Who is this nameless rat?
He's a sweetheart through and through, but let's just say he's not the sharpest knife in the block. He's the kind of rat who knows not to give out a secret, but can be easily swindled into giving it up without even realizing it. He looks up to grown rats like him, but sees them more as parents than equals. He's lanky, with a gawky build, long necked and unkempt brown fur. He's chews on his claws quite a bit and pulls on his ears when he's nervous. His favorite food is a very sour root called Waterchip and he's been known to fall asleep in the strangest of places!
Rat Naming Rules:
Please no goofy names like Mr. Pickles or Peanut Butter. It can be a common name or something unusual, but I'm going to tell you that Doug the rat will most likely not win! Ha, ha! I like unusual, but not too weird--a name that could translate over to our world, even though it might be considered a bit odd. It really just needs to be something that suits his description. Some examples of my characters names: Juniper, Billycan, Killdeer, Texi, Virden, Suttor, Vincent, Victor, Clover, Cole, Cobweb, Montague, Thicket, Stono...hopefully this will give you an idea of the kind of names that work! Please follow my blog if you don't already by clicking on the google followers link. You can put your entry in the comment section, but please only give one or two name ideas.
On Friday, I'll post the winner and that name (maybe the one you came up with) will be published in Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles!
Naming characters is a favorite part of writing for me, so have fun with this! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
xoxo -- Hilary
How about Milo or Mizel?
ReplyDeleteOh, I like them both!
ReplyDeleteMy two name suggestions are Rooney or Elsworth.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. When I'm silly and or a bit slow (According to my ten year old) She calls me 'Goober' :-)
ReplyDeleteHow about Bob. It's common and for some reason, cracks me up when I hear it. Bob...Bob...LOL. But don't tell my brother-in-law. His name is Bob. =D
ReplyDeleteFun, Hilary! Naming characters is one of my favorite parts, too.
ReplyDeleteDemure (because of its meaning, which fits your rat) or Cotter (which I came to when defining noble, an antonym I liked)
Good luck!
Carolyn! Bob the rat??? :)
ReplyDeleteI love everyone's names so far!
xoxo -- Hilary
Franklin, Jojo, Dunder, Rixford, Boxwood, Charlie, Stanley
ReplyDelete:D
How about the old Welsh name "Owain"? Comes from the Welsh word for "lamb." He sounds like one.
ReplyDeleteLongneck, Snorer, Drowsy, Bumblebore (bumbling, kind of a bore), EarPuller, ChipWit.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, please remember only one or two name choices. If you've already listed more than two don't worry about it. I'll just go with the two I like the best!
ReplyDeletexoxo -- Hilary
Oh, and if you've only entered one, please feel free to add a second if something hits you later! I love everyone's choices!
ReplyDeleteHi! Stop by my blog for your award.
ReplyDeleteWit Feathersword
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love making names up. What fun! Love your blog by the way. It looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back.
www.a-pen-in-neverland.blogspot.com
Noodlenoggin
ReplyDeleteWinged Writer
I like Coriander, but since you already have a lot of C names, I guess... Zero or Grey.
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding a name you like!
I have it.
ReplyDeleteThe winner.
POSSUM!!!!!
How better to celebrate the marsupial kingliness??? :-D
I was going to pick Isabeau in honor of the movie Ladyhawke but that's for a girl, so instead, I will go with "Stealth(y)" as an opposite play on his character. :O)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun little contest! I like the names you have picked out already for your other rats-- very creative!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, Samson? (or Sam for short). I might come up with another one later. I'll have to think about it some more =)
Fredo - The one guy who couldn't keep his mouth shut in Godfather II. "Fredo -- you break my heart." Plus he wasn't too sharp either.
ReplyDeleteSqueeks - I just think it's cute for a rat with a runaway mouth.
Perhaps that should be Squeaks. :) ooops
ReplyDeleteGreat and fun contest, Hilary. Good luck with your deadline :-) I'll ponder a name. Looks like you've had some good suggestions so far!
ReplyDeleteHilary - From your description, he kind of sounds like a "Wendel" to me.
ReplyDeleteHow about RayRay or Scamper (inmoemory of my little Scamper who was exactly as you described!)
ReplyDeleteOkay, there are some names here that are totally full of awesomeness!
