Essentially, I am writing a story about a ‘cult’ that does not allow young members to leave their property until a certain age. The cult is based in extremist Christianity (not a kind that exists or could be called Christianity, but uses the texts of the Old & [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament as a basis to exploit for their own purposes). My MC births a baby girl. Now, the thing is my MC only knows those in her community-- who are all named Biblical names, and as the MC is attempting to find herself/separate herself from the cult, the baby needs a name that is not Biblical. But it also can’t be a ‘normal’ name as she has no concept of other names existing. She does have the influence of some normal things (houses, lawns, things like that but no TV/media) and of nature (think [name_m]Rocky[/name_m] mountains kind of wilderness + some field areas and a river/pond.)
All that being said… What would you name a baby if you had no concept of ‘names’ as we know them and didn’t know non-Biblical names, but didn’t want a Biblical name? You do have the influence of nature & other people who also aren’t aware of the concept of non-Biblical names.
I get that this will be very difficult, I’m sorry! That’s why I’m stuck.
(Also, I’m sorry if you find the idea of writing about a cult offensive!)
I’d go for a word - possibly inspired by the world around her - maybe something like [name_u]Sky[/name_u] (then you’ve got the symbolism of being expansive, changing and full of possibility), [name_u]Sunny[/name_u] (or Sunrise nn [name_u]Sunny[/name_u] - and then it’s linked to happiness or new beginnings), [name_u]Storm[/name_u] (disruptive, powerful etc), [name_u]Rainy[/name_u], [name_f]Star[/name_f], [name_f]Moon[/name_f]
Or, a colour she particularly likes - [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], Purple, [name_u]Red[/name_u], [name_u]Blue[/name_u], [name_f]Crimson[/name_f], Yellow ‘[name_f]Lolo[/name_f]’ etc. so it’s her identity, something she likes and she’s chosen to enjoy
Or, a word she likes/inspires her?
Are there any animals where she’s living - particularly wild animals who exist outside the control of the cult - bird names maybe?
Previous poster asked some great questions to consider.
Also, in the Bible, names are often given for their meaning. So she might have that as her only guide for how/why people are named. As a result, I could see a series of words, something almost Puritanical—“She-Is-[name_u]Free[/name_u]” or similar.
[name_u]Penny[/name_u],Pebbie(as in pebble),[name_f]Clover[/name_f],[name_u]Lucky[/name_u],[name_f]Joy[/name_f],[name_f]Meadow[/name_f],[name_f]Birdie[/name_f],[name_u]Berry[/name_u],[name_f]Rose[/name_f] (or a variation of the name),Vanilla,[name_f]Candy[/name_f],[name_f]Gemmy[/name_f],[name_m]Jewels[/name_m],[name_u]Bell[/name_u],[name_f]Princess[/name_f],[name_f]Snow[/name_f],or maybe her favorite month like [name_u]July[/name_u],[name_f]April[/name_f],[name_u]June[/name_u],[name_u]November[/name_u]
I made a post some days ago that didn’t appear, dunno if it’s in the wating line and will show up later, anyway:
Like pp ceryle said, naming stories are often given in the bible, so she might go for a word name. If she knows Latin, maybe a latin word name like [name_f]Via[/name_f], [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], Initia, Divisa. Otherwise [name_f]Hope[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Dawn[/name_f], [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f].
If she doesn’t have the concept of non-biblical names but also doesn’t want to give her daughter a biblical name, then I like the idea that your MC decided to make up her own name. Something that would totally separate her daughter from the cult and make her her own person.
