Why Stories Work

Anagrams are the letters of a word, phrase, or name rearranged to form a different word, phrase, or name. Letters, representing specific sounds, communicate emotional content and trigger different chemicals in the hearer's body. Anagrams, because they contain the same sounds as the source word, often communicate similar emotional and chemical stimuli.

When choosing a name for a character, a writer can explore anagrams for additional insights into personality traits, story roles, the character's self-image, and how other characters may react to him/her. Even silly anagrams may spark the writer's imagination in ways that otherwise might never have been considered. Flattering anagrams may suggest hidden qualities, while unflattering anagrams may suggest villains, shadow archetypes, or interpersonal conflict. For example: a plus-sized, buttoned-down chic lit heroine named Brittany ("tiny brat") might struggle with envying her petite, spoiled sister.

Here are examples of anagrams for some popular female and male names:

Andrew = wander, warden, warned
Brittany = tiny brat
Craig = cigar
Deborah = do rehab, bad hero
Ernest = resent, tenser
Florence = elf crone
Gerald = glared
Heidi = I hide
Irving = virgin
Jewell = we jell
Kareem = remake
Lisa = sail
Martin = tin arm
Nicole = I clone, no lice
Orville = I'll rove
Pamela = a maple
Quinton = non quit
Regina = regain, I range, I anger, in gear, in rage
Sean = sane
Teresa = teaser
Uriel = I rule
Valerie = I reveal, evil era
Wendell = we'll end
Xena = an ex
Yolando = loony ad
Zelda = lazed

Anagram shareware can be found online for PCs and Macintoshes, usually as part of puzzle game software. The following web sites offer free simplified browser-based anagram searches:

Anagram Logic Anagram Finder

Anagram Genius

The Anagram Engine

Internet Anagram Server