A Not-Quite-Random Poll

[rj_anderson]

I need to change the name of a minor character in Knife, because her present name is depressingly common in fantasy literature, and it really isn't giving me any idea of what she's like. Since she's going to become a major character if I write a sequel, this is a potentially serious problem. And yet... since I don't really know what she's like at this point, I'm having difficulty choosing a new name for her.

Therefore I have decided to -- you guessed it -- take a poll.

Before you vote, here's all I know about this character:

- she's got medium brown, curly hair, and brown or hazel eyes;
- she is not particularly tall;
- she's a faery, of the small and winged variety;
- she's intelligent, thoughtful, and somewhat quiet (I think); and
- she's going to have to leave her home (reluctantly, I think) and strike out on a long, dangerous journey, to look for something her people need.

I won't tell you her present name, because those who've read Knife probably know it already, and those who haven't won't find it helpful, I'm sure.

[Poll #874744]

Comments

[psychic-serpent.livejournal.com]

I did pick Rowan, which also happens to be the name that a good friend of mine gave her elder daughter, but I'm also fond of the name Beryl, which is a green stone and a British name more common around 50 years ago than it is today. As others have noted, Rowan is used a good bit in fantasy works, but I think Beryl is relatively rare and still has a reference point in the natural world, as it is a mineral. (I think it's Be on the periodic table of elements, but my memory probably shouldn't be trusted on that part.) It also makes me think of the names Meryl and Merle, as in Merle Oberon, whose surname reminds me of fairies because of Midsummer Night's Dream. :D (Those also wouldn't be bad names, and they're not overused.) FWIW, Bracken sounds awful for a name of anything that isn't evil and twisted. (Unless Bracken IS evil and twisted, in which case go for it.)

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the comments -- and I agree about Bracken, although everybody here seems to like it a lot. Go figure.

Beryl is indeed a nice name, but I'm sticking with plant-based names specifically, so alas, it is not eligible.

And Merle Oberon always makes me think of fairies too. :)