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 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.
For male characters, you could use names like Jack, Tom, or Ben. They are simple and easy to remember. For female characters, names such as Emma, Lily, or Sophia are great choices. These names are common but still very appealing and can fit into various short - story settings.
Look at the character's role in the story. If they are the hero, a strong and heroic - sounding name like 'Maximus' or 'Aria' could work well. For a sidekick character, a more fun and light - hearted name like 'Scamp' or 'Bubbles' might be appropriate. You can also get inspiration from books, movies, or TV shows, but make sure to put your own spin on it.
Typically, names of short stories are italicized. This is a common convention in the world of writing and publishing to give them emphasis and make them stand out.
Good character names for a spooky short story could be 'Nox'. It means night in Latin and the night is often a time when scary things happen. 'Lilith' is a name from Jewish mythology that is often associated with demons and the night. 'Thorn' can be a name that gives the impression of something prickly and dangerous, like a hidden threat in the story.
You can start by considering the personality of the characters. For example, if a character is brave, you could choose a name like 'Valiant' or 'Braxton'. Another way is to think about the time period or setting of the story. If it's a historical story set in medieval times, names like 'Eleanor' or 'Henry' might be suitable. Also, you can use names that have a special meaning to you or are from your family heritage.
Quoting short story names is not overly complicated. If the title is part of a sentence, enclose it in double quotation marks. Let's say you are discussing 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. In a text, it would be 'In 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', the characters are complex and interesting.' This helps to clearly distinguish the title from the rest of the text.
Some great names for short stories could be 'The Lost Key', 'A Moment in Time', 'The Silent Stranger'. These names are simple yet they can pique the reader's curiosity and give a hint about the possible theme or plot of the story.
Some other names for short stories are tales, novelettes (though novelettes can be a bit longer but still in the short story family), and short fictions.