Use AI to Name Your Characters Better and Faster

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Alex vs Dirk vs Maddox vs Jax
Sarah vs Sara vs Airah vs Sarai

Finding the just-right name for your character is a full-on Goldilocks quest—and it will eat your lunch if you let it. Name hunting can absolutely devour your time. And the worst part? It’s absolutely worth it.

The perfect name does so much to build reader immersion and give your story legs. Literally no other single word in your book carries as much weight as your main character’s name. Or your love interest's.

Please take a moment. Picture your favorite fictional hero.
Now imagine they're named Todd.
Boom. Mic drop.

So here’s one of the most exciting things I’ve learned AI can do: it can suggest really good name ideas. If that sounds minor, you’ve clearly never lost two hours to baby name forums and come out with five names that all start with A.

What makes a name magical instead of immersion-breaking? A lot of that is personal and up to taste, so you're going to have to call it from your gut. But AI can surface solid options fast, which is all any writer can really ask, beg, plead for.

So which AI platform is actually good at naming things? As of summer 2025, my top picks are ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini. Claude has a weird habit of Googling names instead of generating them—but you can prod it out of that.

How to quickly ask and get good name ideas from AI

Here’s what to throw into your prompt. Pick a couple from each group—no need to over-engineer it. Start light and increase the detail if you need more targeted ideas.

1) Story Context

Give AI a couple sentences of story context. Not just “fantasy novel,” but the specific flavor of your world that shapes naming.

Include details like:

• Real-world time period (if applicable)

• Genre and tone (nail-biting thriller vs cozy romance)

• Naming themes for SFF (still using Earth names 300 years later? Medieval but prettier? V-heavy with vowel salad?)

“Romantic suspense” vs. “romantic suspense set in 1950s small-town Georgia” are not the same naming brief. If AI doesn’t know which one you’re writing, it’ll default to vanilla.

2) Name Lists

Going back to my issue with giving everyone a name starting in "A", you can keep a list of existing character names and feed it in. AI can spot your unintentional repetition and help you break the loop.

Also valuable for:

• Siblings: What did this mom name her other kids? Do you want a theme—or a contrast?

• Couples: Give the other name in the pairing so you don’t end up with a poor bride named, say, “Crystal Ball.”

3) Factual Context for the Character

Throw in a few of these:

• Character age
  You know that mental gymnastics of "year minus age is birth date, times baby names popular that year"? AI does that faster. A 70-year-old and a 6-year-old do not get name suggestions from the same pool—even in fantasy.

Note: Still check the math. AI forgets people born in 2004 are adults. Honestly, so do I. The babies can drink now??

• Class and profession
  “Rich yacht brat” and “hard-working mechanic” call for different options, even in the same year.

• Who named them?
  “Her mother was a hippy” and “her mother was extremely traditional” lead to wildly different name lists. Or did their father name them, and what is he like?

• Location info
  Include the country, state or local identity— e.g. “American Gulf South” or “Louisiana Creole” or "Rural Wales". Regional naming patterns are real.

• Ancestry info
  Names travel down generations. A family’s heritage might still shape the naming style, even after immigration. Zoom out one or two generations when relevant.

Don’t skip heritage for your tertiary characters. Without guidance, AI will default to what it sees as “neutral”—which often means white or Western-coded names. That’s how you end up with a world that reads flat, narrow, and accidentally homogeneous. Main and secondary characters need intention, but for background roles, you can pull a few ancestries at random or based on local demographics and liven up your world immediately.

4) Character Vibe

This is your shortcut to the emotional fit.

Include:

• Personality: "flighty artist" vs "no-nonsense"

• Story role: main vs secondary (aka how memorable it should be)

• Vibes: "blue-haired barista who uses she/they pronouns" or "cheer captain in the 80s, now a CPA"

• Special requests: Want on the nose? Less on the nose? Subtle? Lyrical? Good nickname potential?

This is often where it clicks. You’ll get a name and go: Oh damn. That is a sarcastic disaster of a love interest. When the vibes are there, it's magic.

Ask for Options, Not Perfection

As always with AI, you're not asking for one perfect idea. At least a few suggestions will be duds. Ask for 20 ideas, broken out by theme.

Themes make it easy to give feedback:

“I don't want traditional—can you go more creative/new?”
“The manly section is good but they're so dramatic. Can you go less dramatic?”

Quality Control: Saving Yourself from Bad Names

These checks aren’t just for AI-generated names—they’re for any name you’re considering. They can also catch your own brain’s bad ideas.

First, if you've been brainstorming, open a new chat or tell AI to forget the context. You don't want it defending the ideas it previously gave you, or making assumptions. You need critiques now.

