Think about local flora and fauna. If there are a lot of roses in the town, 'Rosewood' could be a name. If there are wild horses running around, 'Horsehaven' might work. You can also use words from different languages. For instance, 'Bella Vista' which is Italian for 'beautiful view'. This can add an exotic touch to your fictional town.
You can think about the landscape. If it's near the sea, something like 'Seaspray Town' could work. For a town in the mountains, 'Peakview' is a good option. Also, consider the history or legend of the town. If there's a story about a magical well, you could name it 'Wellspring Town'.
One way is to consider the history or the main feature of the town in your story. If the town was founded by miners, a name like 'Goldridge' or 'Coalhaven' could be suitable. If there's a big castle in the town, 'Castleton' or 'Fortville' might be good. Another approach is to use words that have a certain sound or rhythm. Names like 'Mellifluousville' or 'Harmonytown' can be catchy.
You can look at real - world places for inspiration. For example, if there's a beautiful coastal town you once visited, you could use elements of it like the name of the bay or a local landmark. Another way is to combine words that evoke certain feelings or settings, like 'Sunnybrook' which gives an image of a sunny place near a brook.
You can combine words related to nature and local features. For example, if there's a big hill and a lot of pine trees, you could call it 'Pinehill'. Or use old - fashioned words like 'Glen' and combine it with something else, like 'Glenwood'.
You can start with the geographical features. If there's a big river, you could name it 'Riverton'. Or if it's near a large forest, 'Forestville' might work. You can also think about the history or the people of the town. If it was founded by a family named Gray, 'Gray's Landing' could be a name.
Look at classic scary stories for inspiration. Notice how they are named. For instance, 'Dracula' is named after the main vampire character. You could do something similar if your story has a prominent spooky character. Also, consider using alliteration, like 'Petrifying Presence' or 'Sinister Silence'. It makes the name more memorable and adds to the spooky feel.
To create good names for short stories, first, jot down the most important elements of your story. Is it a particular time of day that's crucial? Then something like 'Dawn's Discovery' could work. Consider the conflict in the story too. If it's a battle between good and evil, 'The Good vs. Evil Duel' might be a name. Additionally, you can draw inspiration from real - life events or places that have a similar feel to your story and adapt them into a name.
Look at the character's traits. If they're smart, a name like Athena (the Greek goddess of wisdom) could work. If they're funny, something like Chuck or Fanny might be good.
Think about the overall mood of your story. If it's a dark and mysterious fantasy, names like 'The Abyssal Shadows' or 'The Veiled Nightmare' would work. For a more light - hearted one, 'The Whimsical Wonderland' could be a good choice. Also, consider using archaic or made - up words. For example, 'Eldritchopia' which gives a sense of an otherworldly, eldritch place.
One way is to use words related to secrecy and personal experiences. For instance, 'Hidden Whispers' combines the idea of something hidden and the act of whispering, which is often associated with secrecy. Also, consider your own emotions in the stories. If they are mostly about love in a private context, 'Love's Private Nook' could be a name. Another approach is to use alliteration, like 'Private Passages' which has a nice ring to it.