I try to pick a name that I like while generally avoiding names of relatives or friends - or names I've used too many times in other stories. Similar to FiBlue, I consider the character of the person I want to portray and try to find a name that fits. (Of course, what name fits what personality traits is very subjective.) With the subject personality in mind, I will go down a list of common names until I find one that seems right. Coincidentally, I seem to have favored names beginning with 'A', 'K', 'L', and 'S'; e.g. : Amanda, Amber, Angela, Anne, Ashley, Karen, Kathryn, Kristin, Laura, Laurie, Lisa, Lori, Sandra, Sarah, Stacy, Susan. It's a coincidence that Kia mentioned the name 'Tammy'. She's the star of the story I'm currently working on. |