I thought it might be fun to have a little playtime with an oldie but goodie from my library, The Baby Name Personality Survey by Bruce Lansky and Barry Sinrod (New York: Meadowbrook Press, 1990). The authors surveyed 150,000 people from across the nation and asked their impressions and expectations of image, personality and appearance for 1,400 names. (These are heavily influenced by popular culture, so keep in mind the book is 20 years old.)
Here's the entry for my MC:
Danielle (Hebrew) judged by God
Danielle is pictured as a pretty, exotic Frenchwoman who is intelligent, well-bred and reserved.
Would you like to know what the survey says about your character's name (or yours, or one of your kid's)? Drop me a note in the comments. I'll post the results Monday.
Keep in mind the book covers common names; recent creations like Braden and Jace aren't included.
Categories: character names, just for fun
Fun!!! My MC's first name is Julie. I'd love to know what the book says about that name. (Especially since I chose that name because it was popular twenty years ago when she was born.)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Currently (and subject to change at any moment) I've got Faith, but for some reason "Kipling" has been whispering to me instead. I need a random name generator to come up with character names. It's a wonder I managed to name my children! hahaha
ReplyDeleteHAPPY FRIDAY!
What an interesting book! Would love to hear about "Bob." :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know what you book has to say about Marvin, one of my favorite characters.
ReplyDeleteI tend to name my characters after names I love - that would have gone to children if I'd had more than 3. And I use the names I wouldn't let my husband name our kids!
ReplyDeleteDarn-my son's name is Jace. :0) Okay, my MC is Moira. :0)
ReplyDeleteLord help me for asking this , BUT...what pray-tell does it have to say about Lola?
ReplyDeleteI like the name Danielle. But I LOVE the name/word Laurel. I like L's.
Have a wonderful weekend, Laurel!
Love,
Lola
I research my names too. I also look up movies, books, or myths that include someone with that name so I know what people may associate the name with.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Laurel! I'd love to hear what the name 'Matilda' means. (Yes, I am that cruel to name a character Matilda!)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
How about Brooke and Rosslyn? (I know it won't have Rosslyn by that spelling, but it may have Rosalyn.)
ReplyDeleteThis is fun. Don't have any names for you right now, though.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Karen :)
My MC is Eleanor this time around :)
ReplyDeleteMason, pretty please?
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for coming by to play, everyone. I'll probably post results in batches starting Sunday. Tomorrow is blogfest time. I'm doing the cooking/baking one hosted by Charity.
ReplyDeleteI love old names and could spend hours getting lost in research sights and books. Anne is Hebrew as well, I believe.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. My MC's name is Libby, short for Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I need to know about LAUREL... it will be fun to see what this name calls up, since it belongs to you and my MC!
ReplyDeleteOther names I'd love to learn about: David, Owen, Adam, Carol, and Laine.
Jemi through Amber, your results will be up Monday morning. Thanks for playing!
ReplyDelete