Names in Osterin have a tendency to follow certain conventions. There are a few names that deviate from the rules, but most of them will fall within the following parameters:
Male names contain more hard or sharp sounds like K, T, or B, and will always (usually) end in a consonant. Examples: Isem, Tomat, Armel, Bayett, Tarvin, Timal, Arlin, Jordel, Toril, etc.
Female names tend to be softer, and will usually end in a vowel. There are more exceptions to this rule (Loral, Millian, Meris) than there are to the male name rule. Examples: Angeli, Tori, Sasha, Sera, Rienna, Reyna, Shirina, etc.
While first names are similar in both the Eastern and Western nations, last names still have some differences. Families originally from the west will have names that consist of several (usually three) distinct syllables and usually end in an A or U. Examples: Tori Bamaru, Armel Nairobu, Nik Subata.
Last names of families from the east are more likely to end in a consonant, most likely an N, and are usually two syllables. Examples: Bayett Laysen, Angeli Roinen, Loral Feynan.
Editing progress: Not much over the holidays, though I have organized what needs to be done. There are currently 41 scenes that need more significant revisions (adding important bits or changing some details), 27 that need minor changes (adding tension or rewriting bits that don’t flow well), and 5 new scenes to write.
You said there are exceptions to the naming rules, are those exceptions typically because the parents are trying to make a point(ie. giving girls masculine name because they wanted a boy)? Or just because they think the name sounds nice?
I’m looking forward to reading that book… keep up the good work on editing.
A little bit of both, I think. It’s also worth noting that, when a girl’s name doesn’t end in a vowel, it’s usually composed entirely of soft sounds. Loral, Millian, Meris, etc. wouldn’t really pass for boys names, mainly for that reason. A name like Lokal, Mattian, or Makis would never be given to a girl (unless the parents are particularly cruel). On the other hand, Loka, Mattia and Maki would still be somewhat feminine (though admittedly a little odd sounding).
It’s funny that these rules hold so well, since I didn’t come up with them until after I’d named all the characters.