sharing the same name as the heroine/hero

Mingqi · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 396

I actually have one of those old-fashioned English first names that people don't really have anymore. When I first started reading romance, I was a bit upset that I couldn't find any of them with a heroine who has my name, but a few months ago, I found one that did. And I realized that it felt WEIRD. I was excited that a heroine shared the same name as me, but it was strange when the hero starts saying something like "Touch me [insert my name]" or say anything sentence with my name in it while talking to the heroine.

I wonder how many of you have encountered novels with your first names in it and how did you feel about it?

Amanda · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 289 Location: the midwest

For some reason Amanda is often the b!tch in literature, television and movies. Lisa Kleypas's Suddenly You was the first book I've read that Amanda was not only the main character, but she was also kind. I liked it. Wink

Linda in sw va · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 4707

I don't think I've ever come across a Linda, I would like to though!

Linda
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Skrabs · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 387 Location: Australia

I have never come across a Rebecca as a heroine and very rarely as a secondary character. Maybe once. I actually find that names are really important for me - a name I hate just has me cringing all book, and I'll often pick up something because I like the names rather than another book which might sound intriguing but has a Rupert as a hero Very Happy

(I just can't seem to see an alpha 'Rupert')

I don't think I'd actually like to read a book with my name.

veasleyd1 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 2064

xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6627 Location: minneapolis

My real name is Sally (xina was my great aunt's name, short for Alexina). Sally seems to always be the maid or the bar maid who is tupping with the hero and/or his buddies in the barn. Crying or Very sad

Although, recently I read The Rainbow Season where the heroine's name was Sarah and the hero called her Sally too which is sometimes short for Sarah. Frankly, I liked it! It was a nice change.

PatW · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Central Maryland

The villain in JAK's Arcane Society series last name is my maiden name (Stilwell) - it feels weird when he gets named - that's my brother's name, he's not a bad guy! Rolling Eyes

My first name is Pat and since I read mostly historicals the shortened version is not usual - nor is Patricia that common for some reason.
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Amanda · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 289 Location: the midwest

Nana · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 888

I'm bothered by heroes with my HUSBAND's name. I'm like, "Get your hands off him, you hussy!" BUt even worse is the names of kids! When you picture "Alex" as a ten-year-old boy, you just have to quit on the book.

HeatherB · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 73

My mom is a huge Kathleen Woodiwiss fan and as a result I was named after one of my least favorite romance heroines, but one of her favorites; Heather from The Flame and the Flower. I like the name Heather okay, but if she were going to go with a Woodiwiss heroine, I wish it has been Aislinn from The Wolf and the Dove - she's not so faint hearted.

HeatherB
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MMcA · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 622

I tend not to like it. In point of fact, I bought Susanna Kearsley's 'Mariana' (my name's Marianne) a couple of weeks ago, and haven't wanted to read it yet, because of the similarity of the names.

And my married surname (McA is a shortening of my maiden name) is used frequently, and only, for really repellent characters. As soon as someone with that name comes on to the page, you know their twisted character as surely as if they'd arrived on the scene playing keepy uppy with a lovely puppy.

Cyl · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 130 Location: Mississippi

sssspro · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 531

Ok, with a name like Sarah, there are just too many of them. I just ignore it at this point. In historicals, Sarah seems to be the spinster aunt and in contemps Sarah seems to be the sassy slut. Interesting dichotomy there, but like I said, I just ignore it.

xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6627 Location: minneapolis

Allyson · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 567

I don't think I've read any 'Allyson' heroines, but there are more than a few with the more conventional spellings, or Allie/Ally/Ali, generally in contemporaries. I'm thinking Charlie all Night by Jennifer Crusie which had an Allie.

I am a bit of a narcissist and am more likely to pick up a book if a heroine has my name! It used to weird me out when a hero had a name of a family member, but I am ok now with reading about 'Matthew' (my brother). Don't think I'll ever be able to read a book with my dad's name though, the name is less common and only associated with my dad to me! Whereas I've known lots of other Matt/Matthews.