What's in a Name?

I expect most authors—and I am one of them—labor mightily over choosing the right name for their characters. Sometimes a character’s name is obvious to me from the start, and it drops into my mind fully formed as I begin to write. Other times, I spend hours crafting a name with layers of meaning, designed to hint at a deeper truth.

Here's a peek at the names in Of Gentlemen and Heroes.

Mariah—If you’re a history buff, you may notice I've taken a small liberty here. In 1750 her name would properly have been spelled Maria, but I wanted modern readers pronouncing her name correctly from the very first page! Beyond the spelling, Mariah calls to mind a long line of faithful biblical women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary of Bethany. One of the name's meanings is "beloved"—and my character is absolutely her father's darling. Her surname, Weston? I simply knew instinctively it had to be her name.

Captain Adam de Wynter—His name is the most complex in the novel. De Wynter's literal meaning is vintner, or wine maker, but its atmospheric suggestion of coldness felt exactly right for a man whose difficult background has left him fighting exclusion and rejection. And Adam? The first sinner—but it also points to the redemption provided by the second Adam (Jesus). Captain de Wynter’s name quietly carries his entire arc.

Felix Tyrrell—Felix means happy and fortunate. But where does he look for his happiness? As for Tyrrell—look closely. Does it remind you of another word?

Gauvain Legrand—A Frenchman with grand connections and a grander opinion of himself. Legrand means "the great one." Make of that what you will.

Lady Ratham—This one amused me! Mariah, who has a wry eye for character, privately calls her the Rat Lady. I couldn't possibly comment on whether that's fair.

Kitty Richardson—Kitty, of course, suggests a cat—pleasing to the eye and with agendas all her own. Richardson for no particular reason—just a solid English surname.

Names might be described as a whisper from the author to the reader, a hint of the characters’ natures and the roles they play. I hope knowing more about them gives you a little extra pleasure as you make your way through the story!