S32E5 - The Psychology of Names and Sounds

Meme culture has given us plenty of names with strong stereotype associations. Karen, Chad, and Kyle, for example. As an author, it's good to keep in mind that there's a reason these names grew into memes. It's because people naturally associate certain ideas and emotions with different names, and even individual sounds.

When you are choosing what to name characters, you'll want to consider the associations a reader may make. If you're using real names, it becomes a question of the impressions associated with them. If you're making up names, you need to consider the implications of the sounds - whether you're using more consonants or vowels. We discuss the common associations in this episode to help you find the best way to name your own characters.

First aired May 16, 2022.