Third point is probably the most important imo.
You can learn a lot by studying, but you will not know how well you learned something until you apply that knowledge.
Why do they have to be unique? A recent book I read had the MC named "Dan McCarthy". Feels generic to me until I consider what the character did, then he becomes a standout.
Another book the MC was Kira Navárez. The last name is useful. But whenever I see her name I think of Kira Nerys from...