Read MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More Online
Authors: Bryn Donovan
200 NAMES FOR CONTEMPORARY HEROES
I originally developed a shorter version of this list with the romance fiction genre in mind, but this expanded version can be used for all kinds of leading men in any genre. Again, I have emphasized names that are popular in the United States for men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but I’ve included unusual names as well. I hope you find one that’s just perfect for your guy!
100 VERY COMMON LAST NAMES IN THE U.S. TODAY
Need a popular last name for an American character? Pick one from here! Many of these are very common in Canada, the U.K., and Australia as well. The names marked with an asterisk are the ten most common names in the U.S., according to the 2010 census.
Adams
Allen
Anderson
Bailey
Baker
Barnes
Bell
Bennett
Brooks
Brown*
Butler
Campbell
Carter
Clark
Coleman
Collins
Cook
Cooper
Cox
Cruz
Davis*
Diaz
Edwards
Evans
Foster
Garcia*
Gomez
Gonzalez
Gray
Green
Gutierrez
Fisher
Flores
Hall
Harris
Henderson
Hernandez
Hill
Howard
Hughes
Jackson
James
Jenkins
Johnson*
Jones*
Kelly
King
Lee
Lewis
Long
Lopez
Martin
Martinez
Miller*
Mitchell
Moore
Morales
Morgan
Morris
Murphy
Myers
Nguyen
Ortiz
Parker
Perry
Peterson
Phillips
Perez
Powell
Price
Reed
Reyes
Richardson
Rivera
Roberts
Robinson
Rodriguez*
Rogers
Ross
Russell
Sanchez
Sanders
Scott
Smith*
Stewart
Sullivan
Taylor
Thomas
Thompson
Torres
Turner
Walker
Ward
Watson
White
Williams*
Wilson*
Wood
Wright
Young
7. CHARACTER TRAITS
Sometimes we get the idea for a story before we have a clue about the characters in it. Even when characters spring into our imaginations, we don’t usually know everything about them at first. What do they do for a living? What’s their history? What are they into? Basically, what makes them tick?
I heard a writer say once that most stories are about blood and money—people’s families, and how they make a living. While some stories don’t involve these elements, they are good things to figure out for your characters.
Even if your character is basically good, he or she will need flaws in order to be believable. Likewise, a good villain may have some admirable traits.
In addition to the lists in this section, two previous lists may help in thinking about the people in your story: the “Master List of Physical Descriptions,” and “50 Goals and Aspirations.” With careful thought, you can create a character who is as real in your readers’ minds as anyone else they know in real life... a character they will never forget.
100 POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS
What are some of the strengths that your character relies on when the going gets tough? What’s her everyday superpower? Here are lots of possibilities! In some cases, I’ve given an example or two of how they might play out, but of course that will depend on your story.
He takes responsibility for his actions.
She loves biking, hiking, gardening, or volunteering. She’s not so into sitting around and watching TV.
Dodgy vacation destinations and big changes in her life don’t scare her. She’s always up for something new.
You can always count on him for a hug, a kind word, or good-natured teasing.
You want to go to a hockey game? She says, Sure, that sounds fine. No, wait, you want to go to a cooking class instead? Okay, she says, sounds good.
He has goals and dreams, and he’s positive he can achieve them.
She shows gratitude for small favors and doesn’t take any of her blessings for granted.
She’s rarely at a loss for words. Her comments and speeches are on point.
He has a flair for painting, sculpting, photography, or design.
Her life is evenly divided between work and play.
He might be scared, or he might not be. It doesn’t matter. If there’s a good reason to do the scary thing, he does it.
He’s competent and can handle situations and tasks successfully.
It may be hard to say why, but she just has a glow that attracts people to her.
He treats women with old-fashioned politeness and gallantry.
On a regular day, he whistles while he works and never stops smiling. Even in tough times, he finds some reason to be happy.
His heart goes out to those in distress, and he does what he can to help.
She believes in her value and the quality of her work.
He remembers your kids’ names, and even your dog’s name. When you miss class, he grabs an extra handout for you.
Group project? No problem. She excels at working with others.
He can tell you about theater, the history of jazz, and every little gallery in town.
She wants to learn about everyone and everything.
It’s not just the way she looks, but the whimsical and guileless way she dresses and acts that makes her adorable.
He doesn’t waste a bunch of time trying to figure out a course of action. He chooses to do something, and he does it. Bam. End of story. (Or possibly, the beginning of the story.)
She never shirks her responsibilities.
His self-respect shines through his words, gestures, and the way he presents himself.
He exerts self-control to meet his goals.
She can keep a secret, or a hundred of them.
