I’ve got a problem. Just the one I hear you cry? Well yes, just the one at present.

I’m currently editing a novella soon to be published by E-Scape Press and am changing the names of some of the characters. I can’t come up with a name for my second male ‘lead’. I prefer one-syllable names for my men – Mark sounds strong and masculine but I can’t imagine a sexy hero would get far with a name like Leslie. And Tim is a lovely name – but a bit too nice. And yes, I know I’m at risk of offending an awful lot of people here! The trouble is, all the names I think of, I want to keep for a future alpha male character – Mike, Jem, Jon. You can see my dilemma. Ah – the names Richard Armitage and John Thornton – what images they conjure!

When I write, I try to choose names that say something about their personality, age or background. So, an elderly woman may be called Iris or Daphne, whereas a small child might be Jack or Sophie. Sometimes I even flirt with indicating class. What do the names Hugo and Wayne say about the owners? But, I’ve got a horrible feeling that makes me a snob!

The name you give your character is a short cut to revealing something about the person you write about. Names can even hint about where your character comes from. Helga could be German or Scandinavian, whereas Jyhoti might be Asian. And a Chuck could surely only come from the States – and a sports jock at that.

And names can be anachronistic too – you couldn’t have a Regency heroine called Tracy – or could you?

I have a problem with the names of houses too. I couldn’t live in a house called Shangri-La or Bimini, whereas Summer Cottage evokes all sorts of different possibilities.

So, while I content myself with the thought that I am unredeemably shallow and a snob to boot, can I ask for suggestions for my secondary male? At the moment he’s called Rupert. Posh and nice – or in danger of being thought a little yellow bear?!