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HelpRe: Names and stereotypical characters
in reply to a message by Nix
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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