So I saw a thread today where the poster asked about the “right” syllable count/flow for combinations in general. This got me thinking a little bit, of course everyone has a different “right” for themselves, we all know what we think sounds good and what we like, but I love to hear others opinions on these kind of things.
What syllable flow sounds the best to you? What do you find your self attracted to? With your last name, whatever it is, what syllable count sounds best? Does syllable flow matter at all to you when actually choosing names you would use irl?
[name_m]How[/name_m] about sounds in a name? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like if first and middle name share sounds (ex. [name_f]Star[/name_f] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], repeating ‘r’ sounds)? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you prefer contrasting sounds in a combination (ex. [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] [name_m]Pike[/name_m], softer sounds of [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] paired with the harder sounds of [name_m]Pike[/name_m])? And on almost that same note do you like to pair “soft” names with soft middles and “hard” names with hard middles? Or keep it contrasting there too?
I’m just curious about the way people go about these things! [name_m]Feel[/name_m] free to share any opinions, the way you do it, and more then I’ve even mentioned!
I think it sounds best when FN, MN and LN have different syllable counts.
For example [name_u]Michael[/name_u] [name_m]Jason[/name_m] [name_m]Davis[/name_m] sounds repetative. [name_u]Michael[/name_u] [name_u]Jay[/name_u] [name_m]Davis[/name_m] already sounds better.
I also like combining short FN with a longer MN or the other way around.
[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] [name_m]Johnson[/name_m] is pretty, but [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Eve[/name_f] [name_m]Johnson[/name_m] sounds better.
Having some kind of contrast is important too, whether it’s harsh and soft sounds, or different style for FN and MN.
[name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_m]John[/name_m] is a nice classic name, but [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_m]Zane[/name_m] for example is much more interesting.
I do pay attention to syllable flow when making combos, but I don’t have a set number pattern. I mean, I wouldn’t pair two 1 syllable names or two 2 syllable names, but I don’t have a set standard to meet, ya know? It really just depends on the name in question, so I don’t rule too much out. For instance, [name_u]Parker[/name_u] would clash with my surname, but [name_f]Clara[/name_f] (another 2 syllable name) sounds great with it.
I’m a bit pickier when it comes to repetitious sounds in names. I think that it rarely sounds good, especially if there is a hard K sound (my ears ‘catch’ on it). I do like contrasting sounds or styles in combos. Too much sameness just waters down what can be a great name.
Basically, when I make combos, I start with a name that I love enough to make a first name. Then I think about what sound good as a middle name…what would feel natural…or, if the first name is a bit unexpected, I think about what would balance it out. Then I play around with different middle names until I find a combo that is really pleasant to my ears. It’s tricky, but fun
When I make combinations I start with a list of names I like as first names and a list of names I like as middles (usually honour names). Then start reading the names together + surname and see which ones I like the sound of best. Usually I do end up with a syllable count that is in the ‘classic’ more jumbled sense, sometimes I don’t. At the moment I have some names where I’m not sure on the combination (especially for the boys) so I’m trying to rework a few, and that means I’m revisiting old lists to see if there are some things I might have missed.
I do pay attention to syllable length but my general rule is just variation. My surname is two syllables so any two syllable first name I def. have to pair with a 1 or 3+ name. I’m not super picky as of right now in terms of flowing with my surname, however, as I’m not pregnant or even TTC yet. For example, I am loving [name_m]Vincent[/name_m] right now but I do question his usability because my surname starts with a T.
I love repeating sounds but only with certain letters. O & M come to mind immediately! I guess I just love those sounds in general. I also like alliteration with a first & middle name but again only with certain letters (and they have to have different sounds throughout the rest of the name), I think some my favorites are names starting with A & E. Alliteration with a first, middle, & surname would be a bit too much to me.
I love romantic, soft names and I adore pairing them together. When I search for a name I look for names that are ethereal & romantic. I sometimes contrast but I think for the most part I like my combo’s to feel romantic or magical, light, & airy.
I am very particular with my name pairing. I don’t pay attention to syllables as much as the flow of sounds. Though, in general, I would not pair names with the same number of syllables (all three of my siblings’ first, middle, and last name all have the same amount of syllables and they flow pretty well). I cannot handle when a name has too much of one sound, like [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f]. Both have the ee sound and both have the a at the end.
I actually also take the way a name looks visually written down into consideration when pairing. For example, I really like the sound of [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f] [name_f]Odette[/name_f], but I don’t like the look of it because both names contain double letters.
All in all, it mostly depends on the names, but I guess my pairing comes mostly from sound and visual.
I don’t really pay attention to the number of syllable, just the flow in general and the imagery it gives me. Oh and if the meaning makes sense together, it’s a huge bonus (but not highly mandatory).
[name_m]Just[/name_m] whatever “clicks” and feels right for me. I do avoid middle names that have the same strong sound as the first name (examples: [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] - too much R, [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f] [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] - too much S, [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_f]Amelie[/name_f] - both end with the EE sound), middles that could be nicknames for the first name (examples: [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Elle[/name_f], [name_f]Samantha[/name_f] [name_f]Anne[/name_f]) or vise versa, and middles that are botanical or natural themed if the first name is already a nature name (examples: [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f], [name_f]Flora[/name_f] [name_f]Opal[/name_f], [name_f]Dahlia[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f]). I also try and avoid the first and middle having the same number of syllables, but sometimes I’m okay with it (examples: [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_u]Eloise[/name_u] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f] - I like all of these). Also, I typically try and avoid the names being the same or a similar length (examples: edited for privacy [name_f]Katherine[/name_f], [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Juliette[/name_f], [name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f]).
I don’t follow strict rules when coming up with combos, I just find a name I like and go through different middle name options in my head until I find something that flows well and gives me the right feeling/imaginery. I seem to prefer having shorter first names and longer middles and to like it when the names share sounds ([name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] with the L, [name_m]Lysander[/name_m] [name_m]George[/name_m] with the R), but those aren’t set patterns or requirements.
I take a lot more time naming characters because I like my character’s name to reflect their personality and past, on top of fitting them and having a nice flow. To do that I do a lot more research into the names to find meanings, origins and other references that relate to my character.
