Ever wonder how authors choose names for their characters? In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the naming process for some of the key characters in my clean epic mermaid fantasy series Rise of the Grigori—from Calandra’s songbird-inspired origins to Zale’s sea-strong rebrand, Narcissa’s perfectly “on the nose” moniker, and more. You’ll get a peek at how meaning, culture, sound, and story all come together to shape name choices for the perfect fit.