ReplyDeletexoxo -- Hilary
Oooh fun.
ReplyDeleteHow about Snug or Snout. Your description about him being easily swindled made me think of the two characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream who is a little easily led and nervous.
Another one (which is a bit ironic considering the description) is Raziel, who is the keeper of secrets.
Ok he sounds like a Wilber to me :-)
ReplyDeleteHow about Gary,Garret,Twiz or Twitch. I love naming characters! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHere's my second idea, Hilary (I promise: no more after this). How about "Gimp"? Gimp is long and lanky and kind of lame and you do it when you're a kid.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to call him Truss - a little tied up but nine tenths of the way to trust.
ReplyDeleteGoozle or Noggin.
ReplyDeleteSylvester.
ReplyDelete(After the famous mouse, Sylvester Antonio that lived under Moonrat's refrigerator)
Shelley
Oh, this is fun! I say Hershey (as in the chocolate bar) or Dudley?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you pick.
Seriously looks like a Herman to me. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you choose.
Umm, this character sounds just like my husband. So my vote goes for Walter...
ReplyDeleteIt's close to what another poster said, but Owen has always struck me as a name for a kind but simple-minded person.
ReplyDeleteSoooo...I've got my noggin' a noodlin'. After much contemplation, I'm going with Scamp, though someone said Scamper previously so the nod should go to them, and my second would be Snoots.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Snitch? Or, maybe Stitch?
ReplyDeleteSound the trumpets becuase I think he could be a Crumpet. No? Ok then, something unique. Nimri?
ReplyDeletePip is a perfectly proper name for a rat. But if this rat sings like a canary, maybe he should be called Ditty.
ReplyDeletemolleesera@yahoo.com
These are some great names and this is going to be hard to decide!
ReplyDeleteSharon, your comment made me laugh out loud! Too funny!
Keep 'em coming!
xoxo -- Hilary
Oh fun!
ReplyDeleteHere's my meager offerings:
Oliver
Ferdinand (I don't know why but he sort of makes me think of the bull that likes to smell flowers)
Topher
Argh, Hilary, anything to distract me from my wip!!
ReplyDeleteHere's a few of my faves:
Knud (Danish for "kind"), Ignatius ("eager") and Miles ("eager to please")
Good luck -- looks like you'll have a tough time choosing this one, lots of great suggestions!
Christina
Nedley
ReplyDeleteor
Johnnyseed
--Wendy
Camembert or Stilton
ReplyDeletei thought of:
ReplyDeleteDANTE
GUNTHER
though i did very much like Piedmont's Milo
You have many MNAY great ones here Hilary, how you're going to choose is beyond me! My rats have totally different names, in a homage to their land and leader, so I can't offer one of theirs to you. Besides,they don't 'fit' into 'our world', as you'd like. But thinking about him, I see someone drawling out:
ReplyDeleteHenry
And since I kew the 'scamper' mentioned above well, who was seriously just like you describe, I vote for that name as my second. :-)
Have Fun!
Snicket. Carlson. Lucas. Morrison. Dickens. I never named rats before but just gave you the names of some of the rat-lovers I know.
ReplyDeleteSampras
ReplyDeleteFor a more adventurous mouse, I'd let you use my dog name: Sidetrip or Trip for short. ;)
Chase - it has energy, excitement and it's pretty short and memorable;-)
ReplyDeleteLewin means beloved friend
ReplyDeleteGillian Scottish Gaelic meaning St. John's servant
and if I could put a third one which I know I can't but if I could
Garrick means oak spear
I might have to pick more than one name and give it to another character! There are some great ones here! It's going to be so hard to decide! Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!
ReplyDeletexoxo -- Hilary
What a cute rat. I must tell you I'm horrendous at naming things - my characters can tell you that!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, how about 'Whistles'?
Not sure if anyone suggested this one yet but I'm going with Finley.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the name Clementine. :) Good luck finding the best fit!
ReplyDeleteI posted this in FB, and here are my picks again.
ReplyDeleteBosworth, Finnegan, or Huxley
It's all late and stuff, but I'd say Stretch, Archibald, Hartnig, Clunder, or Rozzletop. No, don't ask why. I just let the random name generator in my head whirl for a bit, and those are what it spat out. :)
ReplyDelete