Writer's Block

One of the areas of fiction writing that really bogs me down is choosing the names of the characters. If I don't resonate with a name, then I can't move any further. The problem seems to be that I originally choose a name that I later decide is not marketable. I need to change it. For instance, I may refer to my character as Mickey Mouse. That name may fit him well, but then I think, "I can't use that name because it is trademarked."

When I realize that I've chosen a name for a character that is also the name of a friend, I cringe when that character goes off into an area of the plot that would upset my friend. So I change the name, and the character usually doesn't survive the surgery.

One of the reasons I ditched my online novel is because I could not write about "Oaneta" anymore. That was a "safe" name. I made it up. Where did I get it? It is derived from Pamela typed with my fingers on the wrong keys. LOL

Does anyone know of a reference work that has researched the connotation that names bring to the average reader? I use baby names books all the time for meanings.

A Google search brought up this site: http://www.kabalarians.com/ . The Kabalarian philosophy is that your name creates your mind.

For example, I typed in "Pamela" (well, first I typed in Oaneta, not in database, well duh... LOL). This is what came up for Pamela:

"Brief Analysis

"Your first name of Pamela has made you happiest when you are expressing in some creative, artistic way, and not conforming to strict routine. In a large group of comparative strangers, you are quiet and rather shy, unable to express yourself, not really wanting to become involved in conversation. On the other hand, among friends with whom you feel at ease, you are expressive, witty, and quite charming. These contrasting natures make it difficult for people to understand you and can lead to friction in your personal life. You are deep, philosophical, and refined, but your extremely sensitive nature causes you to become depressed and self-pitying over any real or imagined slight. If you are not careful, people take advantage of your generous nature. You find the beauties of nature, fine music, art, and literature--all the deeper things of life--inspiring. The reserved, sensitive side of your nature brings aloneness and friction into your life, although you crave affection and understanding."

Some of the paragraph is a bit lofty, but I can't disagree with anything in it.

What's in a name? Would a 'Pamela' by any other name be as sweet?

Oaneta
(ROFL, I really typed that first without thinking)
author, writer, poet, alter-ego of Pamela