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Character Nicknames
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Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ November 18th, 2010, 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Character Nicknames
As a companion topic to the thread "Characters with Multiple Names" (to prevent said thread from going astray), this is a place for discussing characters with nicknames.

Do you give your characters nicknames? If so, who and what? Why? Who uses the nicknames? How do they play a part in your story?
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ November 18th, 2010, 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
I love nicknames! A lot of my characters have them. Often, if they have nicknames, they have more than one.

Part of this might be because nicknames play an important role in my personal life in the "real world." I've had more than one nickname for as long as I can remember (right now I have 6 core names people will refer to me by, 5 of which have variants - and I'm probably forgetting a few incidentals). Each of the nicknames is special because of the person that gave it to me and the situation in which it is used. I also have several friends for whom their nickname is more familiar than their real name!

In books, I think nicknames can add familiarity and authenticity to dialog. It's not that difficult to keep nicknames straight if they are used only in dialog, so confusion is not much of a concern. I think, in general, that the narration should use one name to refer to each character - usually the base, "standard" name. I think mixing too many names in the narration could spring confusion and inconsistency.

However, not all of my characters have nicknames. In my current NaNo novel, I can only think of one passing instance where a nickname is used. Most of the names are too short (or too formal) to familiarize, and the tone of the dialog is more old-fashioned. Nicknames just don't fit.

Usually my characters' nicknames are pretty simple (obvious shortened versions of their name), and they never have as many as I do. :D Nathaniel is Nathan (which is the term the narration uses) or Nate; Edwin is Ed or Eddie; Philadelphia is Phil or Phia, and I plan to add Philli in there since y'all came up with that brilliant idea. :D I have a Katrina that is called "Kitty" by her older brother.

As of yet I have no nicknames that play a role other than to show affection between characters.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ November 18th, 2010, 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Marita doesnt mind her friends calling her Mari as a nickname but only her close friends. Aearion I'm working on. It's so hard to type out all the time so I'm hoping to shorten it to Rion but it's not quite working for me so am thinking about changing his name even though I like that one! :)
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ November 18th, 2010, 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
What if you changed the name to just "Arion"? I once had a character with that name, and I think it's a great fantasy name. I kinda like Rion, though. :D
Author:  Lady Elanor [ November 19th, 2010, 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
:) I don't mind Rion it somehow doesn't inspire me though hehe. However once you've called someone something you just can't change it can you! It's their name then! Haha, do you ever feel like that?
Author:  Lady Vilisse Mimetes [ November 19th, 2010, 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
I can think of 3 characters who have nicknames...

Singnator (aka, Nator) I'm really thinking of changing his name. Because 1) it doesn't sound like a boy's name and 2) Nator sounds too much like Natorii (and spelled almost the same :P ) I just haven't taken the time to change it yet :roll:

Alveena (aka, Hawk or Ali) her name means; "elf or magical being, friend"
She is called Ali by Singnator (her fiancée) in an affectionate/loving way :D
She calls herself Hawk (enough to eventually be known by it). The name Hawk came from the antagonist's (Jurcksta'En) nickname being Shake. Alveena is trying to kill/defeat Jurcksta'En. She chooses the nickname Hawk because of a certain hawk in Ashta that's primary source of food is snakes (regular hawks also eat snakes at times, that was my main inspiration for the nickname). BTW, Alveena is one of my favorite MCs :D someday you'll find out why ;)

Jurcksta'En (aka, Snake) Because he's the bad guy. What better thing can you call him but snake? (okay, yes there are others, but this worked perfectly) The best part about this name means I have a legit reason for people calling each other jerks. In my world this insult means way more than in this world. If you call someone a jerk you're comparing them to one of the worst tyrants of North Ashta :shock: (big no-no!)
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ November 19th, 2010, 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Oh yes. If you do succeed in changing it, it takes a lot of work to adjust to a character's new name!

That's great, Vili! I like the symbolism in the nicknames.
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ November 19th, 2010, 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Lukas (Luke): pretty self explanatory

Tanner (Tahn): Tanner means Leather worker but everyone in the other world (no name yet, fail) calls him Tahn which means new. Basically it's his 'real' name because he is a new creation. (he just doesn't know it yet)

Kaida (KD or Kate): pretty basic too

Amos (Mo): same thing...

