The Importance of Naming

I have a list of names that I keep and add to as I hear or see a name that I like. I also use baby names sites, google, and I have a baby name book, too, but mostly I just hear a name and add it to the list for future reference. I usually have some idea or theme that I want to go with, though, so I don't always even look at my list, but it's different with each doll. The name has to "fit" the doll somehow and sometimes I already have a name picked out by the time it gets home but other times it's few days or even weeks until the doll "tells" me what it wants to be called.

 

I have a huge list of names in a notebook just for naming characters/dolls/Pokemon. It has never failed me - until now that I have to find a delicate, slightly mysterious name for my Leekeworld Ashley. :I My Iplehouse Benny, who is on the way as well, already has a name though; I just haven't decided on a spelling yet - Caramel, Caramelle, Caramella...? But I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, at the latest when I finally hold her in my hands for the first time. xD

During my long history of coming up with characters I've searched for names absolutely everywhere. I've looked through dictionaries, baby name sites, lists of fruits and plants in different languages, even Latin names for insects, animals, and plants... : D

 

I usually name my dolls, but it's primarily a mnemonic thing for me. I have trouble remembering all their stock names, so giving them a name that fits their appearance to me makes it easier for me to keep their photos sorted.

 

I actually had a name picked out but when I got him it just seemed it didn't fit so I started searching and found the name Avalon looked at my doll then at the name...It stuck. His original name Arcani was made his last name.

So now he's Avalon Arcani...
Yes I know what his initials ALSO indicate...

 

I don't name dolls, I keep the original name the doll came with.

 

I've given my dolls names that I like, but they don't currently have much in the way of personalities or characters. I also tend to take a long time picking out names for dolls, so call them by their sculpt name until I do. Unfortunately this seems to result in me calling them by their sculpt name more often than their given name.

One of my major goals for the year is to overhaul the doll collection and I have a feeling certain dolls may end up getting renamed as I hopefully come up with characters for them and really set their place

 

I have named most of mine after semi precious stones because they are precious to me. If I buy a secondhand doll I like to keep the name that the original owner gave the doll.

 

All my dolls, BJD and otherwise, have names. I love names and naming and it's fun to give names to things even if they are inanimate. I've given a name to every computer I've ever had, and I've named my cameras. I've named the occasional house plant, too. (Currently, I have one called Sir Drinks-A-Lot)

I don't think it's an absolute requirement to name dolls. There's no rule that says they need a name, and they're certainly not going to mind if you don't give them one. So, on the "importance of naming" dolls, I rate it pretty low, in general.

Now, I'm 36 years old and not likely to have children, so I have no worries about assigning a potential child's name to a pet or a doll. My dog is called Grace, which is a name I would've given a daughter, if I'd had one. I do, in fact, have a boy doll named Dylan Robert, which is the name I always said I'd name a real-life son if I had one. In the event that I do one day have a child, I could not now call my daughter Grace. My Grace is too much like a child to me already, and I could not give her name to someone else. Dylan, on the other hand, is still a name I'd consider for a real child, since the "oersonality" associated with it is only a fiction created by me.

 

I love looking for names! When I get a doll, first I think about their personality. Right now I'm waiting on a doll and he's going to have a "fun" name, or names that I associate with happy people or things, or something simply cute. I go mostly on google to look around, but also always have names floating around in my head.

 

I ordered my first doll at the end of March, and my second yesterday. the first doll-Melissa, I have renamed Morgaine, because I love all things Celtic. My second doll, Soul Kid Yeon Bee, her name just flashed into my head, and I think it suits her; Delphine.

 

Well my first doll a DoC Tender Zen, Yukichi, was difficult and went through 2-3 name changes before I actually got him but I decided his name worked well afterwords. Then I was going to order a KDF Darae and the name I had in mind just popped out when I first saw her which was Alyvia. I still plan to get her but one of my dream dolls went for sale on the MP and I could resist. I went through name lists, the internet, books, everything before I finally decided to name my Shiwoo Parker.

 

All my dolls shell my preexisting characters, and seeing as I only write fantasy, they all end up with names like 07 and Zenitharius XD

 

I name my dolls by thinking of themes that suit them, and then searching Behind the Name and Etymonline for inspiration. Nouva, for example, has a name that is a combination of 'nouveau' (French for 'new') and 'Eva' (an Italian form of 'Eve'). In my fictional world, many girls have names that are variations on 'New Eve', as a generation of parents found it a subtle way to protest the creation of 'New Eden' camps (where many people are experimented on against their will).

Most of my characters have similar amounts of thought put into their names

 

Ironically, I have had the hardest time trying to think of names for my first two BJDs with nothing really coming to mind. I often like to pick names based off their color schemes, but I just can't think of something so I've been referring to them as their stock names (Luna Rose for my Luna [Rose Full Package] and Emilia for my NYID Emilia).

I've rarely had issues with names so it kind of drives me a bit crazy I'm having such an issue with names for once.

I think giving them a name helps give them a bit more character and makes them feel for personal for you which is why I enjoy doing so. Now if only I could think of good names :P

 

I always named my doll in Japanese. And I would select Kanji that suit his personality. For example one of my doll is name shizuha. It come from two Kanji 静 shizuka which mean serenity and 羽 ha which mean wing. It suits his personality. He is a shy and quiet boy.

 

My dolls are named after existing characters, so they get their names from them. The one OC I had planned I'm not sure I'll ever get now... but her name was to be Daedalene, after Daedalus, Icarus's father who made the wax wings to fly with. She was going to be a steampunk aviatrix, and I was going to try to make her leather and metal wings. I was also briefly planning dolls for my two novel characters, Avedis and Sasha, but that idea is pretty much dead at the moment.

 

I think I went through thousands of name to name my first one. Google baby name and tons of baby name website will turn up. However, sometimes it'll just pop into my head :p

 

I don't think of names when I see molds. like you, I pick up great names all over the place! Scarlett, Imran are two names on the top o my list.

 

Giving a name to a doll is important and I tend to go according certain 'rules' if possible. All of my MNFs have short unisex names (such as Lynn, Shell) except for two (River and Violet). Violet's name is based on his violet hair and River's is a complicated issue (beginning with the word Black and continuing to Phoenix).

One of my big boys (Lys) was named after a friend who is lost, some of the dolls pick their own name (such as Pyrope, once I decided to buy him that was the name constantly popping to my mind). My newest doll got the name Ennui because she looks so sad and bored compared to the rest of them.

 

I love naming things too. I have a list of name ideas for my future children AND a list of name ideas for my future dolls. Most of the names that are on one list are not on the other because to me I think that would be weird. I thought about naming a doll Norah, but I've always wanted to name my own future daughter that (if I am ever so lucky) so I've decided not to.

I have names (first, middle and last) planned out for dolls on my wishlist. My favorite kinds of names are Welsh, Dutch and Irish. I have a lot of dolls planned who have Welsh names...