Make up names or use English or Japanese or etc. names?

[SilvCrimBlac]

So, when writing, who here prefers to make up their own fantasy-ish names or use English or Japanese or (insert whatever names here) some other kinds of names for characters?

For those who chose to use already known names rather than make their own up, do you use your own language or a foreign one?

Also, for those who use a foreign one, do you always feel like you need to set the story in the same country as the name, or at least in a made-up country that shares similarities to the language the names are under, such as similar food or culture or etc.?

An example would be, an English speaker using a Japanese sounding name, would you then make your story set in Japan, or set in a made-country similar to Japan? Or, would you have it set in an area that share no similarities at all? Like for example, using a Japanese-sounding named character, with the world this character dwells in being prehistorical, or medieval-west, or just zany and alien-ish.

 

[Minx]

If the MC is Japanese, I'd named Another World with a western name. There are many reasons why—one of them being able to tell the difference between heroes and normal people. It would be good too if black hair is considered rare there. Of course MC can also hide his special characteristic, but he will still stand out due to his modern common sense being way off the roof in comparison to the common sense of that fantasy world.

Long story short, I like to make up names with a little bit of lore and usage for the plot, of course I use a random name generator when I can't come up with anything good.

 

[Ai-chan]

So, when writing, who here prefers to make up their own fantasy-ish names or use English or Japanese or (insert whatever names here) some other kinds of names for characters?

For those who chose to use already known names rather than make their own up, do you use your own language or a foreign one?

Also, for those who use a foreign one, do you always feel like you need to set the story in the same country as the name, or at least in a made-up country that shares similarities to the language the names are under, such as similar food or culture or etc.?

An example would be, an English speaker using a Japanese sounding name, would you then make your story set in Japan, or set in a made-country similar to Japan? Or, would you have it set in an area that share no similarities at all? Like for example, using a Japanese-sounding named character, with the world this character dwells in being prehistorical, or medieval-west, or just zany and alien-ish.

If it's isekai, Ai-chan would either use Japanese, Malay or English name. Ai-chan doesn't know enough German to use German name. But for fantasy, Ai-chan usually program a random name generator for Ai-chan's own use.

Examples of characters named by random name generator are
1. Nefesukaya (Nefeskaya) from Hero Prince(ss)
2. Eruberu Sentanaria (Albell Sentnaria) from The Bride's Groom
3. Hefumefu from Masked Knight
4. Furimu (Freme) from The Tavern Mistress (title may change when published)

And now Ai-chan is programming another random name generator, the all encompassing Ultimate Name Assistant!

 

[Deleted member 54065]

So, when writing, who here prefers to make up their own fantasy-ish names or use English or Japanese or (insert whatever names here) some other kinds of names for characters?

For those who chose to use already known names rather than make their own up, do you use your own language or a foreign one?

Also, for those who use a foreign one, do you always feel like you need to set the story in the same country as the name, or at least in a made-up country that shares similarities to the language the names are under, such as similar food or culture or etc.?

An example would be, an English speaker using a Japanese sounding name, would you then make your story set in Japan, or set in a made-country similar to Japan? Or, would you have it set in an area that share no similarities at all? Like for example, using a Japanese-sounding named character, with the world this character dwells in being prehistorical, or medieval-west, or just zany and alien-ish.

It's a mix for me because I focus more on the narrative than the meaning of the name of the characters.

Plus, it feels authentic (for me) to have a character named Bob thrown in a story about friendship than one named Tomodachi Nakama in a story about bonds and friendship.

 

[ABCGUY]

If it's isekai, Ai-chan would either use Japanese, Malay or English name. Ai-chan doesn't know enough German to use German name.

As a German I feel insulted

 

[ThrillingHuman]

who here prefers to make up their own fantasy-ish names

I prefer to do that. Sometimes I cheekily add a foreign name or an English one, but to a character who has no ties to any Earthling state. Extremely rarely do I imply that a character is from an existing place (2, more or less characters of this variety is all I have in all my stories rn).

As a German I feel insulted

Have a pretzel and some beer with sparkling water?

 

[Ai-chan]

As a German I feel insulted

Don't worry babe. Your Octoberfest still fondly remains in Ai-chan's memories.

 

[ABCGUY]

Don't worry babe. Your Octoberfest still fondly remains in Ai-chan's memories.

I hate Octoberfest does Everyone think Bavaria is the whole of Germany

 

[T.K._Paradox]

If the MC is Japanese, I'd named Another World with a western name. There are many reasons why—one of them being able to tell the difference between heroes and normal people. It would be good too if black hair is considered rare there. Of course MC can also hide his special characteristic, but he will still stand out due to his modern common sense being way off the roof in comparison to the common sense of that fantasy world.

Long story short, I like to make up names with a little bit of lore and usage for the plot, of course I use a random name generator when I can't come up with anything good.

The thing is it ain't just black hair that singles the MC out. If all these people look European, as an Asian he or she would really stand out.

 

[AliceShiki]

I honestly am very whimsical with my naming sense. I choose whatever names I think will feel good.

My surnames feel more western though.

 

[BearlyAlive]

Don't know, don't care. I literally named half of my antagonists (bad) puns. Like "Hareem Shoo-Jinko" for an isekai MC wannabe or "Armin von Dapast (a meme from the past)" for a character that (unknowingly) uses old memes

 

[Agentt]

Made up names! They add to the fun!

 

[Ilikewaterkusa]

So, when writing, who here prefers to make up their own fantasy-ish names or use English or Japanese or (insert whatever names here) some other kinds of names for characters?

For those who chose to use already known names rather than make their own up, do you use your own language or a foreign one?

Also, for those who use a foreign one, do you always feel like you need to set the story in the same country as the name, or at least in a made-up country that shares similarities to the language the names are under, such as similar food or culture or etc.?

An example would be, an English speaker using a Japanese sounding name, would you then make your story set in Japan, or set in a made-country similar to Japan? Or, would you have it set in an area that share no similarities at all? Like for example, using a Japanese-sounding named character, with the world this character dwells in being prehistorical, or medieval-west, or just zany and alien-ish.

Mix

 

[SilvCrimBlac]

I hate Octoberfest does Everyone think Bavaria is the whole of Germany

But it is though.

 

[Irl_Rat]

I hate Octoberfest does Everyone think Bavaria is the whole of Germany

Bavaria>>>>>>the losers that leech off of it the rest of Germany.

 

[Roland_Pine]

99% of my names are anagrams of random objects I find around my apartment.

 

[SilvCrimBlac]

99% of my names are anagrams of random objects I find around my apartment.

That's a very interesting idea.