One way is to look at your story's theme. If it's about nature, you could name your character 'River' or 'Willow'.
Another approach is to use names from mythology or literature. For example, if your character is a hero, you could name them 'Achilles' or 'Beowulf'. If it's a female character with a bit of a magical quality, 'Morgana' or 'Circe' could be good choices. This gives your characters an instant sense of depth and history.
One way is to look at different cultures. Each culture has unique and interesting names. For instance, in Irish culture, names like 'Finn' or 'Siobhan' can add a touch of mystery or charm to your short story characters. You can also combine words to create new names. Say your character is a bit of a dreamer, you could combine 'Star' and 'Gaze' to get 'Stargaze' as a name.
Simple and easy - to - remember names are great for short stories. For example, 'Jack' and 'Emma' are common but effective. They are familiar to readers and can quickly help them form an image in their minds.
One way is to look at the main theme or idea of the story. For example, if it's about a character's journey to find love, you could name it 'The Quest for Love'. Another is to focus on a key object or event in the story. If there's a special locket that plays an important role, name it 'The Locket's Tale'.
You can start by making a list of qualities or traits you want the character to have. Then, find words that represent those qualities and turn them into names. For example, if your character is wise, you could use 'Sage'. Look at different cultures and their naming traditions too. For a story with a Celtic influence, you might choose names like 'Finn' or 'Bridget'. Don't be afraid to be creative and make up completely new names, but make sure they are easy to pronounce.
You can look at baby name websites for inspiration. They have a wide variety of names with different meanings. Another way is to think about the character's traits first. If the character is brave, you could choose a name that means 'warrior' in a different language. For example, 'Kieran' which means 'little dark one' but also has connotations of strength in Irish.
You can look around your environment for inspiration. For example, the name of a street, a flower in your garden or a pet you see. You can also combine different words that you like, like 'Sun' and 'Shine' to make 'Sunshine'. Another way is to use different languages. Maybe a French word like 'Bleu' which means blue can be a part of a character's name.
First, consider the climax of your story. If the climax involves a discovery, 'The Great Discovery' could be a start. Then, you can add some mystery or intrigue to it, like 'The Enigmatic Discovery'. Also, think about the overall tone. If it's light - hearted, a name like 'The Funny Adventure' could be suitable. You can also draw inspiration from real - life events or places that are related to your story's concept.
You can start with the main theme of the story. For example, if it's a love story, words like 'Heartstrings' or 'Love's Whisper' could work. Also, think about the main character's trait or name. If the character is brave, 'Valor's Tale' might be a good name. Another way is to consider the story's setting, like 'Mystic Woods' for a story set in a magical forest.
You can look to nature for inspiration. For example, 'Aster' which is a type of flower, gives a sense of delicacy and beauty. Another way is to use words from different languages. 'Kaida' which means 'little dragon' in Japanese can be a really cool name for a strong or mysterious character.
You can use names with dark connotations. For example, 'Damien' which has been associated with the devil in some horror concepts. Another option is to use old - fashioned or archaic names like 'Ezekiel' or 'Ophelia'. These names can bring an air of mystery and unease to your horror story characters.