One of the things I’m discovering as I work on worldbuilding for my WiP is just how complicated this undertaking is. At the moment, I’m figuring out character names and (as with most things) there’s a definite learning curve.
As far as I can tell, there are basically three methods when it comes to naming characters in a fantasy setting. There are the completely made up names (Tsotha-lanti, Matrim Cauthon, Kvothe), the archaic version or nearly-modern version of names (Joffrey, Brandin, Arnthor), and the regular names (Robert, Rose, Cat). Any of the three can work, depending on the setting and style of the work, but most authors stay within one type for the duration of the work. On one of the blogs that I read, L.B. Gale points out in an entry on fantasy names that the key is consistency in choosing names that match the world. “Frodo hangs out with Gollum, Gandalf and Boromir. He does not hang out with Gollum, Gary and Bobby the Horsetamer.”
A notable exception to the idea of sticking to one method of naming is George R.R. Martin. Although most of the names in the series are inventions, he samples from all three styles, resulting in characters with names like Khal Drogo, Eddard, and Jon all living in the same world. Even the names within families are sometimes mixed — Jaime and Cersei, Bran and Arya, Loras and Margaery, Robert and Stannis. Whether this works or not is left to the reader to decide. I didn’t find the mix to be distracting, but L.B. Gale wondered in one of her posts why Martin used the archaic/nearly modern names. “These are so close to common names, why couldn’t Martin just let them be common names?”
Which type of name we choose for our characters ultimately depends on the type of world we’re trying to build. Most Fantasy is set in a secondary world, like N.K. Jemisin’s THE HUDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS, where it doesn’t make sense to have characters named Julie, Abby, or Frank. That’s where invented names are a better choice. Some Fantasy worlds are more analogous to ours, like Galen Beckett’s Regency England influenced novel THE MAGICIANS AND MRS. QUENT, and a familiar or familiar-sounding name would be more reasonable. It all depends on what works for the world you’re writing.
Based on the world that I’m writing, as much as I wish it were different, I think I need original names. It would be slightly less work to go with archaic choices, but I just don’t know that it would feel right. Luckily, there are a lot of great articles out there about inventing fantasy names, starting with the post I referenced earlier from L.B. Gale. Fantasy-Faction.com also has an article on the topic, Patricia C. Wrede chimes in, and Brent Weeks has an opinion as well (covered in section 5D at the bottom of the page). Good luck!
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