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HelpNames and stereotypical characters
Have you ever noticed that in fiction (books, movies, whatever) certain stereotypes tend to have the same name.
Some examples that I can think of:
When I was a kid, I used to read lots of fantasy books and most times there was a character named Hawthorne, which always was an old, wise wizard (think Dumbledore).
This one applies to any book genre: if the teenager female main character had a tomboyish best friend, her name was either Alex or Sam. Every. Single. Time. Like come on, a name doesn't define your entire personality. Why did her name always had to be a nickname that could also be used for a masculine name? I would've loved to see a tomboy stereotype named Jane or Ciara.
The last example I could think of is the masculine main character in highschool romances. 90% of the times his name was Liam, Noah, Dylan or Lucas. That's it. Weren't authors able to think of any other names? I've always thought Jared, Mason and Zayn are perfect names for this stereotype.
So my question is: have you ever found a name being used for the same kind of character over and over? Which ones? Also, do you agree with the examples that I've mentioned? Have you come across them as well?
Some examples that I can think of:
When I was a kid, I used to read lots of fantasy books and most times there was a character named Hawthorne, which always was an old, wise wizard (think Dumbledore).
This one applies to any book genre: if the teenager female main character had a tomboyish best friend, her name was either Alex or Sam. Every. Single. Time. Like come on, a name doesn't define your entire personality. Why did her name always had to be a nickname that could also be used for a masculine name? I would've loved to see a tomboy stereotype named Jane or Ciara.
The last example I could think of is the masculine main character in highschool romances. 90% of the times his name was Liam, Noah, Dylan or Lucas. That's it. Weren't authors able to think of any other names? I've always thought Jared, Mason and Zayn are perfect names for this stereotype.
So my question is: have you ever found a name being used for the same kind of character over and over? Which ones? Also, do you agree with the examples that I've mentioned? Have you come across them as well?
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Replies
I've noticed Morgana being commonly used for sorceresses, witches, et cetera. I believe its due to influence from Arthurian Legend.
Also seen Nigel as a stereotypical name for British masculine characters, especially in historical fiction.
Also, Tony and Gina as names for Italian-American characters.
Also seen Nigel as a stereotypical name for British masculine characters, especially in historical fiction.
Also, Tony and Gina as names for Italian-American characters.
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I really agree with all the ones you've mentioned.
Although I haven't come across many witches named Morgana myself, I'm aware that it is used a lot for tat kind of characters. Same thing happens to me with Nigel.
Besides Tony and Gina I could also add Joey as stereotypical Italian-American name in fiction.
Although I haven't come across many witches named Morgana myself, I'm aware that it is used a lot for tat kind of characters. Same thing happens to me with Nigel.
Besides Tony and Gina I could also add Joey as stereotypical Italian-American name in fiction.
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I don't recall encountering a wise wizard named Hawthorne in a fantasy novel.
There is often a dependable good guy named Sam or some variation there of. Samwise Gamgee, Samwell Tarly, Sam Wilson (the Falcon), Sam Winchester, Samuel the prophet in the Bible, Sam Axe in "Burn Notice." I'm not sure if Terry Pratchet's Sam Vimes would fit in this group or not.
In African American novels dealing with trauma, the protagonist or a pivotal character has a word name that is symbolic, i.e. the titular characters in "Beloved" and "Precious" and "Slam" and "Queenie," Starr in the "Hate U Give," Desiree in the "The Vanishing Half." Symbolism in names is longstanding and not limited to any specific genre, but clear word names is a trend that I've noticed lately.
In romance novels (especially ones with action and a paranormal element) the male lead has a name ending with C/K or an N or has a surnamey first name. If a man with a name like Eric/Derek/Dirk makes an appearance he is either the hero or a villain that is obsessed with the female lead.
If the heroine is named Alex or Sam or has a remotely unisex nickname then she is Not Like Other Girls.
There is often a dependable good guy named Sam or some variation there of. Samwise Gamgee, Samwell Tarly, Sam Wilson (the Falcon), Sam Winchester, Samuel the prophet in the Bible, Sam Axe in "Burn Notice." I'm not sure if Terry Pratchet's Sam Vimes would fit in this group or not.
In African American novels dealing with trauma, the protagonist or a pivotal character has a word name that is symbolic, i.e. the titular characters in "Beloved" and "Precious" and "Slam" and "Queenie," Starr in the "Hate U Give," Desiree in the "The Vanishing Half." Symbolism in names is longstanding and not limited to any specific genre, but clear word names is a trend that I've noticed lately.
In romance novels (especially ones with action and a paranormal element) the male lead has a name ending with C/K or an N or has a surnamey first name. If a man with a name like Eric/Derek/Dirk makes an appearance he is either the hero or a villain that is obsessed with the female lead.
If the heroine is named Alex or Sam or has a remotely unisex nickname then she is Not Like Other Girls.
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If a piece of media (literature, movie, etc.) is from East Asia, or simply about East Asian characters (especially Chinese), and they want to reach a Western audience... the main female character is called Mei.
