In your state, providence, county or whatever geographical unit they break area up to in your country, what place names could be broken in two or three to produce a fairly realistic name for a person?
One place name = a first and last name (or first, last, and middle).
The first name can be a nickname, btw.
Oh, and what kind of person do you imagine having the name?
A few from New Hampshire:
Gilford = Gil Ford
A fisherman who spent years fishing Georges Bank before regulations got so strict. Now he’s off to lobster in Maine most of the time.
Franconia = Fran Conia
Has taught 4th grade for 32 years.
Tamworth = Tam Worth
An older woman. She’s well off.
Ellsworth = Ells Worth
Tam’s younger sister. She never married, but was engaged 4 times.
Fitzwilliam = Fitz William
He immigrated here from Europe 18 years ago, but is still considered a “new” resident by the locals.
Hinsdale = Hins Dale
Another “recent” transplant, he and Fitz are good friends.
Brentwood = Brent Wood
Junior partner at the law firm downtown.
Claremont = Clare Mont
Brent’s boss.
Wolfeboro = Wolfe Boro
He’s an up and coming reporter.
Raymond = Ray Mond
Richmond = Rich Mond
Ray and Rich 45-year-old are identical twins. They own and run the local breakfast place.
Alstead = Al Stead
Owns the hardware store in town. He charges you a little too much and the selection is kind of small, but it’s a lot more convenient than driving 10 miles farther to another store.
Croydon = Croy Don
Croy’s one of the middle kids in that one big family that gave all their kids weird names.
Effingham = Eff Ingham
Effie to friends, she dreams of solving crimes with her likewise elderly friends. Mostly they knit baby hats and blankets for the local hospital’s newborns.
Brookfield = Brook Field
Former stay-at-home mom now killing it on Etsy with her handmade candles
Chesterfield = Chester Field
Brook’s retired dad. He’s loving retirement and spending time with the grandkids.
Ashland = Ash Land
When she was fourteen she stopped answering to Ashley.
Bartlett = Bart Lett
The ne’er-do-well son of the big local apple supplier
Shelburne = Shel Burne
Back in high school in the mid-90s Shel was her class’s president. She got into college, finished promptly at age 22, and then has been at loose ends ever since.
Franklin = Frank Lin
Frank Lin, MD
Randolph = Ran Dolph
A red diaper baby, Ran keeps up the family interest in politics and has run for town council every year since 1995. He’s never won.
Your turn!