Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Character Names

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
Favorite Character Names
When reading, I'm a sucker for unique names. I find it more interesting (and certainly more memorable) to read about a Zayne rather than a John or a Mike. And when picking this list I also found that my feeling for the character definitely impacts my feeling for the name. I suppose if I love a character I have that association when I see the name. 
Do you do the same?
Now here are (some of) my favorites:

Miles and Tate | Ugly Love
Kiro | Kiro's Emily
Bailey and Porter | Alex, Approximately
Ryke | Some Kind of Perfect
Mase | When I'm Gone

Cade | Always
Avery | Wait For You
Finn | The Ones Who Got Away
Fallon | November 9
Saint | Nash

And a few bonus ones just because I can...

Jensen | Paper Hearts
Garrick | Losing It
Molly and Reid | The Upside of Unrequited
Roth and Zayne | White Hot Kiss
Shaw | Rule

Do character names matter to you?

31 comments

  1. I do really love a unique character name. I'm more likely to remember them, especially! Fallon is a cute one. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, Lauren! All the common-named characters tend to blend together. The unique ones stand out.

      Delete
  2. Love these character's names. I always wonder where authors get these names, especially the really weird ones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right! I've actually heard one of my favorite authors say that she collects names at book signings. :)

      Delete
  3. As an aspiring author, I'm very tempted to write down Cade as a future character name. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that book was the first time I'd come across a character named Cade... and I loved it! :)

      Delete
  4. I do love original character names, and yes they matter to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love something original and unique - definitely makes the character memorable.

      Delete
  5. I used to think more about names than I do now but I've always loved Logan & Nash.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the name Nash stuck with me because I loved the character so much. :)

      Delete
  6. Names matter. I'd much rather read about a Rule than a Carl. I can't think of the book but I read one recently (or maybe even just the synopsis) where I saw the name and was like "Really? Out of all the names in the world you picked ___?" So yeah, I prefer unique names. I will say that the prevalence of "Jax" has been a bit of an issue since that's my son's name. :/ LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes to everything you said, Brandee! :) Names totally matter and, for good or for bad, for me many names hold certain connotations. (Maybe based on the name itself, maybe based on someone I knew with that name.) Yeah, I can see how Jax would be a problem for you. LOL I recently read one with a MC named Shane... my nephew's name. I kind of cringed during certain scenes. LOL

      Delete
  7. Character names are immensely important to me, too! Bad names ruin EVERYTHING.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I LOVE the name Bailey. I don't even know why! It sounds a bit rustic but also fun? I'm not particularly fond of the character names in KB's books, since I prefer more common names, but I am SOOO attached to them. Names totally matter, and a bad name can make me dislike a character, but the most important factor is how the authors write them. :)

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree that names matter. And ditto on the bad names! I sometimes have a hard time getting past that.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Exactly! They stick with me long after the book has ended.

      Delete
  10. oh I kinda like the name "Saint" I'm a sucker for everything that has a religious undertone :) a very close second would be Roth and Zayne :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally love Saint... both the name and the character. :)

      Delete
  11. I think I do lkli the name to be a bit different, but not too out there, to the point where I roll my eyes hah. But I also can't stand when all the characters have generic names because I get confused and bored. I like Molly and Reid, Miles, and Finn from your list! Great choices!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah, I think we've all come across those names that are so out there and different that it's like, really? This is what you wanted to go with? Okaaaay... LOL

      Delete
  12. I knew somebody would have some Glines names on their list. Her's are always different, but Crownover has a knack for odd names too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *raises hand* Guess I was the one to tap into the Glines names. LOL I only used one of hers but there were a couple others I was considering - like Woods and Rush. And Crownover definitely goes for more unique names, too - without being too out there.

      Delete
  13. I agree that memorable names are more interesting in books and that my feelings about the character affect my feelings about the name.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find that if a character has a name I don't like it can be a stumbling block - takes me longer to get past the name and connect.

      Delete
  14. I'm drawn to unique character names too. Your list is great! I'm especially fond of the name Bailey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Suzanne. :) I really loved Bailey... the name *and* the character.

      Delete
  15. Such a great list!! I think Avery is my favorite although I would change it to Averie <3

    ReplyDelete