**My theme for this year’s
A to Z Challenge is THE NAME GAME. Everything you’d want to know about naming
characters.**
Most names will only
work for one gender. Boys have boy names and girls have girl names. But this
isn’t always the case. There are also plenty of names out there that can work
for a boy or a girl. These names are called unisex names, since they are not
gender specific. While some may be used more often for one gender than the
other, it is still possible to use them for both. So why not give your
character one?
An expecting parent may
choose a unisex name because they really like it and it will work no matter
what gender their child is. But as a writer, you already know the gender of
your character. So why choose a unisex name? The simple answer is just that you
like the name and it fits the character (or the character tells you his name
and you have no say in it).
FUN FACT: Unisex names are illegal in Iceland (with exactly one
exception). There are preapproved male and female lists made by the Icelandic
Naming Committee.
There probably aren’t
going to be a lot of situations where your story will require you to pick a
unisex name for your character (unless you’re writing something where you don’t
want your character’s gender known). Like most other names, it should just be
because you like it. The way it sounds or its meaning should just fit your
character. Trying to force meaning out of the fact that your character has a
unisex name may actually be risky.
The name itself really
should have nothing to do with the character’s gender, sexuality, or even just
how they behave. For example, giving your girl a unisex name because she’s a
tomboy. It’s perfectly fine to give her that name, but probably not to point it
out, or to make it seem like your character acts this way because of her name. You may get a few readers rolling their eyes.
A unisex name can be
fun to use, though. Maybe you choose a name that’s usually a boy’s and give it
to a girl, and maybe that just adds a bit of quirkiness to her character. Maybe
two characters meet for the first time and one is surprised at the gender of
the person they meet, having only heard their name. Hilarity ensues. Who knows?
WHAT I’VE DONE: Oh come on, do I even have to say it? Oh, all
right, some of you may be new here…I feel like there should be fireworks or
something…
*kicks muse* Weren’t
you supposed to set up the pyrotechnics??
*snooooooore*
I’m pretty sure he’s
faking. Anyhoo, my muse/MC has a unisex name: Jordan. I’m really fond of unisex
names and I have no idea why. I’ve also used Madison, Cameron, and Jamie (I
think that’s it…for now…).
Have you ever given a character a unisex name? For a full list, check
out Behind the Name!