know a girl who goes by [name_f]Andie[/name_f])
[name_f]Ivana[/name_f] ([name_f]Ana[/name_f]?)
[name_f]Giovanna[/name_f]/[name_f]Gianna[/name_f] (I know a girl who goes by [name_f]Gigi[/name_f])
[name_u]Campbell[/name_u] ([name_f]Cami[/name_f])
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] ([name_f]Hannie[/name_f])
[name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] ([name_u]Jackie[/name_u])
From your list, I like [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] nn [name_f]Flick[/name_f] the best.
[name_f]Cleo[/name_f] is my go to strong, spunky girl name. There’s also [name_f]Clea[/name_f].
In my opinion, naming your character can play such an interesting role in your story.
So, maybe, you can look up names of notorious rebellious, strong, spunky & brave historical // literary characters that can help you in not only character development but plot development; as you could use what she’s being brave // spunky // sassy about to use a name given to someone similar, helping you with a ton of foreshadowing. You could have already thought of this, but I’m just offering some inspiration
For example: (some silly, non-in-depth names to give you an idea)
If it’s someone fighting for the rights of their race, people, or group in general, you can take some inspiration from [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] [name_m]Parks[/name_m]. Although [name_f]Rose[/name_f] seems like a soft name, Roses are strong, & protective; i.e their thorns. They can also help you symbolize that feminism. [name_f]Rosa[/name_f] // [name_f]Rose[/name_f] // [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] are names I would consider.
If it’s someone who is rebelling against the government (first person to come to mind, there are many many more females that you can use. or male, but if you want to go feminine, a female is more likely to help you portray that image), maybe a name like [name_f]Alice[/name_f]. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_m]Paul[/name_m] was a very brave and rebellious girl who stood up for women’s suffrage in [name_u]America[/name_u]. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] can also tie into [name_f]Alice[/name_f] from [name_f]Alice[/name_f] in Wonderland who was very curious. Depending on the end play of your book, the meaning of [name_f]Alice[/name_f], (“noble”) could also help you.
If it’s just a simple romance, and the girl isn’t a big political statement, an obvious allusion could be to [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]. [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] was strong and rebellious in that she went after [name_m]Romeo[/name_m] when she knew she was not permitted. This isn’t as strong as other connections, but usable. You could use [name_f]Julia[/name_f], or [name_u]Julie[/name_u] (as used in the movie Warm Bodies). All three of these names mean “youthful”.
I’m sure you can find something tailored toward your exact character if you dug deep in history, or even in the meaning of names. Or maybe it’s not that serious. Much luck to you!