1. Chinspinner

    Chinspinner Contributor Contributor

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    Need opinions on a name

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by Chinspinner, Mar 27, 2015.

    I am currently working on my sci-fi piece, and my MC lands on a planet only to discover a human has been ship wrecked there for a number of years. I want his name to give a clear indication of his heritage, but I am concerned that the name I intend to use might be a little of a cliché. The name is Haggis McSporran.

    I would appreciate some feedback on what you think his nationality might be and how you might picture a character with the name Haggis McSporran.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Twist

    Twist Member

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    I immediately get the mental image of an extremely stereotypical Scottish person.
     
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  3. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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    Too corny. Unless the character is intended to be corny that is.
     
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  4. Chinspinner

    Chinspinner Contributor Contributor

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    Dammit, I was aiming for subtle. I was originally going to use Ronald McDonald, which is probably a better option.
     
  5. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

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    A better option, maybe, but not by much.
    You could probably just have his surname be Mckenzie and have that be the end of it.
     
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  6. Boger

    Boger Senior Member

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    Being from the part of the world I live in that tells me it's a Scot and I would never have sought a Scot stranded on a distant planet. It's not specifically cliched for me, even the whole subject of being "cast away" remains attractive, since I seen that movie and the idea of being stranded on an uninhabited island is overused, I've never heard of likewise survivors on remote planets. Not to mention the name doesn't ring any more bells for me, but you might as well go for "Scott", it doesn't really affect the character all to much I suppose. If you ask me.
     
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  7. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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  8. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

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    Isn't "haggis" more often used as the name of a dish based on intestines than as a person's first name? When I Google "haggis name", I see it mentioned as a last name, not a first name--and that's when I scroll past the recipes.

    I'm afraid that I see Elmer Fudd in a tartan. I'd suggest something subtler.

    Y'know, my feeling that you were joking was just the faintest of warnings before I properly read this. I should really pay attention to those faint warnings.
     
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  9. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

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    What about Hamish? Hamish McTaggart

    When I read Haggis McSporran, I immediately thought of Willie from The Simpsons!
     
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  10. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

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    Yeah, if he opened up the first off-world burger joint :-D
     
  11. exoticfabric

    exoticfabric Member

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    In my opinion the only way that Haggis McSporran could work is if if the character is completely ludicrous in a book that is completely ludicrous. Otherwise, it's too ludicrous...
     
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  12. Chinspinner

    Chinspinner Contributor Contributor

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    Oh dear, I hadn't realised this name was already taken. However, having googled Ronald McDonald, I notice that he has red hair, pasty skin and a drink problem, which is quite fitting for my character.
     
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  13. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

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    :eek::D:D

    You honestly didn't know who Ronald McDonald was??
     
  14. Chinspinner

    Chinspinner Contributor Contributor

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    I saw him at a party when I was a child, but I was too busy running away in sheer terror to catch his moniker.
     
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  15. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

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    :rofl::rofl: I know that feeling!
     

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