Thinking that a great place to research authentic sounding names for characters would be London’s court records, I looked at the Old Bailey website. I found names of criminals listed during the time frame I wanted, which is 1809 to 1820. Occasionally I’d find a colorful name and I became suspicious. Pre-fingerprints and ID cards, would a criminal be slightly tempted to make up a name, or two, for himself?
Then I went to marriage register records from the early 1800’s and found less colorful names, but still interesting. I don’t think the name Owen Owen was a typo.
From a history book concerning the late 1700’s in the USA, I found the name Laodicea, and jotted it down.
In more local history, I learned our outlaws changed their name on occasion. Outlaw Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley.
But character names are fiction and I can use my imagination. Melina, Thessa and Bellona are the heroines in my first three books. Then there’s Beatrice, and if you’ve read the story, you’ll understand completely why the name fit her so well.
Then I went to marriage register records from the early 1800’s and found less colorful names, but still interesting. I don’t think the name Owen Owen was a typo.
From a history book concerning the late 1700’s in the USA, I found the name Laodicea, and jotted it down.
In more local history, I learned our outlaws changed their name on occasion. Outlaw Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley.
But character names are fiction and I can use my imagination. Melina, Thessa and Bellona are the heroines in my first three books. Then there’s Beatrice, and if you’ve read the story, you’ll understand completely why the name fit her so well.
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