Is it ok to make up names in a book?

Question

Is it ok to make up names in a book?
The name of a character in my book, well all of them, I made up their names. Is this ok? I have no clue where they are derived from as I made them up.

Answer

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making up the names of characters for your book. What really caught my eye is that you say you have no idea what your characters names quotmeanquot because you made them up. If thats the case, try Googling the name, or even checking a baby name web site to see if maybe it means something in another language. If not, then that means you get to decided what the characters names will mean. brbrFor example, I want to name my character Allicio. I check Google, and that spelling tells me that there is an Australian skin care company named that. So, that bothers me a little, I dont want someone to equate my character with skin care, so I change it a little. Alicio, which does in fact have a meaning! A baby name web site lets me know that its a form of Alexander, and means quotWarriorquot. My character is a fighter, so it fits, and since the web site lets me know the name is very rare, its not likely to pop up often enough. So I settle, and decide thats the name Im going with.brbrbrAgain, the book is your idea, and ultimately, if you decide on a name for a character, thats the characters name. What it means, or if it has a specific origin doesnt really matter, as long as you like the name.