1. NigellaStory88

    NigellaStory88 Banned

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    Which character name sounds better?

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by NigellaStory88, Mar 5, 2018.

    Am just wondering which character sounds better? Having trouble deciding which. The names are "Maureen" or "Marina".
     
  2. The Piper

    The Piper Contributor Contributor

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    Personally, I think Marina. But something like this definitely depends on the character herself.
     
  3. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    Neither.
    Maureen doesn't do anything for me, and Marina isn't a proper name at all; it's a place to moor yachts and small boats.
    I would much prefer, Marcy. It's easy on ears and would be a good name for a protagonist.
     
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  4. Alastair Woodcock

    Alastair Woodcock Active Member

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    I think we need more info.

    Maureen to me conjures up an image of a down to earth woman, probably a mother. Someone homespun, married with several kids and a doting husband. Marina sounds altogether more dashing. She could be part-alien or foreign, or with foreign connections (think Marina Oswald). If your character is a spy, she's Marina as Maureen just doesn't cut it. If however she is a mother of eight in a large catholic family that live in Chicago, Maureen IS her.
     
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  5. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    Marina isn't more dashing. It's a god damn place to moor yachts!;)
     
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  6. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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  7. matwoolf

    matwoolf Banned Contributor

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    Maureen has become more of a parody name in the UK. Maureen O'Hara in the 1940s - grandmothers/gangster's moll 1960s/glamour model/only fools & horses
     
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  8. EstherMayRose

    EstherMayRose Gay Souffle Contributor

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    There are lots of people named Marina. To me, it speaks of a young woman/teenager, very sweet and pretty, but good at getting hands-on. Rosy cheeks, dimples, fair hair, that sort of thing.

    Maureen conjures up an image of a woman in her forties at least, with dark hair and a round, pleasant sort of face, dimples again, and twinkly dark eyes. (Perhaps Marina's mum!) It's a sturdy, practical sort of name.

    But of course, all this depends when your book is set. All those women with "granny names" (Maureen, Nancy, Elsie) were teenagers once.
     
  9. GlitterRain7

    GlitterRain7 Galaxy Girl Contributor

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    Ultimately, we don't know anything about this character, so we're probably all biased on what we ourselves like better, and what images we conjure up when we hear these particular names.
    With that said, Marina reminds me of some teenage girl who is probably from a wealthy family, wears a lot of jewels, and is a "daddy's girl" who gets that $800 prom dress and becomes prom queen. Also, I listen to a singer called Marina and the Diamonds. That music comes to mind when I hear that name.
    Maureen sounds more mellow and soft spoken. Like maybe someone who lives in a cottage with one of those water wheel things. Perhaps she likes to walk barefoot in the creek, and look up at the stars in the night sky.
    Me, personally, I like Marina better. But, if I was going for that more mellow, down to earth feeling name, I'd choose Maureen.
     
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  10. OrangeRosie

    OrangeRosie New Member

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    Is your character adventurous? If so, then Maureen sounds nice. Or if she likes the sea, then Marina. I sometimes look up name meanings in relation to some of my characters' personalities to help me decide on a name.
     
  11. soupcannon

    soupcannon Active Member

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    1. noun; the act or process of locating.
    I feel like I should respond with something about how I'd like to moor my yacht in that Marina, but I'm far too classy.
     
  12. NigellaStory88

    NigellaStory88 Banned

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    Thanks for all the responses guys. Have to admit that im leaning more towards Marina for a daughter-like character around 20+plus and Maureen for a mother-style figure
     
  13. james82

    james82 Active Member

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    How about Mariette? I don't know I just thought of that.
     
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  14. NigellaStory88

    NigellaStory88 Banned

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    yes i do kind of like that one. its interesting alright.
     
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  15. james82

    james82 Active Member

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    Awesome.
    Go for it!
    It seems like it may be a more unique name than the others!
     
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  16. TheRealStegblob

    TheRealStegblob Kill All Mages Contributor

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    It's also worth noting that Marina is also a proper given name, not just one of those weird 'words that people use to name their kids' kind of things like 'Flower' or 'Mountain'.
     
  17. NigellaStory88

    NigellaStory88 Banned

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    Nice!
     
  18. james82

    james82 Active Member

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    I had a character in one of my stories named Marlin, and for an obvious reason,
    as that is a name that refers to a fish.. I eventually had to drop it.
    I went with Angelo instead.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2018
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  19. WaffleWhale

    WaffleWhale Active Member

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    I've never liked the name Marcy. It either sounds like a stuck up, British child or a one dimensional wife in a poorly written story.
     
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  20. EstherMayRose

    EstherMayRose Gay Souffle Contributor

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    Personally, I can only hear "Marcy" in an American accent in my head.
     
  21. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    For me too.
    A waitress at a dive diner perhaps.:)
     
  22. EstherMayRose

    EstherMayRose Gay Souffle Contributor

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    She was one of the backup singer kids in the musical version of School of Rock.
     
  23. WaffleWhale

    WaffleWhale Active Member

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    That's such a good musical.
     
  24. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

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    "Maureen" is heavily identified with people of Irish ancestry, so if that's what your character is, go for it. "Marina" is more generically European, and is a common name in Russia, Nordic countries and, to a lesser extent, Mediterranean countries, notably Italy and Greece. It's a safer bet if you want to keep you character's origins less certain.
     
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  25. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    I think it's a legitimate Spanish name, no? I believe I knew one girl of Italian descent called Marina at school.

    Anyway, I like neither name. Maureen is an old lady's name - the only Maureens I ever knew were old. And Marina is... I dunno, plain.

    Personally, I love the name Mariana. It has much more flare.

    But anyway between Maureen and Marine, I'd vote Marina. Given the choice, I'd go for Mariana instead though :) Speaking of which, Ariana sounds even better.
     

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