CHARNAME (n.) — The combination of "character" and "name". The name of a character in a narrative, such as,
Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble, Batman, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, Buggs Bunny, Dr. No,
James Bond, Spock,
Captain Kirk, etc.
By giving a character a name that sounds like something, the writer can hint at or emphasize a character's trait(s). Character names (charnames) let writers say things indirectly. A character's name can be political, sexy, musical, funny, or
anything else, and
accomplish any intended purpose. Any word can be a person's name, and any first name can be paired with any last name. A middle name can be one letter, as in "Johnny B. Good". Letters alone are also effective, as in "J.R.", or "U.R. Ugly" or "U.R. The Best" or "Dount B.A. Fool"—the
possibilities are endless. The letters B (be), C (see), G (gee), O (oh), P (pee), R (are), U (you), and Y (why) sound like a word. Letters also sound like and remind people of things. For example, the letter X reminds people of sex, and is often used in brand names, as in "Exxon". "Spok" sounds like "spook", "spooky", or "spike". "Kirk", sounds like "
quirk". "Poppins" says or hints at "pop in" or "pops in". "Colonel Klink" reminds people of "kink" or "kinky". Though
individual members of audiences make certain subconscious connections between character's names and the things they imply, most people never ask themselves what might be behind, beneath, or connect to a character's name.