And the goal isn’t to find a name with zero associations. It’s to make sure you’re okay with the ones it already has.

Check for overwhelming associations.

Ask AI what your name might remind readers of. It will look for famous people, brands, memes, or characters that will hijack the reader's brain.

Like that time my own brain insisted the heroine of my fox-shifter urban fantasy should be named Megan and I couldn't figure out why... until someone pointed out I was basically naming her Megan Fox.

Check up on cultural authenticity.

If a name came from a specific culture, ask:

• Would this be a weird name in that country?

• Is it common, rare, outdated, overused?

• Any associations that might surprise you?

Also check pronunciation. A tough name isn’t bad, but it helps to know how much work you’re asking readers to do.

Google everything.

First name. Full name. First name + your genre (“Elena vampire”). This helps catch existing characters, brand clashes, and pop culture overlap before your readers do.

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Big warning: AI will throw out name meanings like it knows what it’s talking about. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it’s hallucinating. Sometimes it’s quoting a site that made it up wholesale in 2007.

Relying on AI for name meanings—especially across cultures—can get you canceled so fast your hat spins.

I’ll sometimes use a name even if AI claims it has a meaning—as long as that meaning isn’t the main reason I chose it. If the meaning is important or I want to repeat it, I double-check with a worthier source (not AI, not a naming website).

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Examples in Action

Let me show you this framework with three paste-for-paste examples. They’re long, so first—the obligatory blog sign-off.

Names matter more than we sometimes admit. They're the first impression readers get of your character, and they carry weight throughout the entire story.

With the right approach, AI can help you find names that feel inevitable—like they were always meant to be there. Even back when your files were named revenge cheerleader and hot abs boyfriend.

Good night and good luck on hot abs boyfriend!

Example 1:

My inputs are highlighted. All responses from Anthropic Claude for this example.

This is for a YA fantasy novel with a medieval feel but using mostly recognizable Earth names. I need a name for a 17-year-old male love interest who's a blacksmith's apprentice. He's kind-hearted but stubborn, and comes from a poor family. I already have characters named Aria, Marcus, and Thorne, so avoid those sounds. Please give me 20 options organized by style.

I'll organize these by naming style to help you find the right fit for your blacksmith's apprentice:

Traditional/Classic Medieval Feel

1. Willem - Germanic, means "resolute protector"

2. Gareth - Welsh, means "gentle"

3. Edmund - Anglo-Saxon, means "fortunate protector"

4. Owen - Welsh, means "noble warrior"

5. Duncan - Scottish, means "dark warrior"

Simple, Working-Class Strong

6. Cole - Short, strong, literally means "coal"

7. Reed - Nature name, simple and grounded

8. Joss - Diminutive of Joseph, humble feel

9. Bram - Short for Abraham, solid and unpretentious

10. Knox - Scottish, means "round hill," sturdy sound

Slightly Softer/Romantic Edge

11. Leander - Greek, means "lion man" but flows beautifully

12. Adrian - Roman, sophisticated but not pretentious

13. Dorian - Greek, literary without being heavy

14. Evander - Greek, means "good man"

15. Sebastian - Classic with romantic associations

Strong/Heroic but Approachable

16. Griffin - Welsh mythological, strong but not harsh

17. Caspian - Literary (Narnia), adventurous feel

18. Damien - Irish, strong but kind sound

19. Julian - Roman, classic and versatile

20. Matthias - Hebrew variant of Matthew, substantial but warm

My top 3 recommendations for your character: Willem (fits the medieval setting perfectly, sounds like someone who'd work with his hands), Cole (simple, strong, evokes his trade), and Griffin (heroic enough for a love interest, grounded enough for his background).

Which style feels right for your story's tone?

I like Griffin, Willem and Evander, but will they remind my readers of anything else? Especially wondering for YA or fantasy books, but also in real life, like real people or brands.

Good instinct to check for associations! Here's what readers might connect these to:

Griffin

Fantasy/YA associations:

• Griffins (the mythological creatures) - could feel heavy-handed in fantasy

• Peter Griffin from Family Guy - unfortunate comedy association

• Griffin from The Invisible Man (classic lit, less likely YA readers know it)

Real world: Griffin is a moderately common surname (Griffin Technology, Kathy Griffin), so feels familiar but not tied to one specific person.

Willem

Fantasy/YA associations:

• Willem Dafoe (actor) - strong association, but not necessarily bad

• Less common in YA fantasy, so feels fresh

Real world: Primarily associated with Dutch royalty (King Willem-Alexander), but that's not front-of-mind for most YA readers. Feels authentically medieval without major pop culture baggage.

