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Help with character names?

I'm writing a story, and my two main characters, both teenage girls, are named Jan and Roxanne. Yeah, I know. They rhyme. It was completely unintentional, but since I realized it I've sort of decided that I should change it. Right? Since it isn't on purpose and it isn't meant to be funny or ironic, I just think it's kind of distracting, but let me know if you think it's okay.

So assuming I'm changing it, I've decided that even though I've had Jan's character invented for much longer, I'm more attached to the name Roxanne and so I think I'm going to change Jan. But I don't want to change it too much, so I'm trying my best to stick with J-names. Here are some names I'm considering and concerns I have about them.

Jane - I think it's a little too pure, because the character is very troubled and a bit, well...easy, sexually.

Jamie - I like it, but her last name is Carter and I think it sounds too much like Jimmy Carter.

Jasmine - A bit too earthy.

Jocelyn (Joss) - I can't decide...

Other considerations: she had two older siblings, Samantha and Nathan, so I want Jan's new name to be similar in style but not similar in sound to these two.

Sorry this is so detailed, but any suggestions would help!

15 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think Jocelyn and Joss as a nickname would be perfect. While Jocelyn is a gorgeous and elegant name, if your character is kind of sexual, than i think Joss is the perfect name for her, it just fits. I also think that is goes really well with Samantha and Nathan. Good Luck!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    If you want to keep both Roxanne and Jan, you could just call Roxanne Roxie. I really like the name Jocelyn though.

  • 5 years ago

    I like how you think Hayden. Your right, its absolutely a tick off when you see these questions posted anywhere on the enternet "I need a name" or "Whats a good name for...". When I brainstormed my book the names came naturally to me. I would choose a name from a favorite book , and choose from another to make an entirely original name (Like "Josseir". I got "Joss" from Gaurdians of Ga'hoole, and mixed it with a name from Prosperoe's Children. Most young writers today spend hours trying to find the perfect name, and half of them know that all they're doing is destracting themselfs from writing. Its rubbish! Almost all young writers have no clue how to even publish a book (I myself spent an entire summer writing details down, asking famouse writers how they did it. and I am a young writer) They dont know how to start or where it ends.

  • 1 decade ago

    Joan

    Jade

    Jodan

    Jennifer

    Jen

    Jessica

    Jess

    Justine

    Source(s): none
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  • 1 decade ago

    Yeah, good thinking deciding to change it from rhyming. I really hate it when the names of two close people go together. My twins name is Tessa, and that's about as close as a sound to Finesse as I can bear.

    Janelle

    Janessa

    Jessalynn

    Joanne

    Jethro

    James

    Jenna

    Jessica

    Jodie

    Joelle

    Jazzalyn

    Jezebel

    Jalice

  • 1 decade ago

    Maybe Jaqueline/Jacklyn? Short: Jackie

    Or Jade/Jada?

    Or, you could change Roxanne to Roxanna and stick with Jan...

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Amanda

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I like the name Jade and it goes well with the last name I mean think about it Jade Carter but it sounds better with Jane

  • 1 decade ago

    Jade

    Jess

    Jean

    Joanna

    Jet

    Jezebel

    Source(s): I'm a writer myself.
  • 1 decade ago

    Janine

    jessica

    julia

    btdubbs, you don't wanna give your characters too fancy names... it'll seem out of place, trust me.

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