Names are my nemesis.I can find faces. I spent a lovely couple of hours yesterday finding faces and "auditioning" them on the toile-covered board in my office.
... but names. ARRRGHHH.
The fact that I've already used so many names in past books complicates things immensely.
So many of the women's names I like have already been "taken."
This is my leading lady.
Do you see Jenny, Lydia, Madaline (I suppose she would be called Maddie?), Rosalie,or some other name I haven't considered?
By the way, I collect names from historical documents and tombstones, just to make sure it's a name that was in use.
In this case it would have to have been in use in 1843 when my leading lady was born.
It isn't a contest, but I'd appreciate your input. And if I choose the name you suggested, I promise to thank you when I write the acknowledgements ... and I'll send you a free book when it's available next spring (this book doesn't release until spring of 2014). Well, there you go ... maybe it is a contest, after all.
Blessings!
One of my ancestors was named Lucinda Whittington. She was born in 1832, a bit before your leading lady's time. Not sure this will fit your purposes, but it is a name. :)
ReplyDeleteLucinda sounds like a classy woman to me ... hmmm.....as long as no one calls her Cindy ;-)
DeleteHow fun! Ellie (maybe short for Elizabeth)? or maybe Ann/Anna?
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly but surely making my way through all of your books, so I'm not sure if you've used these before or not. You're one of my favorites, so I'm looking forward to another great read!!
Nicole, I'm not sure either ... I should have done a MUCH better job of keeping track of names, but of course I had no idea I would still be writing all these years later ... I like both Ellie and Anna ... stay tuned!
DeleteI had two great - great grandmothers named Susan. One was named Susan Alveretta. Not sure of the other. Had another great grandmother named Sallie Pleasant ******. Another named Jerlie (combination of Irish and Dutch names) O'Grady. Her family dropped the O and settled in a small community in MS which was named for them; now known as Grady, MS.
DeleteJulia Ann, Martha Roseanna, Eleanor, and I like Madeline. She doesn't strike me as having a nickname. A little too regal looking for that, maybe.
ReplyDeleteI agree--I think--at least at this point--that a nickname may be problematic.
DeleteI imagine names would be hard, especially when you have created so many characters already. I like the name Joy. or a "V" name, like Vera, Vivian, or Violet. Nice and strong sounding, yet classy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've had a main character with a "v" name ... will have to check the ages of those you suggest. Interesting ...
DeleteGwendolyn (or Gwendolyne, rhyming with Caroline; another spelling: Gwendolen) or Gwyneth ~ nickname Gwen or Gwyn
ReplyDeleteGenevieve ~ first or last part for nickname; Giovanna
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net ~ thought you might need my address for when I win! :D
Genevieve was the main character in one of my Dakota Moons books, but I don't think I've used those others ... THANK YOU! Stay tuned!
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ReplyDeleteI think she looks like Hazel. And even though her portrait tells nothing about her eye color, I bet they would match her name.
ReplyDeleteI had an Aunt Hazel, but I've never considered using the name. Thanks for that!
Deleteshe is a perfect Madeline and I like the nick name of Maddie for her.
ReplyDeleteOdile Valerie De L'or Lux
ReplyDeleteI once had an editor who complained about my "hard to pronounce names" when I used some French names. I LOVE the name Odile, but I don't know if American readers could handle it. What do you think?
DeleteWhat do you think about Clarrisa? Or Phania, both names of my great grandmother's..
ReplyDeletePhania ... I've never encountered that name before. I wonder if her mother made it up ... hhmmmm
DeleteSo.... what about Vivian or Lillian?
ReplyDeleteNot Odile, then Adele?
ReplyDeleteAdele is coming next spring ... in A Captain for Laura Rose ;-)
DeleteI can't tell you where I came across this name (HIPPA), but what about Everina?
ReplyDeletenow that's an unusual name, Cathy ... adding that to my list. Thanks!
DeleteMy grandmother Aurora named her daughter Everina. Then there is the name Aurora as a possibility.
ReplyDeleteI have two more suggestions: Ogile or Octavia
ReplyDeleteHow about Evangeline?
ReplyDeleteEvangeline: A Tale of Acadie is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem, which is based on a true (semi-tragic) love story, contributed to the name's rise popularity, particularly among Catholics and especially French-American Catholics as in Louisiana.
Your lady looks SO much like my Grandmother, Barbara. I don't know if the name fits the era but the picture sure fits her!
ReplyDeleteYou have probably had her name for months now, but she is Lena or Nina to me...love her eyes......
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