I have always hated the generic names and won't use it in my story. And the name I used for my characters will almost always reflect something from that characters whether it would be their personality, their end-goal, their relevance to the plot, etc. So, everytime a significant character pops up, I use some parts of their character and translated it into Latin. Then use said Latin word for their name and surname. But, in order to not make it too generic or too predictable for those who know Latin and the like, I needed to change the words slightly before using it. Here comes my question, how could I change the words to burr the original meaning from it and still making it sound smooth?
I agree with this - take the latin words, then rearrange, add or remove letters until you are satisfied with the result.
Just write it first. Then speak it aloud repeatedly. Whenever you stumble and accidentally said something else, you've got a new smoother name. See here: Australia Belgium *speak it aloud repeatedly until it becomes, for ekusuzample* Ostrea Bergean or Missouri Mexico into Miuri Meriko Which sounds like a nice name for a noble girl.
Try combining things or words Ex. Astray fate crushed ice Then change it up a little Ex. Atrae fae chuzia
Well, depends on the culture in the story. I oftentimes write the world in a not real-world setting with fictional culture, which of course have their own naming conventions. So the name will be the reflection of their culture. If you want to give name from Latin. just twist or swap them. Then : REX INVICTUS! into Invi Rectus or Japanise it: Rekusuinhikutusu = Rekusuin hikutusu = Reksean Hictus or DIES IRAE into Diar Ires or Japanise it: Diesuiree = Die Suiree Or just make it up: (line of sight name): Slim 1 Inch Design Onekey Recovery (from my Lenovo laptop sticker), if I had to latinize them then: Consul Sulius Onus Minchus and Consul Desinus Oncirius Coberinus lead the Novolapian Senate on the year 540 AbsUrbe. Or you can just send me the name and let me twist it for you.