Fulgar (Jaguar or Jag): gar became the basis for that one but Jag because he likes to make lightening, so it worked.

There are others I just can't remember them all right now...
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ November 22nd, 2010, 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Here is mine from A Slave's Song:
Danica Kandra: Dani (This is self explanatory, I hope. :D)

And here are mine from Shattering the Dark:
Joshua Lewis: Josh

Jock Lewis: Kaden (His middle name, thanks to Calen! :D)

Jayson Neil Lewis: Jay (Again, self explanatory, but it is also his name in his and Shawn's made up world, which is nameless at this time)

Shawn Alexis Henderson: Skylark (There isn't a story behind this one yet, but Jay calls her that a lot.)

Jessalyn Lewis: Jess

Lawrence: Lars

That's all I have right now...
Author:  Melody Kondrael [ November 22nd, 2010, 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
My favorite nicknamed character is Z. Just plain Z. :) Full name's Zacharias [middle name I can't recall] Kondrael but it's a mouthful. Somewhere along the lines, some sibling who was just learning to talk called him Z; and it stuck. :D
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ November 26th, 2010, 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Well--I've just got two nicknames hammered out.

Zaciré -- Zac

Numaryá -- Aryá

BTW (at the risk of going off-topic) Changing a character's name IS really hard--It took me several days to adjust from the name Horsvar to Hardvan--and even now I still write the wrong one sometime....

eruheran
Author:  Lady Vilisse Mimetes [ November 27th, 2010, 12:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Well, I've successfully begun the process of renaming Singnator :D

Atanair (Atan) - Alveena's future husband. Father of Gira-Glemo. Son of Ligra. He's called Atan for short by most people. (ah-TAN-air).


to add another MC...
Y'rota-Sanah'Atel-Hybernia (Hybernia, Conqueress) - Hybernia is an honorary title given to Sanah when she became queen/ruler. It means "the Future in Hand". The Conqueress was another title her people used. This was given to her after the Zarack were defeated.
Author:  Calenmiriel [ December 2nd, 2010, 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Elanor wrote:
:) I don't mind Rion it somehow doesn't inspire me though hehe. However once you've called someone something you just can't change it can you! It's their name then! Haha, do you ever feel like that?

You could call him Ri said as (Ree). :D

Shawn Henderson wrote:
Jock Lewis: Kaden (His middle name, thanks to Calen! :D)

Hee hee! ^^

Melody Kondrael wrote:
My favorite nicknamed character is Z.

That's funny because my great-uncle calls me Z since he can't pronounce my birth name. X3

Hmmm, so nicknames for me own characters....well, I haven't really decided on anything. Plus I haven't written much in the novel form of their story (title to be determined).

Charlotte could obviously be Char said as (Shar).

Lucius...Uh, whatever I'm coming up with sounds strange. Luce could always work, but it doesn't sound right. I also can't imagine Charlotte calling him that.

My new character is named Fidelia. I'm trying to figure out a nickname her brother can call her. I'm possibly thinking of Fidlie. (Even though it sort of reminds me of a fiddle...) XD I like it either way. ^^
Author:  Leandra Falconwing [ December 2nd, 2010, 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
I don't think I use nicknames much, but I've got a few...mostly, they're just a shortened form of the full name.

Llewellyn is usually called Lewis by his family.

Leander sometimes gets shortened to Lee.

Kyren gets called Ky by Rainer a lot.

Connor usually goes by Conn.

I have one sci-fi story idea where the four guys use code-names during their night-job and probably other times, too. Rand is Wisp, Ethan is Falcon, Hal is Micro, and Lee is Warden.

Bardon Falcon Marone goes by Marlon. Most people don't even know it's not his real name. (Marlon means little falcon or something like that.)

*snicker* Langford gets called "kid" by his siblings. Does that count as a nickname? (He's the biggest and the youngest; they have to do something to keep him from getting a big head. ;) )

Nightrose goes by Rose, Windrider by Rider.