I have encountered this in books (particularly YA books), and most recently in the movie Turning Red (as a nickname for Meilin). Heck, even in House of Flying Daggers, Zhang Ziyi's character was called Zhao Mei (or just Mei in the English dub). It's like outside of Mulan, people don't think Westerners (particularly English-speakers) will identify with a female Asian character unless her name sounds like a common English one (Mae / May).
I have encountered this in books (particularly YA books), and most recently in the movie Turning Red (as a nickname for Meilin). Heck, even in House of Flying Daggers, Zhang Ziyi's character was called Zhao Mei (or just Mei in the English dub). It's like outside of Mulan, people don't think Westerners (particularly English-speakers) will identify with a female Asian character unless her name sounds like a common English one (Mae / May).
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Oh god I've noticed that too and I hate it! Such a lack of creativity and lowkey insulting in my opinion, that they couldn't even bother to try a little harder.
It happens in other Asian cultures too. I've watched a lot of anime and if there's a female Chinese character they're almost always named Mei (or "Mei Mei") and always wearing some form of traditional dress 🙄
It happens in other Asian cultures too. I've watched a lot of anime and if there's a female Chinese character they're almost always named Mei (or "Mei Mei") and always wearing some form of traditional dress 🙄
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Of course authors will make use of name stereotypes when creating characters.
The stereotype of Bertha being fat and overbearing, which began with the nickname for a cannon in World War I, has been continuously reinforced over the years by authors and screenwriters naming large and loud women Bertha.
About 30 years ago I would read the covers of paperback romance novels to see what characters were being named. At that point it seemed to me that most of the heroes has short "surname transfer" names starting with B -- Brent, Brett, Beau, Blaine, Blade, Birch, Blake, Brady, Brody, Bryce, Brock, etc.
And in the USA people who write TV ads seem stuck on a few names whose peak has long passed. I still see ads where a young girl is named Susie, and way more men in TV ads seem to be named Frank than the percentage of Franks there are in real life. I wonder if ad writers think the lexical meaning of the word "frank" will unconsciously lead people to believe an ad with a Frank in it more?
The stereotype of Bertha being fat and overbearing, which began with the nickname for a cannon in World War I, has been continuously reinforced over the years by authors and screenwriters naming large and loud women Bertha.
About 30 years ago I would read the covers of paperback romance novels to see what characters were being named. At that point it seemed to me that most of the heroes has short "surname transfer" names starting with B -- Brent, Brett, Beau, Blaine, Blade, Birch, Blake, Brady, Brody, Bryce, Brock, etc.
And in the USA people who write TV ads seem stuck on a few names whose peak has long passed. I still see ads where a young girl is named Susie, and way more men in TV ads seem to be named Frank than the percentage of Franks there are in real life. I wonder if ad writers think the lexical meaning of the word "frank" will unconsciously lead people to believe an ad with a Frank in it more?
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I've seen more than one Goodreads reviewer complain that the handsome male love interest in historical fiction is named Will too often. I haven't noticed it myself, but given how popular William has always been, it actually makes sense.
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I'm not familiar with that genre, but it makes sense for me since William is a classic and timeless name. I've only come across a couple fictional characters named like that (that I remember) and they were very different (different physical appearance, hobbies, book genre...) so not stereotypical at all from my experience.
But as I said, it might have been overused in genres I'm not that used to read.
But as I said, it might have been overused in genres I'm not that used to read.
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I also have a friend who is likely to stop reading a book, or avoid reading it entirely, if the main male character is named Jack. He thinks it's overdone to the point of cliche with Jack being the all-around can-do hunky hero type.
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I seldom read novels, so I can't speak from experience. But I do recall a conversation years ago with a Canadian woman who had applied, in the 1980s I think, to write romance fiction for Mills and Boon/Harlequin. They sent her some guidelines, the most important being 'If you don't enjoy reading them, don't try writing them', and there was also a list of names suitable for certain characters. Mothers-in-law, expecially nasty ones, needed 1940s names like Barbara: these were not to be used for a young heroine. I don't remember any more, and I have no idea if this advice is still given. Perhaps the genre has changed? But it seems likely that there might well be a list, recommended by publishers, of Names For Heroes; not a failure of imagination by authors, therefore, but publishers trying to read the minds of possible readers.
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You're probably right. I hadn't stopped to think that authors might just use names that know work well for those characters.
On the other hand, using original names would make the characters be easily remembered and quickly associated with the name (for instance, when I think of the name Romeo I can only think of Romeo and Juliet, but if I hear the name Lucas I won't remember any character with that name).
Also, I think authors nowadays try to create original, non-stereotypical characters, so this lists of names suitable for each type of character don't apply any more (usually).
On the other hand, using original names would make the characters be easily remembered and quickly associated with the name (for instance, when I think of the name Romeo I can only think of Romeo and Juliet, but if I hear the name Lucas I won't remember any character with that name).
Also, I think authors nowadays try to create original, non-stereotypical characters, so this lists of names suitable for each type of character don't apply any more (usually).
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