When/How should I introduce a characters name? ?

Question

In the story I’m writing, one of the main characters name isn’t revealed until a little later in the plot, but there are still others who interact with her and descriptions with her in it. So far, I’ve just been addressing her as “the girl” (i.e the girl walked over to the table/“____” said the girl). The problem is, it’s getting a little repetitive.

Should I just be addressing her by her name since the start, even though no ones really supposed to know her? Or do I just keep doing what I’m doing until her name should ACTUALLY be revealed?

Answer 1

If you go on with 'the girl' this and 'the girl' that for too long people are going to assume the character has no significance and just be annoyed at it. Either find a different descriptor to sprinkle in with it, but if her name isn't relevant for another five plus pages then just use her name. It's easier but you also miss out on the tacky build up of the pronoun game for something that is ultimately an underwhelming reveal.



Though this also depends on the tense and point of view you're writing in. If it's present tense 1st person then keep going until the narrator finds out what the name is. If it's past tense 1st person then add the name in etc. 3rd person omnipresent use the name. You get the idea.



Generally the idea to not revealing a name is if the name has significance. Like, someone is using an alias to help one side of a conflict and is found out by the side they're helping to be related to their big bad in a time when they're being set up for being spy against the people they're trying to help.



If the name reveal has no significance to the story then add the name from the get go or when someone introduces the person within the first paragraph or two of the character being introduced.

Answer 2

Why mustn't the reader know the girl's name?

Answer 3

Maybe give us a bit more detail? Why are you withholding her name? What type of point of view are you writing?