Rant incoming here. I noticed that when I really, really don't like a character's name, it annoys me a lot, and keeps distracting me while I read. This is actually the reason why I completely stopped reading several stories, because the MC's name bothered me so much. 

Did anyone else ever feel that? Am I crazy? 

It is really immersion-breaking to me. Like, it's hard to read a story where the MC's name is "Boruto". It sounds like a parody. And it's a shame, since this mind block is stopping me from enjoying some really good stories. FFS, I had this problem even with "Zorian" from Mother of Learning, since Dorian is a perfectly common name over here (where the author is also from). So "Zorian" was like taking "Bob" and changing it to "Xob" (because your character lives in a magic fantasy world, so they need the magical X or Z somewhere in there).

Or when I see RR stories with MC names like "Reinhardt", or the one-millionth "Lily" in a row. It's just hard for me to "accept" those names and believe them.

Or if you have a kingdom called "Flowerland", it just sounds silly to me.

Another one which doesn't even need mentioning is le good ol' Randidly Ghosthound. Like, wtf? I can get behind it if the story is silly, but when it's trying to be serious and keep names like that, I struggle. Another one was "A Will Eternal", with translated character names like "Nightcrypt", "Frigidsect", or "Ghostfang". (On the other hand, a bunch of character have regular names, which makes it even more strange.)

Do you think naming is important? Obviously not too important, since great stories with these names get big regardless. But does it bother you when you read? For me it's very distracting!

I get where you're coming from. I had the same issue with The FATOFF Conspiracy where the main character was called Cindy. I'm pretty certain it was a play on Cinderella because I think Rella was the surname and there was the whole stepmother/step-family thing going on, but I just found it weird.

Which probably reflect badly on me, but the mind is an odd thing sometimes. 😅

I don't usually get too bugged by it but I do lose track sometimes when the names are too unfamiliar and don't register to me as more than a jumble of letters.

For your specific issue though, maybe you could try something like Word Replacer II - Chrome Web Store to replace the names that bother you with ones you like? I mean, if that's all that is keeping you from enjoying stories you really would have liked to read. 

I personally like it when names are creative. DC's Batman is especially good with "Edward Nigma" or Mr. E, or Jervis Tetch. Marvel names seem so cold and generic. 

I like the idea of a name that pulls me into the story and makes me wonder if a place like that can exist. 

sometimes place names can over do it like: cave of despite, Doom mountain or death's river...Id be more scared of a place called: valley of fluffy bunnies or peaceful lake

It depends. 

I use silly names a lot and I appreciate them. I grew up on fantasy and early 90's cartoons. 'He-Man' and 'Skeletor' are just par for the course, as is human-looking bearded wizards who happened to be named after a mythological dwarf for.. some reason. As long as the universe is somewhat consistent with its naming scheme/s (and the obvious outliers are intentional, like the ever present 'Bob' and such being thrown in there for comedy relief) then I don't mind it at all. Cinder Ella sounds like something I'd use tbh. 

I do feel you on the Xavier equivalents, though, but it's more a matter of cultural inconsistency. Xavier (with various spellings) seems like a fairly normal name in the spanish speaking parts of the world, if I understand it correctly. I wouldn't notice anything off if the mc had cultural roots there. It's a name that stands out to me sometimes because, well, sometimes it's just obviously played for 'cool'. 

Weird or silly names won’t make me drop a story I otherwise enjoy but I do notice and kind of roll my eyes at them. Like you said it’s especially jarring when everyone else is called Tim and Jen and the MC’s name is Zantragoth or something.

In my own work I’m about half and half between real names and made up ones, but I try to stay grounded with them.

Silly names don't bug me so much, not like it's used to be, because I got myself into this hole called etymologies and localized names.

Now because I got into that hole, I found a new pet peeve with names.

Silly and/or normal names that are chosen just because it's sounds cool is just stupid. Especially if they have a name that is super damn obvious what it means, then not utilizing at all in anything, except just sounding cool.

Names have meanings people, utilize it to give further depth to whatever you are writing.

Nilonyan Wrote: Silly and/or normal names that are chosen just because it's sounds cool is just stupid. Especially if they have a name that is super damn obvious what it means, then not utilizing at all in anything, except just sounding cool.

Names have meanings people, utilize it to give further depth to whatever you are writing.

Eh, how many IRL people do you know whose actions match their name? 

I am actually one of the people whose name matches my profession. You could port me into the pokemon universe and I'd fit right in. But because of that, I take note when I meet a fellow butt of collegue puns. We're not that common. 

