I'm actually having some trouble coming up with names for the supporting characters in my story. Mostly because its a Japanese kind of setting and all the characters are of the Japanese origin. I was wondering what the best way to come up with good names was for you guys. I usually like to make up the names but I've begun to realize how much harder it is to do that. That's why I was wondering if anyone had any advice to give for coming up with these character names. The characters I have in mind are a few teachers at the twin's private school, the twin's parents, a good number of family members who can support the everyday trauma they have to deal with too... and plus the school nurse and the principal... and also a few of the bullies that pick on the twins too. There are a lot of names to come up with and I want to make sure I can come up with some right ones for my story. So yeah, I'm only looking for some advice to how you guys come up with these names. ^^
I usually use baby-name searches or search the meaning of names. (I don't always end up using a name because of its meaning. I just start there and find a name that sounds nice.) You could look up "list Japanese names" in the Google search bar and start there. =) I do this for both first and surnames.
I do the same as FoxPaw, I use baby name search engines. I read through and use (or note to create my own list for future reference) names that sound nice to me (at least from the way I prononce them). This - http://www.babynames.com/ - is the site that I go to first, because you can search the origans of names or search a meaning. You can use the site to search japanese name and it tells you whether there male, female or unisex. If there's a praticular beginning or ending you want for the character's name, you can also search that. I have two other baby name sites bookmarked, but that's the one I keep going back to. Hope it can help you. You could also take not of names you like from books, movies cartoons etc that you like. I've done that.
I do the same as FoxPaw, I use baby name search engines. I read through and use (or note to create my own list for future reference) names that sound nice to me (at least from the way I prononce them). This - http://www.babynames.com/ - is the site that I go to first, because you can search the origans of names or search a meaning. You can use the site to search japanese name and it tells you whether there male, female or unisex. If there's a praticular beginning or ending you want for the character's name, you can also search that. I have two other baby name sites bookmarked, but that's the one I keep going back to. Hope it can help you. You could also take not of names you like from books, movies cartoons etc that you like. I've done that. [Posted Twise :S]
You can also use a romanji translator if you want the names to be unique and manga-sounding. However, I've forgotten the site...
