How much do names matter in books?

When you read a book or novel, do you look up what the names of the characters mean? Does it matter if the name meaning matches the character's personality?|||I don't look up the meanings of the names, but I do form an impression of a person from their name. For example, a guy named Monroe or Wilson would be, to me, a strong person, but a guy named Normie would vibrate totally differently. Same with girls' names: Madison would be a completely different person than Angelica. No particular reason - probably just personal associations on my part, that a certain name calls up certain characteristics.|||that's actually a really good question...





for example, in the book i'm planning to write, the protagonist's name has something to do with god, but religion has absolutely no place in the universe of my book, or at least our kinds of religion (it's fantasy). however, i loved the sound of hte name so much, i decided to just keep it, because i had already visualized the character with that name and everything, and to change her name would just mess everything up.





sometimes, though if i've already visualized a person, but need a name, i go by meaning. but it shouldn't really matter. i don't look up the meaning of characters names when i read other novels.





i think what 'sounds' right with the respective character is most important. good luck!|||Not,





I found Sly Stallone's movies had some strange names that kind of had the ring of 'cliche' to them. Apollo Creed, Tommy Gunn, Mason 'the line' Dixon (Rocky Balboa his last movie), Clubber Lang (Mr.T in Rocky three).





I guess Sly found this amusing, but I kind of found it silly in a way, although I enjoyed each and every one of them.





PJ M|||Just think about this for a sec. Harry Potter. That name is so important to many people. If your book becomes famous, even if it doesn't, people will look back and remember the main characters or characters name and think, I love that guy (or girl). Just from a book! How crazy is that :D|||Sometimes I do, if the name is interesting. Not something like "Stacey Smith" or "Kate Baxter", those are all just too common.





But you know, sometimes the names have a...uhhh...kind a symbolism, or importance to a book.