The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook 2nd Edition

by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Author)

64 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1582979205

ISBN-10: 1582979200

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Character Names

The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook is a one-of-a-kind resource specifically designed with the writer in mind. Inside you'll find:

25,000+ first names and surnames, and their meanings, listed by origin
Names and surnames from more than 45 countries
A reverse lookup of names by meaning
An alphabetical index of names
An explanation of naming practices and historical context for each origin
A list of the top ten most popular names in the United States every year from 1880-2003
Instruction on how to create believable names that fit your characters and your story

This comprehensive guide also includes advice from a number of best-selling authors, including Elizabeth George, Alexander McCall Smith, Homer Hickam, Marian Keyes, Big Fish author Daniel Wallace, and others. You'll get the inside scoop on their naming methods, plus the stories behind the names of their most famous characters.

So throw out your old telephone books and baby-naming guides—The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook meets all your naming needs!

The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sherrilyn Kenyon is the USA Today and New York Times best-selling author of several series, including The Dark-Hunters, Brotherhood of the Sword, The MacAllisters, Sex Camp Diaries and BAD Boys. More than 10 million copies of her books are in print.

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Product details

Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; 2 edition (January 17, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1582979200
ISBN-13: 978-1582979205
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #343 in Books > Textbooks > Reference > Writing Skills
- #831 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature > Creative Writing & Composition
- #1120 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Writing Skills

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Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars

5 star		59%
4 star		17%
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2 star		11%
1 star		8%

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Top Customer Reviews

I would recommend both editions of this book

ByAmazon Customeron February 9, 2016

Verified Purchase

I would recommend both editions of this book. While the new edition has names from more countries and cultures, it has significantly shorter name lists from each country. There are blurbs from authors in the middle of the name lists, which are cool to read and all, but they take up potential space for more names. There is also a list of popular baby names from the 1880's-2003, which is helpful for those who are writing characters for historical fiction.
The second edition is a great companion for the first edition. They both cover different things and the second edition has names from countries that are not listed in the first edition. Both books have great advice on character creation, world building, and writing in general.

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I have loved this book for 20 years or more

ByCynthia Koliciuson May 30, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have loved this book for 20 years or more. My hard copy got ruined and never returned when I loaned it out. I tried to order a new one and Amazon canceled my order to my huge disappointment. As a reference book I really wanted a hard copy but I resorted to giving it a try in kindle format. What a huge waste of my money. It is not even formatted properly to be usable.I can't look up names or even decipher the origins and/or the gender of whatever I am confusingly looking at. If you can get your hands on a hard copy it is worth every penny. Don't waste even your memory space on the kindle version.

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Great book

ByCarla R. Aldersonon January 23, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I could easily copy what I wrote for the 100,000 baby names book. I name baby's and characters and I use this book in the process. It is a very good book. It gives names and their meanings. It has names of different origins.

What I like most about this book is it gives names from Mythology and Arthurian Legand. I love the names from Greek Mythology and from the Arthurian Legend, Lancelot for example I even like the name of his sword Excalibur.

So again, if you are naming a baby or a character for a book or movie and need help choosing a name may I suggest this book.The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook

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Extremely useful

ByChelsea Schmitton May 31, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is AMAZING. I learned so much reading through it and I couldn't be happier. I have recommended this book to fellow writers and even role-players! You get tons of information on how people are named in different cultures and I even found out information that I didn't think I needed!

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The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon

ByLauren Johnsonon November 13, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This book is extremely comprehensive and excellent for seasoned and aspiring writers. The listing by `cultures' is extremely helpful for reference by what writers are actually writing about. It tells you where the names came from and their meanings making choosing a name all that much more fun and appealing.

AND you could also use it for potential baby names!

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Never start writing without it

ByMark E. Cooperon July 11, 2002

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I bought the Character Naming Sourcebook years ago and I have never regretted it. The layout makes finding what I need easy. It resides beside my computer and is never out of reach.
It's a shame this book is no longer in print. I have one or two other name books (nothing as good as this one) but they may be of interest. The first is called The Name Book by Dorothy Astoria--There is some good stuff in this, and the little quote with each name is a nice touch. The second is presumptuously called The Only Baby Name Book You'll Ever Need and is by Heidi Overhill. This one includes with each entry the names and dates of birth of famous people named for that entry.

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A gamer's best friend!

ByBekaon January 30, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I bought this book as a resource for writing fantasy tales & creating D&D characters. Now whenever we start a new campaign, my friends & I take turns leafing through this book for inspiration. It is also a great source of out of the ordinary names for children. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a creative name for any purpose.