Evander

Fantasy/YA associations:

• Evander Holyfield (boxer) - older reference, unlikely to ping for YA readers

• Very rare in YA fantasy, so no strong genre associations

Real world: Uncommon enough that most readers won't have strong associations.

My take: Willem is your safest bet - authentically medieval, no distracting pop culture connections, and the "Will" nickname option gives it versatility. Evander is beautiful but might feel too formal for a blacksmith's apprentice. Griffin has the creature association risk in fantasy.

Want me to suggest a few more options that avoid these potential issues?

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Example 2:

My inputs are highlighted. All responses from Microsoft Copilot for this example.

I'm writing a contemporary romance set in Miami. I need a name for a 28-year-old woman born and raised in Florida who works as a corporate lawyer, and is very ambitious and polished. Her parents immigrated in the 1980s but favored traditional Americanized names. She's marrying someone named James, so consider how names sound together. Conversely, I'm thinking she might feel her name is slightly "trashy" or "ditzy" so prefers to go by her last name in professional settings. Give me 20 suggestions broken down by theme, some on the polished side and some on the ditzy side.

Polished, Professional & Powerful

1. Isabelle – elegant, refined, “Isabelle & James” sounds classic

2. Vivienne – sophisticated, strong presence

3. Margot – effortlessly chic, timeless

4. Celeste – refined with an upscale vibe

5. Elena – polished, slightly mysterious

6. Genevieve – long and striking, yet graceful

7. Sabrina – has a smart, ambitious air

8. Valeria – strong, formal, professional

9. Gabrielle – poised and elegant, “Gabrielle & James” flows well

10. Regina – commands respect, crisp and formal

More Playful, Over-the-Top & ‘Ditzy’ (in her mind)

1. Brittany – pop culture nostalgia, slightly flashy

2. Tiffany – sparkly, high-energy

3. Ashley – very common in the 90s, could feel ‘too basic’ for her taste

4. Melody – singsongy, sweet but lightweight

5. Summer – fun, carefree, Florida-coded

6. Kylie – trendy, youthful energy

7. Barbie – ultra-feminine, high-glam vibes

8. Lacey – frilly, playful, not overly serious

9. Amber – slightly dated, but warm and bold

10. Chrissy – cheerful, bubbly, less formal

I think I want to lean into her being ambitious and polished. Which of these names or new ones were medium-popular for her birth year and maybe just a smidgen more aggressive?

Great choice! Based on popular names for women born in 1997, here are some that align with ambition and polish while carrying a slightly more assertive edge:

Strong & Polished Names from 1997

1. Victoria – regal, commanding presence

2. Alexandra – sophisticated, powerful

3. Katherine – timeless, professional

4. Gabrielle – elegant but firm

5. Sabrina – refined with a sharp edge

6. Nicole – sleek, confident

7. Lauren – polished, no-nonsense

8. Madeline – classic with quiet authority

9. Jacqueline – formal, ambitious

10. Vanessa – stylish but assertive

Names with a Slightly More Aggressive Edge

1. Regina – literally means “queen,” strong-willed

2. Margot – sharp, sophisticated

3. Celeste – refined but commanding

4. Vivienne – dramatic, powerful

5. Elena – sleek, confident

6. Valeria – bold, striking

7. Genevieve – long, elegant, but firm

8. Isadora – distinctive, authoritative

9. Colette – chic, sharp

10. Dominique – strong, slightly imposing

Would you like surname suggestions to complement her preference for using her last name professionally?

I like Dominque. What is that going to remind readers in the US of? Any weird associations?

Dominique is a name with a strong, elegant feel, but it does carry a few associations in the U.S.:

• Historical & Religious Roots – It comes from the Latin Dominicus, meaning "of the Lord," and has ties to Saint Dominic and the Dominican Order.

• Unisex Usage – While more common for women, it has been used for men as well, which might make it feel slightly androgynous.

• Pop Culture References – Some Americans might associate it with Dominique Dawes (Olympic gymnast), Dominique Swain (actress), or Dominique Dunne (actress who tragically passed young).

• French Sophistication – It has a distinctly French vibe, which can make it feel refined and cosmopolitan.

• Slightly Dated Popularity – It peaked in the late 80s and 90s, making it familiar but not overly trendy today.

There aren’t any glaring negative associations, but if you want a name with a similar feel but fewer pop culture ties, I can suggest alternatives!

Example 3:

My inputs are highlighted. All responses from ChatGTP for this example.

