I'm thinking of a story with the main person (a girl) named Kairi in it, but for another important role (a boy role) I have the name Kai. But I really suck at names -- especially for boys, so do you have any similar but different suggestions? Also do you think it's nice to use Japanese in the story? Like someone who likes the language and annoys people by using Japanse words or something? And not in the kanji characters but e.g. writing "mite" (which means "look")? Thanks!
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55,005 / 50,000
Mei 14, 2008 - 14 40
As for the name, try http://www.20000-names.com/. A great source for names from a variety of cultures.
Regarding the use of transliterated Japanese, that's really only something you can decide. Using words that people you're talking with won't understand is rude. But if that is the type of character you are trying to create, do so IF it develops the character in such a way that it advances the plot.
Just be sure that you know what the words means. I had a friend who got a tattoo of two kanji characters she thought meant "dragon". Turns out it meant "chicken fish". Ooops!
Peace out,
----------Dharma Kelleher
www.dharmashanti.com
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"Somedays the muse sings arias. Mostly she just belches the alphabet."
55,005 / 50,000
Mei 14, 2008 - 14 46
Another suggestion for more common Western names is to look at the bogus sender names in your spam folder. It's a great use for those wasted electronic bits.
Peace out,
----------Dharma
****************
"Somedays the muse sings arias. Mostly she just belches the alphabet."
80,557 / 50,000
Mei 14, 2008 - 22 41
You can also try www.behindthename.com
20,212 / 50,000
Mei 16, 2008 - 09 07
As someone who has alot of Japanese characters (2006's NaNo's MC for instance) I wouldn't use just random Japanese words when they have English equivalents. There are some words and ideals in Japanese that can't be completed explained well in English, so that's when I just use the Japanese word and then a tiny bit of description so the idea is understood.
Like a Torii for instance. It just seems sacreligious to call it a "big red religious gate" ^^. So when my MC had passed under one, I just said it was a torii and described it a little.
But for normal words like "mite", just use English, so she'd say "look, look." As long as you let us know they're Japanese and speak so, we'll get it.
0 / 50,000
Mei 21, 2008 - 12 40
OK, thanks :)