Do you use a baby name book to help you name your characters?

I try to think of names that, in a way, reflect on the character's personality...

Yes but not always. I do when I am just looking for any name without meaning. I'm writing a book now about a little girl who is writing in her diary and all the characters have average names. It was the hardest to figure out since none of the names had any meaning, so i just took some random names from a baby name book that I bought a few years ago.

I always think of my own names. Once in a while I'll sit for a good twenty minutes before a name comes up. But in the long run it helps.

What I did for a long time was read history books, there I learned the names of ancient god's, creatures and heroes of medieval, Greek, and Roman times.

I also look into the Bible for a few names. [Yes the Bible has some of the best names I have ever seen.]

I don't use a book, but often when I'm searching for names to use I'm directed to baby name websites where there are lists and lists of names.

I find it really helpful.

I use a website called Seventh Sanctum, it gives you randomly generated names so you don't have to search. You can always look up what the name means later in a baby names book.

Boy: Kennit, from Robin Hobb's "The Liveship Traders" series. He's a pirate :D He wants to be king of the pirates... great character. Although perhaps not a good role model. Girl: I'm tempted to say "Cimorene", from Patricia Wrede's "Dealing with Dragons".... but mostly because I just love the character so much. And the books are so funny :) ...yeah, I'll stick with that.

I do!! It helps a lot , and if i decide I don't like the name I can always go back and change it. But I also make sure it has meaning and represents my character (the book I have lists meanings, its very handy :D)

babynameguide.com is what I used. My main character is named Kamaria Athanasia (First & middle name...Parents wanted an original name, so I searched for one)

The name means Moonlight Immortal.She's not a vampire or anything, just a Pagan witch.

if a want a weird name of say an elf or vampire or some other supernatural creature, i use a translator and pick a random language and translate what the traits of my character are, such as weak, strong, pretty, or swift. someone who is fast would be named ātrs, "Fast" in Latvian. if i want a regular name, i use a baby book, or search the internet

That's a good idea.

The meaning of the baby name may best fit your character (: