You’re in your reading zone all snuggled down to crack that book, hit play, or press start. You are ready for a good story. And you’re getting one. But, that name keeps tickling the edges of your mind.
Sometimes it’s an amazingly awesome name that totally fits the character or the character themselves lift that name to something legendary. Aaaaand, sometimes the name is so bad it makes you do a double take. Makes you kind of wonder if you’re pronouncing it in your head the way the creator intended it. But no matter what you try that is the name of that character from now on.
Below is the Kali Krew’s list of names from fiction of all kinds – the good and the huuuh? Obviously a bad name does not automatically make the story bad it’s just that the names made us scratch our heads a bit.
This list suggested by Eliza
Best
Ash Williams from The Evil Dead
Chosen by Gracie
“One of the instances where a name is kind of bland but the character itself has made the name iconic.” – Gracie
Bill the Galactic Hero from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison
Chosen by Bill
Brrienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Chosen by Eliza
Captain Desiree Quicho from Afro Puffs are the Antennae of the Universe by Zig Zag Claybourne
Chosen by Brian
The Comedian from The Watchmen
Chosen by Bill
Darth Vader from Star Wars
Chosen by Olly
Everyone from Legend of Condor by Jin Yong
Chosen by Brian
“The series I’m currently reading (and loving!), Legend of Condor Heroes by Jin Yong, is a Chinese martial arts fantasy classic. It’s filled with great names.
Just one example:
Cyclone Mei, the antagonist that everyone is scared of due to her heretical kung-fu technique known as Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, is regularly referred to by the nickname Twice Foul Dark Wind, which she shared with her dead husband, Hurricane Chen, whom she is trying to avenge. Both are also known by the names Copper Corpse and Iron Corpse.” – Brian
Merricat from We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Chosen by Gracie
“I loved the name Merricat so much that it inspired my screen name of GracieKat.” – Gracie
Check out GracieKat’s Focus on the Frightful: We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Nada from They Live
Chosen by Olly
Snake Plissken from Escape from New York
Chosen by Shawn
Check out JB Rockwell’s Bad Movie Mayhem: Escape from New York
Zafira (aka The Hunter aka The Huntress) from We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Chosen by Eliza
Worst
Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars
Chosen by Olly
Dr. Manhattan from The Watchmen
Chosen by Bill
Grey Worm from Game of Thrones
Chosen by Eliza
Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
Chosen by Eliza
Jet Stream Sam from Metal Gear Solid Rising: Revengeance
Chosen by Gracie
Princess Shitara from The Lotus and the Gathering Storm by W. Dale Jordan
Chosen by Eliza
“Pro tip. Never create a character name that starts with a four letter swearword.” – Eliza
Check out Eliza’s review of The Lotus and the Gathering Storm
What are some names that caught your attention in whatever way – good, bad or wtf?
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Kali Krew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
Hiro Protagonist – ‘Snow Crash’
Phineous Fogg – ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’
Sherlock Holmes
Captain Ahab
Long John Silver
Ebeneezer Scrooge
Quasimodo