Jennifer Fallon's Blog
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18-May-2008

What's in a name?

Posted At : 6:54 AM | Posted By : jenny
Related Categories: Wolfblade Trilogy, Tide Lords, Second Sons, Hythrun Chronicles, Demon Child
Mood: Busy, busy, busy...

For my regular Fallon Friday entry on the Voyager Online Blog, they asked me to do something on the origin of characters names. This seemed like such a good idea... and because I am slack very busy today trying to meet a proof reading deadline for Orbit in the UK with Warlord, I am reproducing it here..

I am often asked where I find names for all may various characters. Usually, they’re just lying about the house, waiting for someone to pick them up. In some cases, though, they have a definite origin…

Amyrantha

Tide Lords

From the word “amaranthine” meaning unfading or everlasting.

Arkady

Tide Lords

First saw the name years ago in an article about the artist Brett Whiteley. It’s Russian, and the name of his daughter. Saved it up until I found a character it fitted

Belagren

Second Sons

Named after someone I really, really disliked. Actually, it only rhymes with their name, now. It was suggested I change it from the actual name because HC didn’t want to get sued.

Cayal

Tide Lords

Named after a male model friend who, last I heard, was working for the Discovery Channel in London. I loved his name and told him I was planning to steal it. He didn’t mind.

Dacendaran

Hythrun Chronicles - Demon Child and the Wolfblade Trilogy

My eldest daughter, when she was about 14, told me if she ever had a son, she was going to call him Dace. I liked the name so much I stole it off her and added another couple of syllables to make it meet the Harshini naming convention. The real live Dace was born 8 months before Medalon was first published.

Declan Hawkes

Tide Lords

His real name is Mr Perky. The name Declan came from a baby book and was picked by Stephanie Smith.

Harshini

Hythrun Chronicles - Demon Child and the Wolfblade Trilogy

Name of one of my closest friends. It’s Hindu for “always smiling”

Kentravyon

Tide Lords

Kid by the name of Kentravion went to pre-school with my grandson.

Maralyce

Tide Lords

Named after someone I signed a book for at a signing in Sale, Vic. Her mother emailed me and told me off after the book came out, because I spelt the name wrong because her daughter’s name was Maralice. Once again… nothing amazing… I just liked the name.

Marqel

Second Sons

Named after a paramedic I met once, although her name was spelt “Marcel” although it was pronounced the same. I just liked the name.

Medalon

Hythrun Chronicles - Demon Child and the Wolfblade Trilogy

I was sitting in my dining room trying to come up with a name for the country where R’shiel lived. I found myself staring at the trophy cabinet full of all the kids’ medals. Medal… Medal…on… Medalon.

Stellan

Tide Lords

Because they wouldn’t let me call him Peter.

Syrolee

Tide Lords

I think this one was a racehorse.

Wrayan

Hythrun Chronicles - Wolfblade Trilogy

There is someone named Wray in the credits of the Stargate SG1 DVDs. I stole the name and modified it because it looked better with two syllables.

My favorite story about names, though, comes from when I was writing Harshini, and found myself faced with having to name the other 7 warlords of Hythria. In keeping with the whole predator/weapon theme, I ask my son (who was about 15 at the time) and his friends to come up with some names for me.

The result after several hours of intense discussion?

Lord Snapping-Turtle-Kitchen-Knife, and Lord Guinea-Pig-Baretta-32. Seriously

Not surprisingly, those names didn’t make it into the book :) 

Comments (5)

Comments

wow thats cool to know how you cane but with the names, thanks!

Posted By sarah / Posted At 5/18/08 9:27 AM

How about 'Tasmia'?

I've been trying to get someone/thing named after me...

I'm the only one I know. Although my cousin taught a Tasmia over in London. Apparently it's Bangladeshi for 'Beautiful Princess'.

Posted By Spazzgal / Posted At 5/18/08 1:29 PM

Dear author

Undeniably the ability to write and have published a fiction novel, let alone in genres heavily dependant on shifting trends and current sales such as fantasy, is a largely subjective and complex area of discussion. However, having read, with great interest, your articles and blog submissions relating to the processes of writing and gaining publication for first time hopeful fantasy authors, I am unable to help but question the implication, assumption and the theoretical context upon which your content is founded. Yet, before I continue, please allow me, at this point, to state, I am not saying that it is impossible for an individual to gain an understanding of the basic and even advanced mechanisms of both technical and creative writing. My concern, nevertheless, is focused towards your specific targeted audience and type of literature attributed and related to your content.

Essentially, your articles and much of the content which appears throughout your blog does not simply state that it is possible to improve one?s own writing skills, instead, your blog advocates the possibility of learning how to write fantasy fiction and to gain publication in that area. I question, what theoretical context is this based upon? In writing this, you claim some notion of authority, what evidence reinforces this claim? Do you truly think that it is possible for one to just simply learn how to write and have published a fantasy novel? Also, if not, do you not see what you are doing as little more than the sale of false hope?

Regards
Parable

Posted By michael / Posted At 5/18/08 8:35 PM

Uhhh....k?

Posted By Mary / Posted At 5/19/08 1:43 PM

i know Parable is writting in English but i didnt understand a word...perhaps Parable should pull his head out of his bum for 5 minutes and re write his comments so we can all understand it?

Posted By Tarnyu / Posted At 5/22/08 10:06 AM