Naming things, places, and people is one of my favorite aspects of writing a story. Names are inherently powerful. Whether we like it or not, our names help to shape who we are, and in fiction, a well-chosen name goes a long way toward characterization or story-building. As a writer, I love to choose names that echo mythology, folklore, other stories, or certain words in our language. I like it best when names tell us a lot more than who or where or what.

In The Star Shard, then:

The Thunder Rake (for an absolutely staggering look at the visual evolution of the Thunder Rake, don’t miss Emily’s blog post at http://fabledearth.blogspot.com/) — This one is fairly straightforward. The Thunder Rake is an enormous wagon with a city on its many decks. As it crawls across the lands by means of levers and gears that drive a system of land-gouging claws, it makes noises like peals of thunder. The claws crash into the ground. The superstructure rumbles. And I was thinking, too, of a garden rake — we’ve all used them to scour and sweep the soil. Imagine if you were a titanic being, and the rake in your hands made the earth shake. That’s the spirit behind the name Thunder Rake!

Cymbril — She’s our main character in The Star Shard. First, I wanted a pretty name. Second, I wanted it to reflect the music that fills her soul and comes pouring out. I based her name on the word “cymbal.” Certainly her canonical scream in the first chapter is like a cymbal crash that sets her adventures in motion! Third, I was influenced by the names in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, names such as Idril Celebrindal, Celebrian, Galadriel, and others — beautiful, powerful elvish ladies. That’s the essence of our Cymbril.

Loric — He’s one of the Sidhe or Fey Folk. I wanted his name to include the word “lore,” the very stuff of legend and story. My own name is Frederic, and I think that “-ic” on the end adds a nice flourish — makes it a proper, solid name.

Rombol — In the story of Pinocchio, the wooden doll who comes to life as a boy, there’s a wicked slave-master named Stromboli. His name is actually borrowed from the name of a fiery volcano in Italy, Mt. Stromboli. That’s perfect for his character! I continued the tradition, giving it my own twist. I lifted out the middle of Stromboli — “Rombol.” I liked the round “o” sounds, which speak to me of bigness and solidity. I like the way the name resembles “rumble.” Rombol, like Stromboli, is the master of many slaves.

Wiltwain — A sprawling operation such as the Thunder Rake needs an Overseer, and Wiltwain fills the role. The Rake’s second-in-command, he is tough, competent, formidable, astute, perceptive, and perhaps a bit wiser and more realistic than his master, Rombol. He also turned out to be more sympathetic and compassionate than I’d expected, which surprised me. When I started writing, I supposed he would be nothing but an antagonist to Cymbril. But he is a fair and sensitive individual; when dealing with a character such as our heroine, how can he not be secretly rooting for her? His name is derived from two parts. The first is “wilt,” in the sense of plants and flowers wilting, withering — his presence is severe and searing — yet perhaps also in the archaic future tense of “thou wilt” — it may be that a man such as Wiltwain is the future of the Thunder Rake; he has the mettle of a true leader. The second part of his name is “wain,” an old word for “wagon.” And “wagon,” of course, refers to the Thunder Rake, his home.

Urrt and the Urrmsh — The Armfolk, also called the Strongarms — Urrmsh in their own language — are the gentle, peaceful, powerful creatures who drive the Thunder Rake forward by rowing it, turning the gears that propel it forward. They also more or less “know everything.” Their songs, endlessly repeated and steadily built upon as new information is collected, recount wisdom gleaned from far and wide; they recapitulate facts, memories, and beliefs in the medium of fluid, purring songs incomprehensible to the human ear. Among them, Urrt is Cymbril’s closest friend. The way to pronounce these names is as follows:

1. Stick your lips way out in a circular shape.

2. Say “oo” as in “blue” or “food.”

3. As you begin to draw your lips back, begin to flutter your tongue. This produces a natural, whispery “r” sound, like a giant cat purring.

4. By the time your lips are back against your face, you can finish off the name with a “t” for “Urrt” or an “msh” for “Urrmsh.” For “Urrmsh,” be sure to draw out the “sh.” You can’t possibly go too quickly for names in Urrmsh! If you want to continue the “rr” for awhile, that’s fine — the Armfolk would approve!

Hysthia Giltfeather — I wanted her name to sound a little like “hysteria,” and also to sound proud, ornamental, and somewhat ridiculous. A feather with a gold coating — what could be more ornamental and ridiculous than that?

Runa — I had a student in Japan named Runa. She was serious and businesslike, like the kitchen-maid Cymbril bribes.

Gerta and Berta Curdlebree — I was thinking of the verb “curdle,” as when milk goes bad.

The Knights — You may wonder why sometimes they’re called “The Knights of the Fountains” and sometimes “The Knights Fountainers.” I was thinking of real history there, how the Knights Templar were known as the Knights Templars or simply the Templars, and there were also the Knights Hospitallers. I would guess our knights are sometimes simply called “the Fountainers.” As to what the Fountains are — that’s the subject for another tale!

Ranunculus — To avoid spoilers, I would encourage you to look up this word in your dictionary, and pay special attention to its origins in the Latin rana.

If there are questions about additional character or place names, please feel free to ask!