She’s relaxed, slow to get upset, and rarely takes offense.
He gets things done quickly, in the simplest way possible.
He understands how people feel and why they do what they do.
She makes others feel like they can do just about anything.
As long as he gets his required five hours of sleep a night, he keeps going and going.
She gets excited about plans, events, and occasions.
She has great ideas for new businesses, and the drive to see them through.
He tries to make sure that no one gets shortchanged.
She’s committed to her spouse, and doesn’t even flirt with anyone else.
His spouse and kids come before everything else.
He lives out loud and does everything in a big way. This may be more of a neutral than a positive trait.
She can change her routine or her usual way of working to suit the situation.
She goes out of her way to connect with others.
She saves 15% of every paycheck, re-uses plastic sandwich bags, and never has to toss vegetables that are past their prime.
He always has something hilarious to say.
If you need twenty bucks or you want half of his cookie, he’ll say yes.
She has a soft, caring manner, and would never hurt anyone.
He doesn’t just think about the next thing he will say. He actually pays attention.
She knows how to explain things and encourage people as they learn.
He carries himself in an elegant way.
She knows how to fix things around the house.
She works out, eats right, and gets enough sleep.
He never takes what isn’t his, and he’s always truthful.
He doesn’t take advantage of others, and he’s always good for his word.
She has hopes for a healthier planet or a better society.
She can see possibilities where others cannot, and can invent elaborate stories or worlds.
He doesn’t mind eating alone in a restaurant. If no one else shares his opinion on something, he’s fine with that.
She’s not afraid of a little hard work. In fact, she’s not afraid of a lot of hard work.
Although this trait can get people into trouble, it’s often charming.
She learns things and solves problems quickly.
His hunches often prove correct, and he knows when something’s off. It could be a slightly supernatural talent, or he might just synthesize a lot of disparate data on a subconscious level.
He’s an expert in his field, or in many fields.
She’s quick to laugh at a joke, and finds many things pleasant or amusing.
Instead of letting emotions or fears take over, she looks at the facts.
He’s true to his family, his friends, and his company.
She makes sure all the small details are correct.
He doesn’t draw attention to himself or his achievements, and doesn’t especially want others too, either.
Her enigmatic appearance, words, or behavior intrigue or confuse people. This can be a neutral rather than a positive trait.
Others look to her for direction, because she’s skilled at giving it.
He has a strong connection with animals, trees, and the great outdoors.
He’s well groomed, and he keeps his apartment and even his car tidy.
She instinctively takes care of others and makes them feel loved.
He notices and recalls small details that most people miss.
She has a system for everything.
She always expects the best-case scenario.
He feels things deeply, and expresses them emphatically.
She doesn’t get frustrated when something or someone takes a long time.
Not only does he avoid fighting himself, but he also tries to keep others from doing it.
She could sell bikinis in Antarctica.
Even in strained or unusual situations, her manners serve her well.
He never apologizes for being late, because he never needs to.
This is actually neither a positive nor a negative trait, but it had to go somewhere.
He can cook a delicious meal out of the most random remains in the kitchen cupboard, or build a comfortable living shelter out of trash he found in an alley.
Even if she’s jealous, hurt, or angry, she doesn’t throw a fit.
Thoughtful gifts, sweet nothings, and grand gestures of love are his “thing.”
She feels most at home in the classroom or the library.
He may be facing certain death, or even his toddler’s meltdown, but he keeps his cool.
Not just his looks, but his words and gestures are enticing.
His good judgment helps him strike favorable bargains and deals.
She has a deep connection with God, nature, or something else larger than herself.
She can drop everything she’s doing if an interesting plan presents itself.
Her clothing choices and maybe the interior of her home show real flair.
He has a polished charm that serves him well in social situations.
He avoids awkward questions and preserves other people’s privacy and dignity.
When people have computer questions, he’s the one they call.
Her first plan didn’t work? Plan B didn’t either? That’s fine. She doesn’t just have a Plan C—she has the whole alphabet and then some. She’s not giving up.
She won’t complain about the empty wine bottles you left around the kitchen or make fun of your conviction that you were abducted by aliens. “Live and let live” is stamped into her very soul.
Despite pain or adversity, he doesn’t complain and he doesn’t quit.
She doesn’t share perfectly filtered photos on social media, or try to impress everybody at the party. She’s honest about herself and her life, and it’s refreshing.
His warm, talkative manner makes people feel good.
People naturally look to her for advice, and she steers them in the right direction.
He does things that you would never expect someone his age to do.
She’s a nut. There’s never a dull moment around her. This is another one that could be negative, but I think it’s most often a good thing.