Many doll owners face the dilemma of what to name their new doll. Perhaps the doll has been with you for months, but you still haven’t found the perfect name that truly suits them. Don’t worry if you feel this way – this article was created to provide inspiration and practical advice for the naming process, so your doll can finally receive the name they deserve!
Naming is a special process because the it helps define the doll's character and how the collector relates to them. Finding the right name often determines how the doll is dressed, posed for photos, or how stories are created around them. Since dolls come in endless variations, naming can also be incredibly diverse. A well-chosen name can completely change how we feel about a doll.
Have you already ordered your new BJD and are spending the exciting weeks of waiting, or are you transforming an existing doll into a new personality? In either case, choosing the name for the new ’child’ will be an exciting and interesting pastime!
Sources of Inspiration
Some BJD collectors like their doll's name to carry a historical, literary, or mythological reference, while others draw inspiration from nature or different cultural elements, or even use a name that refers to a particular physical feature of their doll.
1. Literary and Mythological Names
In the BJD community, it’s common to choose names based on popular books, movies, or mythological characters. For example, “Persephone” (the queen of the underworld in Greek mythology) could be the perfect name for a more dramatic, dark, gothic-styled doll. Others might prefer the name of a modern literary heroine, such as “Lisbeth” (from the Millennium Trilogy). Such names can highlight the character's strength and significance, leading to deeper storytelling.
2. Cultures and Languages
BJD fans often choose exotic or foreign-language names to create a special atmosphere around their dolls. For instance, a Japanese or Korean name like “Yuki” (snow) or “Hana” (flower) could be a perfect fit for an elegant, Eastern-styled BJD doll. These names are not only beautiful but carry deeper meanings, further enriching the world of dolls.
If you want to emphasize your doll’s nationality, consider choosing a name that is unique in that particular language and less common internationally. Such names often carry the unique sound and history of the culture they come from.
You can also achieve this effect by choosing a name that includes special characters, accents, or symbols connected to a particular language. For example, the Spanish name “Álvaro,” the French name “Élodie,” or the Hungarian name “Zsófia” all signal their linguistic origin through their distinctive letters.
3. Nature and Emotions
Many draw inspiration from nature or emotions. A delicate, ethereal-looking doll might be named “Luna” (moon), “Aurora” (dawn), or “Willow” (the tree). Emotions are also a common source of naming, with examples like “Joy,” “Solace,” or “Hope.” These names are simple yet carry deep meanings, and they are excellent at capturing a character.
How Does a Doll's Appearance Influence Naming?
The appearance of dolls often plays a fundamental role in the naming process, especially with BJD dolls, where the possibilities are nearly endless for customizing a unique look for your favorite. The name almost always aligns with the doll’s facial features, complexion, body shape, and clothing.
For example, if you have a doll with long, wavy hair, delicate features, and a slender body, a classic name like “Isabella” or “Evangeline” could be a great choice. On the other hand, a sporty, modern-styled doll might suit a shorter, casual name like “Zoe” or “Aiden.”
The Role of Character and Story in Naming
Many BJD collectors don’t just choose a name based on external characteristics, but also consider the doll’s character and story. Dolls often have unique stories and personalities, which significantly influence the naming process.
For example, if the doll’s character is a mysterious, introverted type who enjoys deep contemplation, a name like “Raven” or “Sylvia” (meaning: from the forest) would suit perfectly. Conversely, if the doll’s story portrays an energetic, adventurous character, a lively, short name like “Finn” or “Kai” would reflect their personality well.
Collecting Names and Changing Names
It’s not uncommon for dolls to change names multiple times as their owners get to know them better. For example, you might initially name a doll “Emily,” but later, as the character becomes more developed, you may realize that a stronger, more dramatic name like “Seraphina” fits them better. This is completely normal and part of the BJD hobby.
Describe the character traits: write down a few key characteristics of your doll – such as how they dress or what kind of personality they have.
: browse through lists of mythological names, literary references, or even movie characters.Let the appearance guide you: sometimes, just looking at the doll and allowing its appearance to inspire you is enough. A modern doll with pink hair, for instance, might be perfectly named something fun like “Bubble” or “Cherry.”
Now that we’ve reviewed various ways to name dolls, we’re curious about your methods too! Do you have any special traditions or sources of inspiration you'd like to share with us? Write in the comments and share your doll-naming stories! Who knows, maybe your next doll’s name will come from here!
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