Trying to name a character without it being too much like other media's protagonists.

Question

Hey guys. I got good advice here last time so I'm trying it again.

I've got this being that needs to be created to kill the Antagonist. I'm trying to think of title for her. In my head she's called 'The Slayer' but I think it's a bit too close to DOOM, the game. I've got other ideas but not of them quite hit the mark. The best second option I can think of is 'The Berserker' but I think it's maybe to close to Berserk, the manga. I'm trying to think of alternatives but just coming up empty on anything that'll match the first two ideas.

So yeah, I wanted to ask you guys advice. What do you think, if it should be okay or if it's too close to those other medias. I'm an independent, broke 18yr author, I can't risk any legal stuff of copywrite. So I want to avoid the issue entirely. Any suggestions or tips would be welcome, thanks in advance!

Posted Dec 3, 2023, 3:21 PM UTC

513
GlamourTouched•

The witch, the huntress, the way, the spear, the final hope, the blood destined, the bane born, the drawn bow, the Victor, the designed, the focus, the promised arrow, the sworn sorrow, the vengeance, the reserved rage, the gore gilded, the solution, the purpose, the Vendetta, the last sight, the doom vision, the peril, the endless March, the blood heel, the blood fall...

8
BladeSmith05OP•

Some great suggestions, thank you!

4
Limeboy2000•

The vanquisher maybe too.

2
rcg90•

I genuinely think you’re fine to use Slayer or Berserker or anything else you want! Those terms aren’t copyrighted by any means and I see them pop up all the time in literature. I mean, Berserkers we’re a type of Viking warrior. And if Slayer was taken by Doom, the world never would’ve gotten Buffy! :)

Depending on the size of your world and how info is shared, it would be cool if your protag had many titles depending on the culture where they’re known. Like, a Norse inspired culture might call the protag “the berserker”, someone else might call them “The Warrior,” maybe others call them “the Slayer,” or even “the savior” or “the saint” etc.

6
BladeSmith05OP•

Thank you for the Advice, some really helpful stuff in there!

2
BigDisaster•

In my head she's called 'The Slayer' but I think it's a bit too close to DOOM, the game.

Funny, my first thought was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, since she's often referred to as the Slayer.

5
BladeSmith05OP•

Oh poop, I didn't even think of Buffy.

1
lyichenj•

Maybe something to compare them to like a mythical creature

“The Wyverns” for their stealth, their speed, and their terrifying ability to sly their target

The reason I’m thinking from this perspective is like how John Wick was nicnamed the Babayaga

1
BladeSmith05OP•

That's a cool idea but I've got a big thing with different dragon-like creatures already and it would stuck out a bit. But thanks anyway. A nickname like that is a good idea, I'll have a think

1
kiltedfrog•

Depending on the seriousness of the story, you could have the creators of this being call it something absurdist like, "The Jim." And then backronym your way into something more serious, like, Juggernaut Immortal Mangler.

1

The Defiler

1
Soyoulikedonutseh•

If it's just legal stuff you're worrying about, then don't! Unless your slayer is a demon hunting, Gun toting, green helmet wearing hell spawn then your fine

Outside of copyright I find it a little generic and corny though But maybe that's just me or maybe that's what your looking for

1
Fairemont•

Though it is generic and corny, it is realistic. When giving titles, nicknames, etc. people tend to be very on the nose about it, or very simple. Why? Because it's easy to remember.

He's big, irritable, likes to eat a lot, and is known for smashing things? The Ogre.

Known for hunting a lot of a particular thing? The Orc Slayer, probably shortened to The Slayer for ease of use.

Lots of ways to approach it, but yeah, The Slayer is generic, but it's also fairly... reasonable.

1
NoisseforLaveidem•

The Chosen One, for extra corniness.

Jokes aside, maybe go for The Sin-Eater, The Devourer, The Herald, The Shade of Vali (Vali is a norse god born only to avenge his half brother’s death), The Debt-Collector, The Catchpole, The Night Butcher, The Venatrix (Latin: Huntress), The Calamity, The Unshealthed, The Executioner, The Wrath

1
Traditional_Ad663•

People are often too critical pointing out similarities in fiction. If this is what you want to do, then do it. Your work and names is always going to be compared, but in the end, tell your story and they can tell theirs.

Originality is always important but in trying to avoid criticism we become what we fear most, someone who conforms completely to others' opinions.

I know its not that deep, but from personal experience, the best way to not drive yourself mad is to quite worrying about similarities and write the story you want to tell.

1