I used biblical names as jumping off points:
Chel ([name_f]Rachel[/name_f])
[name_f]Zibby[/name_f] / Elbie ([name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f])
[name_f]Nana[/name_f] ([name_f]Anna[/name_f])
[name_f]Jony[/name_f] / [name_f]Jana[/name_f] ([name_f]Joanna[/name_f])
[name_f]Kizzy[/name_f] ([name_f]Keziah[/name_f])
[name_m]Dal[/name_m] ([name_f]Magdalene[/name_f])
Juju ([name_f]Judith[/name_f])
[name_f]Elah[/name_f] ([name_f]Leah[/name_f])
[name_m]Rami[/name_m] ([name_f]Miriam[/name_f])
[name_f]Sanna[/name_f] / [name_f]Suze[/name_f] ([name_f]Susanna[/name_f])
Or, if she is drawn to nature:
[name_u]Ocean[/name_u] (reminds me of adventure. Something unknown, big, and exciting)
[name_u]Bird[/name_u] (symbol of freedom)
[name_f]Flower[/name_f] ([name_f]Rose[/name_f], [name_f]Tulip[/name_f], [name_f]Lilac[/name_f], [name_f]Lavender[/name_f], [name_f]Lily[/name_f]… does your MC have a favourite flower she’d want to name her daughter after?)
[name_u]River[/name_u] (constantly and freely flowing, not stuck to one place + always moving ahead, never backwards)
I knew a woman who named her daughter Paradise. That could be neat idea. Like, a better world that your MC wants to promise her daughter. Has biblical connections, but if that’s all your MC knows, at least it’s not an established name for a person in her world.
If she has no concept of non-biblical names, then she would probably choose a biblical name, whether she agrees with the religion or not. To her, biblical names would not be religious symbols, they would just be names, as they are the only names she knows. I’m not as qualified to talk about biblical names as some of the other posters, but perhaps [name_f]Eve[/name_f] would be a suitable name; I can see a parallel between her desire for knowledge and your character’s desire for freedom, and possible willingness to break the rules/traditions to satisfy that desire.
Nature words are a reasonable solution too. A ton have been posted already but there are lists of them all over the site if you want to see more.
You might also consider virtue names. Your old-fashioned religious community reminded me of the Puritans, who also used biblical names but sometimes virtue names like [name_f]Patience[/name_f], [name_f]Silence[/name_f], or [name_f]Obedience[/name_f]. Those ones would probably be poor choices for your character’s daughter, but perhaps a virtue that she personally values would work - [name_f]Clarity[/name_f], [name_f]Verity[/name_f], [name_u]Justice[/name_u], [name_f]Journey[/name_f], [name_u]Freedom[/name_u], [name_m]Bravery[/name_m], etc.
I like the word and virtue names. Some more to consider: [name_f]Whisper[/name_f], Constellation, [name_f]Purity[/name_f], [name_f]Petal[/name_f], [name_u]Echo[/name_u]… You could also have the name be a rebellion by having it be one people would normally back away from due to negative associations, like [name_f]Lilith[/name_f], or something related to danger, like [name_m]Bear[/name_m], Wrath, [name_m]Talon[/name_m], etc.
[name_m]How[/name_m] far along her journey to independence is your MC? Is she still pretty repressed, or is it clear to those around her that she’s “different”? If she’s still pretty repressed, might she chose a Biblical name, but one w/a special meaning like freedom or flight or something like that? Might she choose a Biblical name, but one that’s from a kickass character like [name_f]Judith[/name_f] or [name_f]Esther[/name_f]? Does she know about Puritans? If she does, choosing a virtue or meaning name might be a route she’d take…still not openly rebelling but using a religious group’s naming practices to provide a cover for doing something different. Or is she in open rebellion & wants to use a name that will spit in the face of the group’s naming practices? And if she’s in open rebellion, is there a concern that the group will take her daughter away? If there’s a threat of that happening, would she mute her rebellion?
Although the whole idea of cults and repressive control in general repulses me, sorry, your naming question is fascinating and wonderfully thought provoking! So many wonderful thoughts and Names have already been contributed, the only other angle which I can think of to explore is how is her Daughter conceived? When my Older Daughter was conceived it was a beautiful [name_u]Sunny[/name_u] day, and her presence inside me felt joyful and warm, so her “Womb Name” was [name_u]Sunny[/name_u]. Had I not known about Naming and Names, she would most probably have remained being called [name_u]Sunny[/name_u]! Therefore, how your Main Character feels about the conception of her Child, as well as her Pregnancy experience, could provide you with a Name idea! I really hope that helps! All the best with your writing!
