The Trouble With Elara: Using AI for Fantasy Character Names
Creating character names using A.I. can be a dicey process. There are really common names that it suggests. In fact, I make a joke about that in the book The Vesper Glow, where the character enters a space where she must take on a persona and the computer gives her the name Elara, which she quickly discards. If you’re writing a fantasy (or a romantasy), A.I. loves to suggest the names Elara, Lyra, Silas, Elias, and Kaelen, among others. I asked A.I. to list the most common names that A.I. provides for fantasy characters and Silas was listed twice. That’s how common it is. Any surname will likely have “Thorne” or “Black” or “Wood” or “Vance” in the name. Stay away from these.
The names listed above are good names, and they sound lyrical and magical, which is likely why they’re suggested for the fantasy genre. But you likely don’t want to use something so common. It can be helpful to ask A.I. if your character name is commonly-used for the genre you’re writing in, but it’s not great at suggesting uncommon names.
I asked Midjourney to create a variety of Elaras using several prompts, but I liked the bowhunting ones best because they show the range of images you can get. I particularly like the one where she’s shooting the bow with her nose. The others are great though! It can be useful to render characters so that you have something to imagine while writing, and something to share with your A.I. writing partner too.
Right-handed and fierce, definitely aiming at her target
Left-handed and cocky (or distracted by your chemistry!), looking at you and not the target.
She doesn’t seem comfortable or competent here, but then again, maybe she has a sixth sense that makes her aim with her ears. Maybe she’s a blind archer! See, these images can give you ideas.
Green-eyed, red-haired, and butterfly’d. Who wouldn’t be captivated?
Face tattoos, yellow eyes, a vacant stare, and a stoppered jar of some kind. I think we don’t want to experience what’s in that jar! This is evil Elara.