Ehh...I have a lot of different story ideas and therefore a lot of characters. I could probably come up with a few more nicknames if I read through my documents.
Author:  Calenmiriel [ December 3rd, 2010, 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Leandra Falconwing wrote:
Llewellyn is usually called Lewis by his family.


*GASP* I LOVE the name Llewellyn! I first saw the name for an artist on the music channel on TV a couple years ago! I used to want to name my some-day son that, but then I would feel bad if he was made fun of. :x
Author:  Aemi [ March 26th, 2011, 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
My MC girl's name is Mahlia, and her family calls her Mahli. A grandfatherly man in her home village sometimes calls her Blackbird.

Mahlia has a sister named Emerald, and I think Emerald's sisters call her Emma, Emmy, or Em. Mahlia's other sisters don't have nicknames.
Author:  Ana Mimetes [ April 5th, 2011, 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Hmmm I'm not much into nicknames, because I think that they can sometimes confuse readers..
I do, however, have to have a nickname for a Junior that I have in my book.
Father's name is Maverick, Son's name is Maverick so they call Mr. Jr over here "Rickey". Not super creative I know but it works :rofl: .
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ April 5th, 2011, 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Rickey... I like that, Ana! :D
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 5th, 2011, 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Actually, Ana, I thought it was pretty original, since Mav is the typical nickname for Maverick. In fact, my cousin Maverick is called Mav by the family.
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ April 9th, 2011, 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
You have a cousin named Maverick? :shock:

Ana, I'm awful with nicknames: mine are always lame :roll: But I like that! (Especially because it sounds diminutive)

eruheran
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 11th, 2011, 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Yeah, why, is that weird? Mav and I are actually the same age.

While this is not common knowledge, I am thinking of allowing a character in my book to have a nickname created for her by this forum. For some unknown reason I never thought of the nickname myself *smacks forehead *.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ April 11th, 2011, 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Airianna Valenshia wrote:
While this is not common knowledge, I am thinking of allowing a character in my book to have a nickname created for her by this forum. For some unknown reason I never thought of the nickname myself *smacks forehead *.


That's what happened with Philadelphia's nickname "Philli." That brilliant thought had NEVER occurred to me, but it's perfect for the character, so I'm using it in the book. :D
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 11th, 2011, 3:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
I couldn't believe you never thought of that one, when you told me. :D
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ April 11th, 2011, 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
It took the fondness of a doting third party to uncover the brilliance. :D
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 11th, 2011, 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
;)
Author:  Sienna North [ April 19th, 2011, 4:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Here are a few names/nicknames from my many stories~

Memory: Mem {short-n-sweet, plus it sounds enchanting}
Tarsin: I'm thinking about Tar, but... just not quite seeing it :)
Corlath: no one would *dare* call him a nickname, I'm sure!
Quel: a little short for nicknames
Minna: sometimes called Min {she despises Minnie}
Aravis: drawin' a blank here. Ari? Vissie? Um, no, I don't quite think so!
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 19th, 2011, 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
How about Avi, Dawn, for Aravis' nickname?
Author:  Sienna North [ April 19th, 2011, 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Avi? Sounds pretty good... not quite *perfect*, though, perhaps...

Anyhow, she's Aravis-Mith for only the first part of the story. Then she become the Erianess, who doesn't actually have a name, and during the course of that somehow she becomes Rumor-Nathrad, too. I guess she's just not that into the whole nickname thing!
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 19th, 2011, 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Some characters just aren't ;)
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ April 25th, 2011, 5:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Doesn't sound like she much likes to stay with one name, either :shock: ;)

eru
Author:  Sienna North [ April 25th, 2011, 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
Aha! I'm changing the spelling and pronunciation of her name :shock: !

Araevis {uh-RAY-vis} and her nickname is now Rae! And that solves the problem of copying from Horse & His Boy too {good ole CS Lewis}.

eru - yes...she does seem to like name changes there...
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ April 25th, 2011, 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
A lovely change, Dawn. I like it.
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ May 3rd, 2011, 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Character Nicknames
I like it too :)

eru
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