I'm writing urban fantasy set in modern-day Seattle. I need a name for a 22-year-old nonbinary barista who's quirky, artistic, and practices witchcraft. Their more traditional but romantic-leaning Korean mother (who immigrated in her 20s) named them. I already have characters named Sam, River, and Alex, so I need something that doesn't start with those letters. Give me 20 suggestions broken out by a few themes.

🌸 Korean-Inspired Given Names (Real or Slightly Altered)

These draw from actual Korean names or adapt them slightly to feel more fluid or gender-neutral in a Western urban fantasy setting.

1. Jinwoo – "genuine + divine intervention"; nicknameable to Jin or Woo

2. Haerin – "grace + jade"; soft and mystical

3. Minho – Familiar but soft, lends itself to a stylish nickname like Min

4. Duri – A native Korean name meaning “two” or “together”

5. Eunjae – "grace + respect"; a warm, modern-sounding choice

🌙 Magical / Nature-Inspired Western Names

These evoke their witchcraft practice and artsy nature, while still feeling like plausible given names.
6. Indigo – Bold, magical, and creative
7. Clove – Earthy and witchy, with a subtle edge
8. Zephyr – Breezy, mystical, and unusual
9. Lumen – Meaning “light”; sounds sleek and genderless
10. Basil – A plant name with cozy, old-soul energy

☕ Vintage & Quirky Vibes

These names give off a retro, offbeat charm fitting for a barista in Seattle’s indie scene.
11. Moxie – Full of spunk and attitude
12. Jules – Gender-neutral, casual, and effortlessly cool
13. Percy – Old-fashioned, but it’s made a hip comeback
14. Toby – Friendly, endearing, and soft-sounding
15. Kit – Short, snappy, and creative

✨ Mythical / Symbolic with a Soft Edge

These names have an almost otherworldly quality, fitting for someone in touch with magical forces.
16. Nyx – Night goddess energy, short and striking
17. Orion – Celestial, poetic, and strong
18. Caelum – Latin for “sky”; ethereal and unique
19. Noa – Used across many cultures, with a smooth, calm feel
20. Ellis – Gentle, modern, and flexible in tone

What would the name "Eunjae" remind readers in Korea of? Any product associations? Is it a popular name or would it seem like a weird name? What associations would it have for readers in the US, or fans of Japanese anime?

Great question—let’s break this down across different cultural lenses:

🇰🇷 Korean Associations – “Eunjae (은재)”

• Not a weird name: Eunjae is a perfectly legitimate and fairly common Korean given name, used for all genders but especially popular as a gender-neutral or slightly masculine name in recent years. It's composed of:

  • Eun (은) = kindness, silver, grace

  • Jae (재) = talent, wealth, ability

• Vibe in Korea:

  • Creative and smart: The name often shows up in dramas or among young creatives, so it feels cultured or “artsy” in a soft, earnest way.

  • Slightly literary: Eunjae has been used for fictional characters, sometimes poets, doctors, or thoughtful types.

  • No major product associations: Unlike names like “Samsung” or “HyunDai,” Eunjae doesn’t sound like a brand or product. You’re in the clear there.

🇺🇸 US Reader Associations

• Unfamiliar but readable: Most U.S. readers would not recognize it as a name unless they’re familiar with Korean culture, but it's easy to pronounce phonetically (oon-jay) and could pass as a unique or “witchy” name without confusion.

• Vaguely gender-neutral: It doesn’t obviously cue “male” or “female” to American readers, which is helpful for a nonbinary character. It feels soft and lyrical.

• Contemporary global name vibe: With the rise of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean beauty culture, a name like Eunjae might subtly signal someone artistic or modern, especially among younger audiences.

🎌 Anime-Fan or J-culture Reader Associations

• Not Japanese-sounding: “Eunjae” doesn’t resemble Japanese naming conventions at all (especially because of the syllable “Eun,” which isn’t common in Japanese), so it wouldn’t be confused for a Japanese name.

• Anime fans familiar with Korean dramas or manhwa might place the name in that context. For some, it may suggest:

  • A soft, introspective character

  • A side character in a slice-of-life or fantasy K-drama/manhwa

✅ Summary

Korea
Common, appropriate
Kind, talented, thoughtful
No risk of misreading

US
Uncommon but phonetic
Witchy, artistic, soft
Very low risk of misreading

Anime/J-culture fans
Not Japanese but may be recognized from K-dramas
Thoughtful or romantic Korean characters
Low risk of misreading

Verdict: Eunjae is a strong, culturally authentic choice with minimal baggage, a gentle and creative sound, and strong gender neutrality—especially well-suited for a nonbinary witchy barista.

Would you like nickname options or Korean surname pairings that would sound natural with it?