Have you ever noticed how often characters in movies and stories often have very Fictional Character names-- common things like Jackson, Smith, Lee, or Jones... but people you meet in real life often have very unusual last names?
There are database websites for names, like "Behind The Name", but they tend to deal in given names more than surnames. And while BTN has a surname section, it's far less extensive than it's given name selection. My last name isn't even listed, and it's not even particularly rare.
So while it is fairly easy to find good given names, I find it much harder to find less common, but believable surnames. So I though it'd help if we compiled a sort of list of last names available for people to look to when creating characters, and they don't want to use something common or obvious-- a list that anyone can use, and anyone can contribute to.
Does that sound like something anyone might find use in?
For example, let's say I need a new character, but I can't think of a good surname for her. I go to this list, and see Belsten on the list and decide that it works well for her and BAM. Done. The world is saved from another character necessarily named Jane Storm.
Jane Belsten. It doesn't sound as "heroic", but much more believable and less of an obvious fictional character name.
I'll wait and see if there is any interest before starting the list itself.
Let me know what you think.
And good luck naming!
