What's in a name

[Pupadou]

Some doll makers name their dolls before listing them; some leave it up to the customer. What do you do? Named or un-named?

[Former_Member]

I like to say my characters pick their names. As I'm making them, I'm sort of thinking about names in the background and once I'm done, I'll look through a book of names unitl I find one that fits. I may have a different idea, but when I try it out on the doll, if she doesn't like it, it doesn't fit and I have to keep looking.
When I sold dolls at a weekend market years ago, I know I lost one sale because I didn't have a doll with a gentleman's granddaughter's name, so it can be a risk and it's not for everybody, but I believe all my characters are unique individuals and deserve to have names.

[Former_Member]

I do both, depending on the pieces themselves. Sometimes they are just interesting enough that a name would almost ruin their appeal, and sometimes a name makes them that much more alive. I find the name "Gordon" makes absolutely any of my pieces better! But alas, there can only be so many Gordons.

[Former_Member]

I feel the dolls pick their names as you are creating them. They let you know who they are as well as they take on a personality all their own,

[Innovatora]

I agree with GritsnGiggles and FantasyFlightStudios. Sometimes I pick names according to their nationality, but other times (although not in my shop now), I let the characters pick their names. They have a way of coming together during the process and so do their names.

Other times, I don't give them names, like EarlyMorningProjects, because sometimes I leave it to the person I am giving the doll to to choose the name. Letting them choose the name gives them the opportunity to be a part of the "making process".

[Former_Member]

I do name my dolls, at least in my head. I spend quite a lot of time with them as I am working on them and it is helpful to have something to call them. That said, if anyone buys a doll of mine, I encourage them to rename them. I remember when I was a kid and had an American Girl doll, it frustrated me that I felt trapped by her marketed persona. I want people who buy my dolls to feel they can find the doll's personality on their own. And that personality can change over time.

[TookraDesign]

I like to name my dolls after they are finished. I get a better sense of their personalities once they are complete. The exceptions have been my dolls based of myths or deities - I decide what mythological figure inspires me in the moment and then I build a doll around that concept and imagery.

[Former_Member]

As my dolls come into being...they usually pick their names and personalities. But, usually when I am making a doll to sell or for commissions, I deliberately do not name them...I leave that up to their new mommies.

[CoolTricks]

Most of mine have names and personalities by the time they are finished. The only ones that don't are my Momo dolls, they are all Momo but with numbers.