Story Names
A great story name is the first promise you make to your reader — make it one worth keeping.
Famous Story Names That Nailed It
Real-world names that became iconic. Here's what makes them work.
The title frames Gatsby as a mythic figure while the word 'great' carries ironic weight — the name does narrative work before the book even begins.
A metaphor explained within the novel, the title becomes layered with meaning on rereading and is impossible to forget once you understand it.
Abstract yet specific, the title captures the novel's blend of science, wonder, and domesticity in just five words.
Tips for Choosing Story Names
Borrow a resonant phrase from inside your story — the best titles are often already hiding in your manuscript.
Try a title that creates a question in the reader's mind without immediately answering it.
Avoid titles that are too generic or share names with popular existing works — differentiation is essential.
Read your title as if you know nothing about the story — does it intrigue you? Does it signal the right genre?
Short titles (one to four words) are easier to remember, share, and display on covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some writers title their work first as a guiding star; others wait until the draft is complete. Both approaches work. What matters is that the final title reflects the finished story, not just the idea you started with.
Titles cannot be copyrighted, so technically yes. But for discoverability and brand clarity, it's better to have a unique title — especially important when readers search for your work online.
If the title could apply equally well to ten different stories in ten different genres, it's too vague. A good title has specific energy — it feels like it belongs to your particular story.
Generally no. The title should intrigue without revealing. However, some literary fiction uses titles that only become fully meaningful after the reading is complete — that's a valid artistic choice.
Use a working title while writing and revisit it after finishing the draft. Many writers find that the perfect title is buried in chapter ten, waiting to be discovered.
How to Name Your Story
Find the core image or metaphor
Mine your manuscript
Consider your genre's conventions
Test multiple options
Check availability and search results
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Curious about what names mean? Explore Name Meanings →