Help Sway out with some little somethings.

[Swayambhu]

I've been working on something now for many damned years of my life.

Maybe you guys can help me out a little.

Let's start with this:

Which name do you personally prefer?

Nalini supposedly means "Lotus" while Chameli supposedly means "creeper with flowers."

I like them both, so I can't decide between the two.

(hope this thread was OK to make)

Thanks, everyone.

[Azrael]

Upon reading the definition of "Chameli" I had the mental image of a cat-burglar in a black sneak suit with red flowers in her hair. I wonder at the way my mind works at times.

[Dirty n Evil]

In the sense that this isn't a "thread for the sake of creating a thread" I don't see an immediate problem, Sway. Since it is for a very specific subject matter, once you've accomplished the purpose of the thread simply add a little post at the end thanking people for their input and that no other replies are necessary - that way it will drift down the threads chart and end up in the Graveyard, if Bear doesn't tug it off the General Discussion board before it gets that far for the sake of neatness.

Personally, a rudimentary sense of context would help me choosing one name over the other. For example, if this is for a cat I'd be partial towards 'Chameli'... however, if this was for a character in a story with whom a floral name wouldn't seem out of place I would lean towards 'Nalini'. I'll abstain from voting until I get that touch of insight. ;)

[Tenjen]

Chameli flows off the tongue smoother.

[Swayambhu]

In the sense that this isn't a "thread for the sake of creating a thread" I don't see an immediate problem, Sway. Since it is for a very specific subject matter, once you've accomplished the purpose of the thread simply add a little post at the end thanking people for their input and that no other replies are necessary - that way it will drift down the threads chart and end up in the Graveyard, if Bear doesn't tug it off the General Discussion board before it gets that far for the sake of neatness.

Personally, a rudimentary sense of context would help me choosing one name over the other. For example, if this is for a cat I'd be partial towards 'Chameli'... however, if this was for a character in a story with whom a floral name wouldn't seem out of place I would lean towards 'Nalini'. I'll abstain from voting until I get that touch of insight. ;)

It's the name of a character.

Or at least, it will be, once I decide on which one I want her to have.

When I get around to writing about her, I'm sure I'll share some things with some of you guys. But for the most part, right now, I'm still working a lot of kinks out of the storyline and the characters involved, including the one I'm asking your help on.

Names mean a lot to me. I hate just pulling something out of my ear. I like putting thought into every detail possible, which sometimes makes me a little over-analytical. But I don't mind.

I'm caught between the two names because, to me, they both express two different things that I want.

Nalini seems so much more feminine than Chameli, but Chameli sounds so much more exotic than Nalini.

What do I want more? To express femininity greater in a character, or exoticism?

[Dirty n Evil]

Thanks for the insight, Sway.

And I understand what you mean about imagery of a name's meaning being important to the character themselves. Back when I was only working 4 days a week and I was attempting to write again, I named my character Llyr after the Welsh god of the sea - and planned an important life changing moment that revolved around the sea.

Personally for symbolism alone I'd go with Nalini because of the many meanings behind the lotus and flowers in general - themes of growth, blooming, feeling as though one is wilting, etc.

[thaldin]

Sway, I lean towards Chameli...

I like the sounds of it.. at least the way I pronounce it (Ka-mel-ee) if that's right =)

[Tenjen]

i was thinking a sha-ma-lee

[cyanide_sweet]

I like the sound of Chameli the best... if I'm saying it right that is! Is it Ka-mel-ee?

[Swayambhu]

Both names are of Hindu origin.

As far as I know, Nalini is pronounced "Nah-Lee-Nee" and Chameli is pronounced "Kah-Meh-Lee."

Tenjen could be right about it being "Sha-Meh-Lee." But if that's the case, I'd be more inclined to stick with Nalini. If Chameli's pronounced with a Sha, it'll sound too close to "smelly" in my head. "Shmelly." Blech.

[Chuvy]

Nalini just sounds wise to me. And super cute!

[Radbaron]

Chameli sounds to close to "chameleon" , the lizard that changes with it's surroundings

[Swayambhu]

Chameli sounds to close to "chameleon" , the lizard that changes with it's surroundings

A friend of mine thought that, too.

[Sideb(.)(.)bPlatypus]

@Azrael:

I saw 'Nalini' and thought "hey, isn't that the name of that gigantic snake from Harry Potter?" (no, no it is not)

So that's how my mind works

[Don Alexander]

That's why I voted for it