Character name generator that fits the person, not just the genre
Random name lists give you "Ethan Blake" again and again. This prompt has your todo.is agent suggest names that match your character's age, background, era and personality, with the meaning, a nickname and a note on how the name sounds next to your other characters.
The prompt
- Suggest 30 names for a character in my story. About the character: [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION]. Setting and era: [SETTING AND ERA]. Cultural background: [BACKGROUND]. The feel I want: [FEEL]. Names already in the story: [OTHER CHARACTER NAMES]. Mix first names and full names, and make them believable for someone born in that time and place. For each name give the meaning or origin, a possible nickname, and a one-line note on the impression it gives. Avoid names that start with the same letter or sound too much like my other characters. Mark your top 5 and say why. Save the list as a Word file.
What to change
- [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION]: Age, role and personality, e.g. "a 62-year-old retired detective, stubborn, dry humor".
- [SETTING AND ERA]: e.g. "Glasgow, 1970s", "a small Texas town today" or "a space station in 2300".
- [BACKGROUND]: Family heritage or culture, e.g. "Scottish-Italian working-class family". Write "any" if it doesn't matter.
- [FEEL]: e.g. "plain and trustworthy", "old money", "sharp and modern".
- [OTHER CHARACTER NAMES]: So the new name stands apart, e.g. "Mara, Callum, Fiona". Write "none yet" if starting out.
Example result
- Character
- Retired detective, 62, born around 1912 in Glasgow, Scottish-Italian working-class family. Stubborn, dry humor. Story set in 1974. Other names: Mara, Callum, Fiona.
- Top 5
- • Angus Rinaldi ("Gus"): Scottish first name, Italian surname from his father's side. Solid and a little gruff, sounds like someone who's seen too much.
- • Tommaso "Tam" Ferrie: Tam is the classic Glasgow short form of Thomas, so the nickname bridges both cultures.
- • Duncan Valente: Valente means "brave". The name feels steady and old-fashioned.
- • Hector Lauder: popular in Scotland in the 1910s; the formal feel suits a by-the-book man gone sour.
- • Archie Corrigan: friendly on the surface, which makes his stubborn streak a nice surprise.
- More options
- • Walter Pacitti: Pacitti is a real Glasgow-Italian family name; Wattie for short
- • Robert "Rab" Coia: Rab is the Scottish nickname; plain and believable
- • Alasdair Moffat: soft-sounding, good for a gentler side
- • Giuseppe "Joe" Nardini: shows the family's immigrant roots openly
- • Norman Baird: very 1910s, a bit stiff
- • James Ross: so common it becomes a character trait
- Names left out
- • Malcolm, Craig, Fergus: too close to Callum and Fiona in sound
- • Marco, Matteo: the M clashes with Mara
- • Liam, Logan: too modern for someone born in 1912
- Quick checks before you choose
- • Say it out loud with the surname and in dialogue: "Gus, sit down."
- • Check the initials don't spell anything odd
- • Search the full name to make sure it isn't a famous real person
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and describe your character, the setting and the names you already use.
- Paste it into todo.is, or send it to your agent from WhatsApp, Telegram or Slack.
- Your agent returns 30 names with meanings, nicknames and its top 5 in a Word file.
- Ask for another round, like "more like Gus" or "only surnames", until one feels right.
Tips for a better result
- Name for the year the character was born, not the year the story happens. A 62-year-old in 1974 has a 1910s name.
- Give each main character a different first letter and syllable count so readers never mix them up.
- Ask the agent to search the full name online before you commit, so you don't accidentally name a villain after a real person.
- Tell your agent "remember my cast list" and it will avoid clashes every time you ask for a new name.
character name generator: FAQ
- How do I choose a good character name? Match it to when and where the character was born, make it easy to say, and make it look different from the other names on the page. Meaning is a bonus, but most readers judge the sound.
- Can I use a real person's name for a character? Common names are fine. Avoid using a recognizable real person's full name in a way that could look like it's about them, especially for a negative character.
- Can it suggest names for sci-fi or other invented worlds? Yes. Describe the world and its languages and it builds names with consistent sounds. For elves, dwarves and other fantasy races, the fantasy name generator prompt goes deeper.
- Should main characters have unusual names? Not necessarily. A memorable name helps, but one that's hard to pronounce can pull readers out of the story. A familiar first name with a distinctive surname is a safe middle ground.
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