: Re: Naming characters: Physical v. Personality Suppose my fictional character is a plastic penguin which happens to be very pompous. What do you believe is a better way to name a character? 1.A

@Heady158

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I think the most important way to go about naming a character at it is to think which aspect of the character is more important to the story and how do you want to present it? Choosing either name will give the audience an expectation that the named trait is the key defining characteristic of the penguin and they will expect it to play into the story. This expectation can, however, be used for misdirecting the audience so calling them Plastic Penguin will initially hide their pompous nature.

Are plastic creatures looked down upon in your story world? Has this penguin struggled against this prejudice defining the character they are today meaning they are proud to be plastic? Alternatively is the fact they are plastic inconsequential and their pomposity far more important?

If we look at Little John from Robin Hood mythology this name works on a couple of levels:

As a misdirect for a joke given the character's actual size.
Given the funny nature it shows the endearment his allies have towards him.
Also later fits the theme the bandits are not what they seem, they rob but they give it to the poor.

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