Customer Reviews

First Name Reverse Dictionary: Given Names Listed by Meaning

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this dictionary of first names has become indispensable to me as a writer. it is much easier to find a significant name for a character with this reverse book than it is by slogging through pages of alphabitacal names with their meaning. the book is cross-referenced well and has concise but detailed entries. it's a worthwhile investment!

If you are a creative writer and have problems assigning names to characters, this may be what you need. The meanings are listed alphabetically, followed by the names connected with those meanings. The index of names in back refers you to all the meanings associated with a paticular name. It's a great reference.

This book is indispensable to creative writers, especially for those who struggle for names. There is a durable, hard cover, plenty of names to choose from, and an index in the back. However, be forewarned that after investing in this reference, you may be stunned at how thin the volume is. Amazon's description says 275 pages, and it is accurate. However while ordering you may find yourself in such a hurry to buy it that when you receive a dictionary that is about the size of an average.... I don't know. You know those 3 for 2 specials they have in bookstores? It might be the size of one of those, if you took the average thickness.

It doesn't even come close to an inch thick with the hard cover. I honestly thought I had gotten the wrong book in the mail this afternoon. In spite of this surprise, there is a lot of well organized information in the book, and you'll probably be able to find it faster than if it was on a computer program some where. I mean think about it-- boot the program, wait for Windows Vista to start it, maybe it crashes, type in a name or key word, maybe you spell it wrong... you get the idea.

Some things are just better on paper, and this is one of them. Packed with names and meanings, light enough to throw in your backpack with your netbook, good clear print, durable cover that will last a lifetime... I don't think there is a more valuable resource out there for creative writers. I'm not sure I'd recommend this alone for baby names, but I don't have experience naming a child, so your mileage may vary in that respect. Bottom line: If you're a creative writer, get it soon, and if you have trouble coming up with character names, get it now. This is going on my shelf of essential creative writing tools, and it should be on yours as well.