The Naming of Cats

[naomi_jay]

So I was going through some old files last night and stumbled upon Night an Chaos, a novella I started a couple of years ago and then abandoned for something shiny and exciting. Probably Wild, who can say? Anyway, I re-read it and decided that actually I should finish this thing because I like it a lot. It will probably be my first Kindle effort.

But I have an Issue: the heroine's name. Originally she was called Ryan, because I don't care what anyone says, it can be a girl's name and it's a damn funky one too. But I recall submitting part of Night and Chaos to my writers' group and everyone being very confused over Ryan's gender until about two pages in. Which frankly is not good enough. So Ryan needs renaming. But I can't decide on anything.

I know I don't want a name ending in "y" or "ie" - no Marys, Carries, or Daisies. I want it to be short, nothing that can be turned into a pet name - so no Juliets (Jules), no Katherines (Kathy or Kat), and no Joannes (Jo). I want it to fit well with her surname (McCarthy), and I don't want anything too crazy or exotic.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Oh, and here's a progress meter to add some colour to this post:

9634 / 30000 words. 32% done!

Comments

[skarrah.livejournal.com]

Off the top of my head... Alice, June, Donna, Nina, Paige?

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I looooooove the name Nina!

[cherith.livejournal.com]

Dude, I think Ryan is an awesome name for a girl. Back in the day, there was a Nickelodeon show where a main female character was named Brad, and I loved her.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty hung up on Ryan as a name, but the fact that nearly everyone in my writers' group had problems with it has put me off. Maybe if the story was in third person it wouldn't be so bad, but the opening pages are fairly ambiguous.

It requires further thought!

[cherith.livejournal.com]

Without requiring an infodump, is there a way to give some sort of description of the character, or some sort of mention that would reveal gender? Though, I'd rather wonder about it and have a cool name like Ryan. I guess I'm just weird like that. :)

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Well, not to give spoilers, but the opening scene is Ryan tied up, naked, and being threatened with a knife, so there is some line somewhere about "he drew the blade down my breast..." which I thought was enough of a signifier than she was a woman... Maybe I'm overthinking it?

[cherith.livejournal.com]

Well, that would tell me it was a woman. I mean, a man would say chest, not breast, right?

[eldestmuse.livejournal.com]

Rita? Willa? Hannah? Cara/Kira? Sarah?

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Cara is very cool.

[yolandasfetsos.livejournal.com]

I agree with cherith. I really like that name too, especially for a chick. ;) I don't think you should change it because other people got easily confused. If it's in first person, maybe you could put off having her name mentioned until it's obvious that she's a girl. Just a thought. :)

Oh, and check this out: THIS clearly states that the name Ryan is for both genders. Plus, it has alternate female spellings: here & here. ;)

But if you want some suggestions: Mia, Jane, Cody, Jean, Kira, Lena.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Oh cool, Ryane is quite pretty without being over-the-top girly. Thanks!

[craving-vintage.livejournal.com]

I went to school with some McCarthys. So, I guess, Annie is out. LOL

Umm, I would say Regan, but another gender thing but I really like it.

I was going to say Taylor but again it wouldn't work.

Sorry, Naomi, I am no help at all.

What about Krystle? Krystle McCarthy. I like that! A friend of mine is named Krystle.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Lol, Regan is also a very cool name though!