The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook

The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook is a one-of-a-kind resource specifically designed with the writer in mind. Inside you'll find:

• 25,000+ first names and surnames, and their meanings, listed by origin
• Names and surnames from more than 45 countries
• A reverse lookup of names by meaning
• An alphabetical index of names
• An explanation of naming practices and historical context for each origin
• A list of the top ten most popular names in the United States every year from 1880-2003
• Instruction on how to create believable names that fit your characters and your story

So throw out your old telephone books and baby-naming guides—The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook meets all your naming needs!

This reference for writers provides meanings for some 25,000 names and surnames from 45 countries, listed by origin. An explanation of naming practices and historical context is provided for each origin section, and there is a reverse lookup of names by meaning, as well as an alphabetical index of names. An introduction gives practical advice on naming characters and places plus tips on naming for specific genres, and sidebars within the entry sections tell how published authors solved their naming dilemmas. Kenyon (whose name means Blond from the White Meadow) is a fantasy author. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

An introductory essay gives advice on the importance of name choice in fiction. What follows is an impressive collection (a lifetime labor of love) comprising 20,000 first and last names and their meanings. Arrangement is by origin, e.g. Old English, Gaelic, Hebrew, Persian, Hindu--36 categories in all; the index is an alphabetical list of names, allowing access without prior knowledge of origin. Though useful to writers, lots of parents-to-be will enjoy this compendium. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Sherrilyn Kenyon is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with more than sixteen million copies of her books in print, in over thirty countries.  She is the author of the Dark-Hunter novels, which have an international cult following and always appear at the top of The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today lists.  Writing both as Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kinley MacGregor, she is also the author of several other series, including: The League, Brotherhood of the Sword, Lords of Avalon, The Dream-Hunters and the forthcoming Nevermore.