Character names

[gingerbeerandlemonade]

Hello!

I am very new to creative writing and this is my first attempt at a book. I've been sat on an idea for a children's series for a while and have decided to go for it. I've always wanted to write and am currently at home with my two toddlers so I want to throw everything into my writing.

At present, I am having a dilemma regarding names of characters and am hoping someone could help me. I've read that for children's picture books, writers tend to steer away from actual names and use the name of the living thing for example Panda instead of Polly panda. I had always assumed I'd give my characters names but given the current climate, I am wondering if I should make them as neutral as possible? I hope this makes sense? Thank you 🙂

If you want to use names, then use them.

If you think it might be better to make them more neutral, could you use names like Pip Panda, Ro Rhino?

@Ickabog thanks for this. I was thinking a similar thing. Really helpful.

What do you have in mind with 'the current climate', OP? I'm not trying to be goady just am unsure.

I think first names still being used for most picture books I look at and most tv cartoons aimed at younger viewers.

I remember the 'Sudanese teacher case' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudanese_teddy_bear_blasphemy_case
and I'd avoid obviously controversial names but have used first names for all my stories.

There is an issue with the relative absence of black characters in UK-published children's books and some readers not 'seeing themselves' in books but I've not seen this extend into first names being off the table in characters unless I'm missing something.

Good luck.

@Zilla1 thank you so much for replying. I don't think you're being goady at all. I don't think I explained myself well and probably used 'current climate' wrongly. I just thought making it gender neutral would appeal to a wider audience. I was also.worried about choosing names which were not inclusive enough. I didn't want to keep to typical English names. I think I started to over think it the other night. I also read a book which suggested choosing names from a variety of cultures for more inclusivity.

I didn't want you to think I was trying to trap you, OP, if that doesn't sound too paranoid.

Commercially, I'd pick your market and use names from that market with the inclusivity you've said you want to do (whether gender or otherwise) so for the UK, that would be a mix of traditionally 'English' names and newer ones.

If you self-publish, you can always edit and if you use the traditional publishing approach, your editor will help.

Good luck.

Hahaha I thought you meant Panda was too like pandemic As you were!

@Zilla1 thank you. That makes perfect sense. I'm completely new to this and have only ever written for me so I'm very nervous about sending in my manuscript. Your advice has been great.

@Noeuf 😂😂 that made me laugh!

Good luck op. I wrote a book once and the agent asked for the full copy. Rejected it and I got some suggestions for improvement. That's was about ten years ago....
Hope you have more will power than me!

Why not write your story leaving the names blank and as you go on you might fit certain character's.

Hope this is of some help to you.

babynames.net/categories