Depends on the hierarchy I suppose it is called. I do not mind if minor characters have some random name, I can get over that. Though, when it comes to escalation of importance. My scrutiny rises, and if the main has some ridiculous name with no purpose. I am out, unless it is a comedy. A comedy is something entirely different, which requires another mindset.

My main works for instance, there is a reason why I hide my lead’s full name. It was only recently I left a single direct clue per book. To figure it out, you’d really need to look extremely deep. It is highly unlikely to even fit together, as intended. The direct clues, was to make it more possible. However, it is very easy to miss. The purpose in doing this, is because, the main’s name reveals the ending of the series. The first book even intentionally confuses on what their first name is, but there are a few instances that identifies it. Once again though, it is easy to miss. 

A chapter before the finale of third book in the trilogy, the meaning of their full name is given. Then in the finale, their full name is given. In short, the meaning shifts from the chapter before, and in the finale. Since before, it is in the process. In the finale, it is absolute. 

I am not bothered by silly names, heck I named a dragon Biscuit because he looks like one, or his parents thought that. But you can do a lot with names. Reinhart is German if the guy is German it makes perfect sense, in a fantasy world inspired by who knows where and he has no connection to that name it would be a bit silly.

Names are great tools for worldbuilding or characterisation.

The only time names bother me if two main characters with very similar looking names, and that's it. And even that isn't going to make me reject a story.

I don't care what other writers names their characters. I've read a lot of fanstasy novel. Especially old ones and odd ones where the naming schemes are usually. So nothing fazes me with character names. I just hope fantasy writers know I'm not going to pronounce their character's name right. I've poor phonic reasoning.

Depends on the genre, I can accept silly names in wuxia stories and the like because I don’t take those stories very seriously. In normal fantasy stories however they can be quite annoying.


I will disagree with the first two names that you mentioned though, both xander and xavier are established names where I come from so they don’t sound silly.

The rest are pretty horrific though.

Readers are excusable to say no to a name while reading a synopsis or the first chapter of the story. 
For example: 
"Follow the adventure of Buttface BubbleButt as he gets isekaid to a different world of sword and magic-"

Reader: Nope!

But after reading 30-50 chappies, a rant about names will be silly. If you haven't gotten over the name by then, then it is a You problem. Furthermore, the writer has already committed to the name by that point, and, to put it bluntly, the ranter is not important enough to motivate any writer to make major changes in his story.

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Unless a name is distracting, I've never had much issue.

I'd also agree that characters shouldn't be confusable—careful with closely spelled or pronounced names.

Put it in the world of fiction, probably. But if it is about real life, it is best not to get offended by names. Sometimes, it can be a root cause of bullying. 
Like a name Hardik, Sukdip, Suparman, Molester... a lot... it is best to set aside the prejudice and ask what's behind the name. If the reply is something really not cool, perhaps that's a real problem. If there's a real symbolic meaning, then better try to be opem minded about that.

Paradoxcloud Wrote: Depends on the genre, I can accept silly names in wuxia stories and the like because I don’t take those stories very seriously. In normal fantasy stories however they can be quite.


I will disagree with the first two names that you mentioned though, both xander and xavier are established names where I come from so they don’t sound silly.

The rest are pretty horrific though.

Oh, I actually didn't know those were real names, I just learned something today. Feel a bit dumb now. Xavier was always the bald X-man wheelchair guy in my mind. "Reserved name" 

Like seeing a RR character called "Batman", thought it was a superhero name hahah

Ararara Wrote:

Paradoxcloud Wrote: Depends on the genre, I can accept silly names in wuxia stories and the like because I don’t take those stories very seriously. In normal fantasy stories however they can be quite.


I will disagree with the first two names that you mentioned though, both xander and xavier are established names where I come from so they don’t sound silly.

The rest are pretty horrific though.

Oh, I actually didn't know those were real names, I just learned something today. Feel a bit dumb now. Xavier was always the bald X-man wheelchair guy in my mind. "Reserved name" 

Like seeing a RR character called "Batman", thought it was a superhero name hahah

Yea, Xavier comes from the Christian saint Francis Xavier while Xander is used as a short form for Alexander.

When the name is part of the ironic element of character, I think it serves story. So, it depends on the story more than anything.

If writing tragic drama, naming anyone Poindexter is pretty much a severe fail.

But writing about the mental patient who built a spaceship that actually flies? Yep, that guy's a Poindexter!

So, all about the story. Like if anyone wrote a Superhero story and called the main character Lance.... probably never get any real attention, and that isn't so much a comical name. 

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