Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:28:24 -0700

I've named my serial killer David James Gentry. I love that name as a serial killer name but my MC is his step-daughter. She and everyone who knows him personally calls him Dave. But as I'm getting further along I'm hating the casualness of the name Dave. It just seems to fall soft every time she says it/thinks it. David doesn't feel right either. Opinions? Better name suggestions for a first name? I'm definitely keeping the James Gentry. I'm to keep writing as I have it now, but I'm just pondering over a change for revisions.

Re: Serial Killer's name

CAByrnes — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:03:23 -0700

Maybe a first name that's usually a last name. I've always liked Bentley myself.

Re: Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:05:36 -0700

Oh that's funny. I was JUST thinking about the name Bentley the other day. Maybe it is meant to be! I'll try it out, see if it feels right. Thanks! Although Bentley Gentry is kind of a tongue twister. I'd be willing to give up the last name provided I can find another I like as much.

Re: Serial Killer's name

SpiritofClyde — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:12:54 -0700

Something out there. One of my serial killers is called Thaddeus.

Re: Serial Killer's name

2012Jarrett — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:06:57 -0700

My serial killer is actually the main character. His name is Clay Larson and I think it seems like a good serial killer name.

Re: Serial Killer's name

beautifulidiotmusic — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:13:18 -0700

Willard just came to mind as a good name. or Cletus. Clive? Clyde?

Re: Serial Killer's name

Obscurite_Asile — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:26:21 -0700

Think about it this way. His parents didn't know that Dave was going to be a serial killer when they named him.

Re: Serial Killer's name

poysen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:24:48 -0700

This. I always get a little peeved when people think their killers have to have some odd, evil sounding name. This just isn't true. Looking at some of the past serial killers in history supports this. Ted (Theodore) Bundy Jeffery Dahmer. Ed Gein Wayne Gacy. Richard Ramirez. Those are all run-of-the-mill average names. There's nothing screaming killer about any of them and chances are you know at least one Jeffery in your life. Chances are also they aren't killers. People name their children long before they know who or what they will be in life. Never has a parent said "Oh, he's going to be a serial killer. Let's name him Damian." In fact, naming your characters in such a fashion makes them stand out like a sore thumb in the novel and if the killer's identity isn't to be revealed until later, well, you've already let the cat out of that bag with odder/evil sounding names. For what it's worth "Dave" is fine, but if you dislike the name by all means rename him, but please don't do it so he sounds more like a killer or more evil.

Re: Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:16:45 -0700

That was my thought too when I named him originally. I didn't want to give him a scary sounding name. I was thinking along the lines of Ted Bundy and Gacy. I wanted him to come off as an anybody. I guess now that he's gotten a lot scarier in the novel I'm thrown by the name mentally. But I'll ride it out and see if I think of something that sounds both stronger to me and still is a normal name or if I'll stick with David/Dave. I never wanted anything way over the top obvious, no Damian or Dante or anything! Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas!

Re: Serial Killer's name

beautifulidiotmusic — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:36:14 -0700

i think the point was "Dave" sounds unusually non-threatening, not that he felt he had to call him Lucifer or something. And the cliche is that serial killers have three names. I think he wanted to play with that. Also, it's Jeffrey, not Jeffery.

Re: Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:11:04 -0700

[quote=beautifulidiotmusic] i think the point was "Dave" sounds unusually non-threatening, not that he felt he had to call him Lucifer or something. And the cliche is that serial killers have three names. I think he wanted to play with that. Also, it's Jeffrey, not Jeffery. [/quote] Yes exactly what I meant.

Re: Serial Killer's name

poysen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:32:26 -0700

Which is exactly what I was referring to... A child is not named to be "threatening"at birth. They are named whatever the parents like, perhaps even after a relative. My reply still stands. I agree that the Damian thing was a bit over the top for an example, but I was trying to go to the opposite of the mundane name spectrum. As for the spelling, I know. Simple typo that still can't be edited. Wish they'd add that feature in this year it's quite maddening. Some serial killers have triple names, but not too many from my current recollection. I picked up on that, too, but again it would immediately give away a killer in my mind with the triple name. *shrug* Which is something you might want to consider if it's a mystery where you are looking for who did it. If you are doing a suspense or thriller then that doesn't really matter.

Re: Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:53:09 -0700

They know who it is early on, it is a suspense not mystery for the majority. I do appreciate ALL the comments and I'm taking them all into account. But just know I am NOT trying to give him a terrifying name. I just was thinking maybe his name didn't quite fit his character and that is important to me. I am one who makes a lot of mental associations with names and it influences my reading and writing. Be that right or wrong.

Re: Serial Killer's name

poysen — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:58:04 -0700

Gotcha. Them mixing the forum between mystery and suspense and thriller makes replies a bit tougher as it's hard to advise not knowing which of the trio you fall into since they would handle this all in a different manner. I'm used to it being mostly mystery as it has been in past years. My bad there. :P You do know his character better than anyone, and since the reader knows him early on that's a plus for a different name. Also to take into consideration is if his name he uses is his birth name or a name he adopted as per his killing. Such as the BTK killer. In addition, the daughter may or may not be aware if it's real or not. Just a suggestion. :) You'd think she'd likely know, but some people are pretty sneaky and can get something like that by those that are closest to them.

Re: Serial Killer's name

CAByrnes — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:02:49 -0700

One reason serial killers end up being known by three names is that the press wants to make sure a serial killer doesn't get misidentified with some innocent person whose first and last names are the same. Oh, and speaking of killers named Dave, one of the most notorious cases in New Mexico involved David Parker Ray, a multiple sex offender who police believe was also a serial killer but were never able to pin anything on.

Re: Serial Killer's name

chandrabangsa — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:59:44 -0700

umm...Heron? i always love that name though im not sure if it's quite fit for a murderer's name. i mean, it's a gentle, innocent bird.

Re: Serial Killer's name

UCF612 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:11:57 -0700

[quote=chandrabangsa] umm...Heron? i always love that name though im not sure if it's quite fit for a murderer's name. i mean, it's a gentle, innocent bird. [/quote] Hmm I actually really like that. Thanks!

Re: Serial Killer's name

Princess Binky Lemontwist — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:02:41 -0700

Don't some serial killers get nicknames? You could refer to him as his street nickname instead of Dave. XD

Re: Serial Killer's name

premrao — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:53:23 -0700

Firstly, serial killers start of like anybody else with ordinary names. I would go for 'George' as you want to retain Gentry. With their killings comes the publicity and a tag is hung on their name. If he has been a slick killer and not a crude one, the media will hang the tag " Gentle" on him. He now is George " The Gentle" Gentry, to sarcastically proclaim how gentle, he is not!

Re: Serial Killer's name

paulinedurr — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:04:33 -0700

If you examine previous famous serial killers names you'll find that they aren't really out of the ordinary, and I think that would be a deciding factor of what you finally choose. You can get ideas by reading some crime resources like home security systems, tru-tv's crime library, or just go to a random name generator until you find one you like!

Re: Serial Killer's name

KellyinCA — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:48:28 -0700

WAYNE. Seriously, more serial killers have the middle name Wayne than any other name. Also, I tend to not name my characters when I'm writing because it makes me stop and go AHHHHH for too long. Instead I name my killers and victims after the famous person I think they most resemble. I had to kill a lot of blondes in November in this novel and I always fear it's going to get out and I'll appear to be a horrible stalker.... Oh well!