Seeking input for character names

[being-lola-star.livejournal.com]

I'm seeking input in names for my characters. I'm trying to name a family that takes in one of my characters. The family is three generations: matriarch, her children and grandchildren. The majority are African-American with spouses of varying backgrounds. They're from Louisiana originally but are currently living in Georgia.

Last name undetermined at this time but suggestions are welcome.

Matriarch: Henrietta "Etta"

Daughter: Jocelyn "Joss"

Son: James

Daughter: Charlene

Daughter: Tanya "Tawny"

Son: Elijah "Eli"

Joss's Family

Husband: Peter

Son: Owen [13]

Daughter: Alicia [9]

James's Family

Wife: Meghan (Meh-gan not Mee-gan)

Son: James Jr. "JJ" or "Jamie" [10]

Daughter: Keira [5]

Daughter: Seanassy (Sean-ah-see) [2]

Charlene's Boyfriend: Marco

Tawny's Son: Tyler [4]

Looking for feedback/suggestions mainly. If anything sounds really strange feel free to mention it and even to post alternatives that could take it's place. Some of these names I'm more attached to than other but I don't want to say which ones in the main post because I want the most honest opinions possible.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[beautifulhunte1.livejournal.com]

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[charlsie-esq.livejournal.com]

Take a moment and consider what the family does. Is it a church-going family (Ruth, Naomi,)? Are they first generation American or do they have a long creole history (French inspired names)? What is their income and status in the town (Marlo vs Mahalia)? Why did they move from Georgia to Louisiana? Are they football fans or basketball fans (Donovan v. Dwight)? Who went to college (Harper v. Charlie)? Do they belong to a country club? Is it an integrated country club or an elite all-black country club? Are they influenced by trend since the 60s to choose African and Arabic-inspired names (Latifah vs Kenya)? Are any of them artistic or talented in a particular medium (Alvin v. Louis)?

JJ might just be Junior. Tyler doesn't feel right for that age group.

Those are my thoughts in the middle of the night, hope this helps. Good luck.

[being-lola-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks! These are just the sorts of things I've been trying to figure out myself. Tyler's one of the names I'm not quite set on though I do know two little boys that age called Tyler. I find the children's names are both easiest and most difficult because I work in child care and have so much to go on based on ages but don't particularly like some of the trends I'm starting to see.

[box-of-rocks.livejournal.com]

Somehow Owen doesn't seem to fit with the other names (Peter too but he's married in). Not sure why though! And Seanassy definitely makes me focus on ASSY. I like the others though!

[bingybingy.livejournal.com]

I agree about the Owen not fitting.

If I were reading the story I would think Sean-assy instead of Sean-ah-see.

[hermione-vader.livejournal.com]

Tyler doesn't sound right for that age group? What? It's still pretty high up in the Top 100, even if it doesn't sounds as trendy as it used to. It looks fine.

[hermione-vader.livejournal.com]

Just wondering: is Seanassy supposed to be Shaughnessy? Like the last name? That's the only one that seems out of place to me. I like the rest of these names---they fit as well as you'd expect family members' (including spouses' names) to fit.

[charlsie-esq.livejournal.com]

My opinions are guided by a few things but mostly that I live in the south and don't know any little boys from African American families named Tyler. It has been popular since Fight Club I think but whenever I think of little Tyler, it's not the picture you cast. And if your African American family is going to choose an Anglo name, there has to be a reason. That is why I asked all the questions for you to consider. This family is in Georgia, the African American communities in Georgia are pretty diverse, but usually culturally-aware and creative in their name choices. Choosing names that would likely occur for your readers in that area is easy. That's not to say you have to go with stereotypical names. I have cousins with Russian names because their dad was in the army, came back, married and had kids he named Tatiana and Vladimir here in the States; my family is only 2 generations removed from French immigrants, and the names in my family come from the New Testament (full stop). I've described different family units and giving you the names and having that background starts to tell you things about the families/parents. You can use any name you want, but you infuse your writing with additional authenticity when you pick names that sound true for the region and period. AND if you go against that, be ready to say why. Consider the person attached to the name Inga. Is she 9, 19 or 49? What if I describe Inga as having long, dark wavy hair? Now, what if I tell you Inga's parents are from Somalia? It just creates layers and allows the reader's imagination to make the characters real. That's my 35 cents, for what it's worth.

[being-lola-star.livejournal.com]

It is pronounced like the last name, yes. It's actually one of the ones I'm most attached too but I'm having trouble with the others sounding right around it.