I have a tendency – perhaps a bad one- of initially naming all my main female characters Esme. I love this name. I first came across it years ago in a short story, perhaps written by L.M. Montgomery. I even named one of my Dachshunds Esme.

The name Esme means beloved, and isn’t that what our characters should be? As we shape them and breathe life into their stories, they become beloved to us. But each character deserves a name that is uniquely their own.

Do names shape our character? Or do we grow into our names, making choices that reflect their meaning? Words hold power, and names are no exception. They have the power to influence not only how we perceive ourselves but also how others perceive us.

In some cultures, a person isn’t given their permanent name at birth. No, they have to grow and mature into who they are meant to be before they are given a name.

Names define character. We can feel the weight of strength, beauty, wisdom, or honor in certain names in the opening lines of a story. What will your character’s name say about them? Will they be an Esme or a Thor?