I have a great head for ridiculous facts, but names are a
whole different ballgame. I try to
place them with faces, but half the time that
doesn’t work. When I’m reading, I
don’t have the visual element to help out. Even if I’m IN LOVE with a story, if I don’t reread it
often, the names seem to go in and right back out. So. These are
names I remember, from stories I love.
Top Ten Favorite (or
Unusual) Character Names
1. Angharad Crewe, or
Harry, in The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley – Harry is one of my most
favorite characters ever, and she also has one of the most unique names… ever.
I still am not sure how to pronounce the mouthful that is her proper
moniker. If anyone has an idea,
let me know in the comments.
2. Suzy
Turquoise-Blue in The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix – Suzy is an
energy-filled ball of loyalty, mischief, and good (sometimes misguided!)
fun. And she has a pretty sweet
surname.
3. Virginia, or
Ginny, in The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle – I love this
book, and I love the bravery and bullheadedness that Ginny displays. Also, I love her name... it is my only sister’s as well. And yes, she
loves this book too. I forced it
on her many years ago.
4. Door in Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman – What a lovely, brief, literal name! Actually, one of the reasons I love
Gaiman so much is his genius in naming his characters. It always is JUST RIGHT for whatever purpose
or world he fashions.
5. Akanesi Afa, or
Canny, or Agnes Mochrie from Mortal Fire by Elizabeth Knox – The power of
names and in knowing your heritage is one of the themes of this beautiful,
layered fantasy, and main character Canny’s multiple identities are its best
mystery.
6. Puddleglum in The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis – Well, I think I’ve waxed nostalgic about
Puddleglum before, but it’s such an obvious, literal fit that it just works.
7. September in the
Fairyland books by Catherynne M. Valente – Ah, September’s adventures in
Fairyland wouldn’t be half the fun if she had an ordinary name, would
they? I do love the idea of naming
a child something out of the ordinary – something that doesn’t have gender
associations but is at the same time classic and easy-to-spell.
8. Marigold in Magic for Marigold by L.M. Montgomery – This peach of a book opens with an entire
clan in uproar over the naming of a baby girl. What shall she be called?! In the end, she’s named after the doctor (a lady doctor, no
less!), and she grows into the loveliness that is Marigold.
9. Elnora Comstock in
A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter – This is one of my
favorite books. I have spent so
much time with Elnora over the years, and shed many tears and smiled many
smiles with her. I can’t forget
her in this roll call, especially when one of the pivotal scenes makes a play
on her name! Oh, she is magnificent.
10. Victoria Wright
in The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand – Another name
that seems to fit its character to a T.
Especially the last name.
Actually it might count as obvious. But we’ve already established that I love obvious. So: Victoria Wright doesn’t like messes
or anything out of place, but she loves her friend, and NOTHING, not even dirt, will keep her from finding him.
What is one of your favorite character names from a book?
18 comments:
Oh i think September is SO pretty
How could I forget Door?!?!?! Great list!
Wow interesting selection. I don't know most of these but some are very good :)
My TTT
I hadn't read The Girl who Circumnavigated when I wrote my list, and now I'm painfully sad that September isn't on it- she's such a wonderous character, and I just ADORE her name. It's so perfect, and what about all the others? My list would have so many of Cathrynne M. Valente's characters in it! (:
I think September and Door are suck interesting names!
Marigold? I love that. I adore floral names. I even like Poppy.
Nice names - I particularly like Door, because it is on the nose and sounds surprisingly good as a name.
(And oh! I am terrible with names. I am, however, excellent on not letting on that I've forgotten someone's name.)
I haven't read Magic for Marigold, but I love that name. I've quite a fondness for floral names!
I don't think I've read alot of these books but they look great! Awesome picks :)
My Top Ten Post!
I have a difficult time remembering character names too. LOVE the name September, even though I need to read those books still.
I LOVE your list. Your names are truly unique, as are your book picks, and I really like that. Love it!
Mary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog
My TTT
I've been meaning to read The Blue Sword for a while now, and you just reminded me. (*adds to library list*) That really *is* an unusual name!
Turquoise-Blue is a pretty cool surname... I'm going to have to check that one out, too! :)
And... of COURSE I love Marigold and September! In fact, that just made me think of a new character name. Yay!
Thanks for sharing, and visiting my blog, too! :D
How did I forget Door? I also love that you mentioned Girl of the Limberlost. It's set in Indiana (where I'm from) and I just got an old copy to read for the first time. Can't wait!
You weren't kidding when you said the names you pick were out there. :D I remember being in love with the name Marigold when I was younger. Out of all the flowers, I wanted my name to be that. Ha.
I really like the name September. :D
Door sounds like a great name. I need to read this book. The only Gaiman book I've read is The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which I didn't love. But Neverwhere seems to be much more popular.
Stephanie @ Inspiring Insomnia
Yes, September is such a great pick! I love 'Turquoise-Blue' as a last name, but then I've always been very fond of names that have to do with colours. I also love the sound of Puddlegum :)
Great list!
A lot of books are new to me. I read Neil Gaiman's Stardust recently, and will definitely read more of his books.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Kero
Oooh I love September! So pretty :)
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