When I name a character, I rarely just go with whatever sounds cool. A name has weight—it carries culture, meaning, and a sense of belonging in the world. So, when I’m choosing one, I ask myself a few questions:

Where did this name come from? Would someone with this background realistically have it?

What does it mean, and does that meaning reflect who the character is or what they represent?

Can my (mostly English-speaking) readers pronounce it without needing a PhD in linguistics?

Because the epic mermaid fantasy Rise of the Grigori series pulls from so many languages and mythologies, I spend a lot of time balancing accuracy with readability. Here’s a peek behind the curtain at a few of the choices that shaped my cast.

Calandra

Calandra kor’Delphine, Rise of the Grigori. Explore her character wiki here.

A Greek name meaning lark. Since Calandra is an undine (mermaid) whose magic is expressed through her voice, naming her after a songbird felt perfect. It’s lyrical, unique, and easy to pronounce—three boxes I like to tick. Most undines have Greek names, though there are exceptions, reflecting the influence of humans in their world.

Zale

Zale Teague, Rise of the Grigori. Explore his character wiki here.

Zale means sea strength in Greek, which couldn’t be more fitting for the hero who grew up by the Cornish coast. In an earlier version of the story, Zale’s name was Carlos—back when he was raised in Portugal. But researching 18th-century Portuguese peasant life turned out to be a nightmare, and I eventually moved his upbringing to Cornwall, which already has its own mermaid legends (refer to the Mermaid of Zennor).

The name change also solved a readability issue—two main characters with names starting with C (Calandra and Carlos) was confusing, especially for readers with dyslexia or ADHD. When I found “Zale,” it clicked instantly. It was strong, unusual, and unmistakably him—and gave a nod to the Greek culture his undine mother grew up in.

Narcissa

Narcissa kor’Adonia, Rise of the Grigori. Explore her character wiki here.

A reviewer once called this name “on the nose,” and honestly… fair. But when you have a narcissistic, manipulative character, why pretend otherwise? Narcissa (from the Greek narkissos, meaning “narcissus”) is as beautiful as she is self-absorbed, and that’s the point.

Damon

This not-totally accurate illustration is the closest thing I have to an image of Damon. Get this design on a mug here.

When Semyaza—the story’s primary antagonist—first appears, it’s in Calandra’s dream, disguised as one of her own kind, calling himself Damon. He hides everything except his golden eyes, which betray his true nature. The name Damon literally means demon, so it’s a subtle clue from the start that he’s not what he seems.

Semyaza, by the way, is drawn from the Book of Enoch, a non-canonical text that names him as one of the fallen Watchers. If you’re curious how I weave biblical mythology into this world, I dig into that more in this post.

Abela

Abela Bethel, Rise of the Grigori. Get more art featuring Abela here.

Zale’s guardian cherubim, Abela, first appears under another name—Talwyn, a Welsh name meaning peaceful. I chose it simply because I liked it, and it made sense geographically. When she reappears as Abela, though, her name becomes more symbolic.

“Abela” is Hebrew for breath, the same word used for the Holy Spirit—and it also carries meanings like noble, bright, and strong. Those nuances fit her perfectly: an otherworldly protector whose very existence challenges the racial and social hierarchies of her world.

The Chapmans

When it comes to family names, I try to stay historically accurate while being respectful of real-world families who share those surnames. My goal is to honour the period and culture without implying anything about actual historical or modern families.

In the case of the Romani Chapman clan, I originally used “Stanley,” another real Romanichal family name, before switching. It may have been due to regional research, but either way, “Chapman” fit just as well.

For the Romani first names, I drew on documented naming patterns from the 18th and 19th centuries, which included Roman-inspired names (Lucius, Britannia) alongside others adopted through cultural blending (Eric, Josefine, Gio). The Romani have always adapted to the cultures around them, and I wanted their names to reflect that.

And then there’s Marin Stanley—who appears at the end of The Sphinx’s Heart and will play a larger role in future volumes. Let’s just say her name’s connection to the sea isn’t an accident. (No spoilers.)

For more about how the Romani figure into this series and why, refer to this post.

Choosing names might seem like a small detail, but to me, it’s part of the storytelling—each one adds a layer of meaning, history, or foreshadowing.

If there’s a name from the series you’ve been curious about—drop it in the comments! I might feature it in the next “Behind the Name” installment.

Want to learn more?

Mermaids. Magic. And a search for redemption that could tear the world apart…

Three thousand years ago, a Mad undine healer sank Atlantis. Ever since, the Heartstone that protects the undines’ island has been failing and they haven’t produced a single boy. As the most powerful healer in three millennia, Calandra is the last hope of not only her people, but the entire world. Because if she can’t figure out how to undo her ancestor’s mistake, the Father of Lies will unleash hell on Earth.

Packed with complex characters, lush world-building, gritty action, and impossible odds, this intricately woven epic fantasy series presents mermaids and dragons like you’ve never seen them before.

Join Calandra in a search for redemption that could threaten the very fabric of the universe!

Learn more Other posts in this blog series:

A new song for mermaid fantasy lovers

This week, I released a song inspired by Rise of the Grigori called “Redemption (Raise the Tide)”, a cinematic rock anthem about Calandra’s fight for the freedom and truth her island (and the world) needs. You can check it out in here (currently still early access for Books and Tea League members).

New release: “Redemption (Raise the Tide)” is a powerful rock anthem from the epic mermaid fantasy world of Rise of the Grigori, inspired by Calandra’s courageous fight for truth, freedom, and love.

The other song from the series that I released a couple weeks ago, “Elyon’s Children (A Mermaid Lullaby)” is now public too.

Enjoy!