About fictional Japanese names

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MadCow
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About fictional Japanese names

Post by MadCow »

Just wanted to get the general opinion.

Let's say I wanted to make up a Japanese name for a fanfic. So I go pick some given names and family names and check up their meanings, and form a name. Then I google the name to see what comes up.

I think 99% of the time, the name already exists. Could be someone's website, often some professor or college lecturer, and very often there'll be multiple Facebook accounts with that name.

So, when do you draw the line and say, eh, time to drop this one and pick another name? Or do you not bother at all, or drop only if you get someone famous like a celebrity or politician or something?
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Re: About fictional Japanese names

Post by Kogashi »

Fun thing bout Japanese names in fiction, least as far as I can find, at least for given names you can pick words that basically translate to very plot specific or literal terms. Hell just look at Tendou Souji of Kamen Rider Kabuto. Or the fact that a lot of common Japanese given names are just stating if they're like the second or third child in a family. As for the person actually existing in real life name wise, that will be hard to avoid unless you name your person 'Heroplot McSavetheday' or 'High Lord Lordhigh Trueprophecy' if you get my meaning.
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MadCow
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Re: About fictional Japanese names

Post by MadCow »

Yeah it seems almost impossible to avoid naming an existing person.
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takenoko
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Re: About fictional Japanese names

Post by takenoko »

I wouldn't worry about something like that. If you do, just put a disclaimer that all names and incidents are fiction somewhere in your story.
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