Choosing names for each character in a novel is grand fun, but also painstaking work. The names have to be unique, fit the character’s personality, and reflect any heritage they have. They also have to sound very different. There is nothing more confusing than reading a story with characters with similar sounding names such as Jennie, Janie, and Jeanie.
I use an alphabet chart to help me make sure no two names sound too much alike. I put the name under both the first name and last name to avoid over use of a starting letter. I also like to include a brief note on who the character is to jog my memory.
Here is my working name chart. I will return to it often to add or change names as I write the novels.
| STARTING LETTER | FEMALE NAMES | MALE NAMES |
| A | Avery, Summer bk1 Allegra Morales (Kate Patterson)S23 | Alex Harris (bk2 hero) Angelo Silva b2 Cat’s bro Adam Young marine shop clerk B1/2 |
| B | Betty Flowers Bk1 preschool teacher | Young, William Bk 3 Zoo Boy Burke, Jason Bk 2 new salmon guy |
| C | Cat [Catalina] Silva Bk2 | Campbell, Gary Bk1 Charles Cully Teed Bk1 villain Cowling, Thomas B2 villain |
| D | Dolores Moses Bk1 divorced wife | Sgt. Douglas Murray Bk2 police officer |
| E | Eagles, Victoria Bk1 Ellie [Helen] Harris Bk 2 6 yr daughter to Alex | |
| F | Flowers, Betty Bk1 preschool teacher | Frank Silva B2 Cat’s bro |
| G | Gracie Moses, Bk1 Gil’s twin sisterX | Gary Campbell Bk 1 Jud’s co-pilot Gilbert Moses Bk 1 marine biologist |
| H | Helen Harris B2 dead wifeX Harris, Olivia Rostard B2 | Harris, Alex Bk2 Harris Logan B2 Harris, Matt B2 Harris, Nick B2 |
| I | Ingrid Thibault, hairdresserB1 | |
| J | Jason Burke Bk 2 new salmon guy | |
| K | *Kate Patterson S23 Bk2 Café owner | Old Man Keddy Summer’s landlord B1 Kenneth Ross B2 Aquarium guy |
| L | Lissie (Lisa) Moses autist 5 yr old B1 | Logan Harris S23 B2 |
| M | Mandy Dunn Bk2? *Madsen, Rose Bk 2 | Moses, Gilbert J Bk2 Murray, Douglas Bk 2 police Sgt Matt Harris B2 Milo Pera, body guard SS23 Max Rostard, Olivia’s son MacDonald, Zac B2 Cowling security |
| N | Nan Campbell Bk1 Gil’s landlady Nora MacKenzie Elliot (Mack) Bk3 | Nick Harris B2 |
| O | Olivia Rostard B2 Alex’s sis | Owen Young, Bk 1 drunkard lobsterman |
| P | Mia Paquette Bk2 School Teacher Patterson, Kate S23/Bk 2 cafe | |
| R | Rose Madsen Bk 2 wise woman | Brad(ley) Reese Rob Silva Bk 2 Rostard, ex-Sid, Rory 9, Peter, 6 Teddy 4 |
| S | Summer Avery Bk1 activist Silva, Cat Bk2 marine bio | Silva, Angelo B2 Silva, Frank B2 Silva, Rob B2 Sinclair, Marshall SS23 Boss Man |
| T | Thibault, Ingrid Bk1 hair | Teed, Charles Cully Bk1 Thomas Cowling, CEO Cowling Seafood Bk2 villain Teddy Rostard Olivia’s son B2 |
| U | ||
| V | Victoria Eagles Bk1 housekeeper | Vincent Oliver Bk3 villain |
| W | Will Eagles, Bk1 murdered husband William (Will) Young Bk3 | |
| X | ||
| Y | Young, Owen Bk1 Young, Will B3 Young, Adam | |
| Z | Zac MacDonald Bk1 Cowling guard (Zac-a-doodle ) Zbirak, Stan ss23 | |
Names in BOLD are Main Characters. Names in Italics belong to deceased characters. Updated Aug 2024
If you would like a blank ABC Name Chart for your own story bible, here’s one for you.
Tide Harbor Suspense by Zara West 