Naming Your Character
A name says a lot about a character. It also says a lot about the world he/she is in. Generally, research a name, think about several options, and ask your friends what they think of it.
-Have Resources: BUY A BABY NAME BOOK! If you're gonna be an author, go out and buy a big fat baby name book that includes names from different countries and their meanings. It's a very valuable asset. I picked out the "World of Baby Names." Google translate is a fun way to think of names as well (modify the words).
-Make it Memorable: Main characters, or any character that your readers will mention to others, must have a name easy to say. Catchy names are hard to achieve but give great results. Think of how iconic the names Vash, Yugi, Lee, Yuki, Sakura, Kenshin, Jack, Yuna, Cloud, Howl, Homer, Peter, Cartman, and Kate are. They're easy to say and easy to remember. Try to stay under 3 syllables.
-Name From Within: Make sure you have chosen a name that makes sense with where the character is from. Name characters according to their own world in the story.
-Consider Meaning: Check the meaning of a name before you pick it. To you it may be a cool sounding word, but to other people who know the language it is from, it may be ridiculous. (Aka the girl whose name means "Fragrant Bathroom" in Pita Ten >_<). Also think long and hard about the connotation of a name. Johnny can sound light and comical at times, Jonathan sounds stronger and more mature. I urge you to look up what your characters names mean. If you name someone Pilate, and you get a Bible-buff reading your stuff, they're gonna expect things of that character right off the bat. (Pilate condemned Jesus to be crucified).
-Be Original: Never use trite names (unless you want your piece to loose all dignity). Naming a lion girl leoette is just shameful (Smurfette, the only girl smurf...). Avoid using -ette, a, and other such things to turn a name or word into a girl's name. They deserve their own name! Also, adding a "sir" "lord" "miss" "mr" in front of a trite name does not make it any less trite. Some names are so common or overused they don't mean anything anymore. These bring the reader to your character thinking "Hm. Another one of those." Also avoid blatantly naming someone what they are unless you do it very well. The only artist I have seen get away with this is Osamu Tezuka, because he is so consistent. (Dr. Elephant, guy with big nose. Dr. Mustache, guy with mustache)
-Using Honorifics: IF your world supports this kind of cultural language, you may use honorifics. This means using -san, -sama, -chan, -kun, -dono, etc. This is used Japan. If your manga is not set in Japan (or a place based off such a culture), do NOT use them unless you are writing in Japanese. Just because manga comes from Japan doesn't mean you have to copy them. Now, if you are working within your own manga world and the society uses such thing, go for it. Just don't use them because you think your manga will sound cooler for no reason. In fact, never do anything because it's cool for no reason. :D
-Have Resources: BUY A BABY NAME BOOK! If you're gonna be an author, go out and buy a big fat baby name book that includes names from different countries and their meanings. It's a very valuable asset. I picked out the "World of Baby Names." Google translate is a fun way to think of names as well (modify the words).
-Make it Memorable: Main characters, or any character that your readers will mention to others, must have a name easy to say. Catchy names are hard to achieve but give great results. Think of how iconic the names Vash, Yugi, Lee, Yuki, Sakura, Kenshin, Jack, Yuna, Cloud, Howl, Homer, Peter, Cartman, and Kate are. They're easy to say and easy to remember. Try to stay under 3 syllables.
-Name From Within: Make sure you have chosen a name that makes sense with where the character is from. Name characters according to their own world in the story.
-Consider Meaning: Check the meaning of a name before you pick it. To you it may be a cool sounding word, but to other people who know the language it is from, it may be ridiculous. (Aka the girl whose name means "Fragrant Bathroom" in Pita Ten >_<). Also think long and hard about the connotation of a name. Johnny can sound light and comical at times, Jonathan sounds stronger and more mature. I urge you to look up what your characters names mean. If you name someone Pilate, and you get a Bible-buff reading your stuff, they're gonna expect things of that character right off the bat. (Pilate condemned Jesus to be crucified).
-Be Original: Never use trite names (unless you want your piece to loose all dignity). Naming a lion girl leoette is just shameful (Smurfette, the only girl smurf...). Avoid using -ette, a, and other such things to turn a name or word into a girl's name. They deserve their own name! Also, adding a "sir" "lord" "miss" "mr" in front of a trite name does not make it any less trite. Some names are so common or overused they don't mean anything anymore. These bring the reader to your character thinking "Hm. Another one of those." Also avoid blatantly naming someone what they are unless you do it very well. The only artist I have seen get away with this is Osamu Tezuka, because he is so consistent. (Dr. Elephant, guy with big nose. Dr. Mustache, guy with mustache)
-Using Honorifics: IF your world supports this kind of cultural language, you may use honorifics. This means using -san, -sama, -chan, -kun, -dono, etc. This is used Japan. If your manga is not set in Japan (or a place based off such a culture), do NOT use them unless you are writing in Japanese. Just because manga comes from Japan doesn't mean you have to copy them. Now, if you are working within your own manga world and the society uses such thing, go for it. Just don't use them because you think your manga will sound cooler for no reason. In fact, never do anything because it's cool for no reason. :D