Surname Maps

[ysabetwordsmith]

janetmiles and my partner Doug tipped me to this cool resource showing surname maps.  So, if you're a writer and you want to name an ordinary character from one of these places, you can pick a surname from the relevant place and it will fit.  This is a very discreet and effective trick with local color.

Comments

Re: Neat!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I like to jot down spammer names for the far-out stuff. Very good inspiration there.

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

*giggle* that's awesome.

Most of Addergoole was done via Random Baby Namer or "name meaning xx" Google searches, except the few random ones that are really obvious that I made up (whoops; another argument for consistent worldbuilding BEFORE you post your serial!)

Re: Neat!

[msstacy13.livejournal.com]

Now I'm having another Homer Simpson moment.
Mmmm...
Post cereal.
:)

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

/chuckle/

...Crap! ... now I want raisin bran...!

Re: Neat!

[msstacy13.livejournal.com]

At least raisin bran is better for you than donuts.

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

Yup!

Raisin Bran + Shredded wheat has been my lunch for most of the last 13 months of weight loss! :-D

Re: Neat!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Also, Raisin Bran makes awesome muffins. I think it used to come with a recipe on the box, but that was years ago.

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

We keep meaning to make bran muffins... I'll have to look it up.

Try this...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,kellogg_raisin_bran_muffins,FF.html

This one looks very similar to what I recall, except for the buttermilk. I think grandma usually used plain milk or half-and-half instead.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,194,144167-248205,00.html

Re: Try this...

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks! I'll let you know how it comes out!

Re: Neat!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes, very useful trick. I also have a "backwards" name dictionary for writers, which is indispensable. *chuckle* Actually I have half a shelf of baby name books, which I've been collecting since junior high. People used to give me very disapproving looks for standing in that aisle, until I got out of college or thereabouts. I learned to say, "I'm not pregnant. I'm a writer shopping for character names." It was my version of "I'm not planning to murder anyone, I'm looking up poisons/guns/etc. for a mystery novel."

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

That's very neat!

I used to collect names when I was in high school, didn't really get into name-meanings until later.

Re: Neat!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Name etymology has been a hobby of mine as far back as I can remember. My quick-and-dirty knowledge of Greek and Latin began with hacking dinosaur names to get the meanings.

Re: Neat!

[aldersprig.livejournal.com]

Etymology in general has always interested me, but name etymology came later.

I have a couple name nerds who started reading Addergoole just for the names :-D