Whether you're creating a character in a work of fiction, or picking a nom de plume for yourself, creating a name is a challenge. It requires a bit of science, a little art, maybe some magic and a whole lot of luck.
The name should sound familiar, but not common, and, in the case of a name you will be calling yourself, it should feel natural and easy to remember.
When I first started my career in radio, I chose to use my middle name as my last, becoming Bob Allen on the air.
This worked fine until I had a chance to move to the Houston market. There was already a Bob Allen in Houston, a sports reporter who was beloved by Houstonians for half a century until he died of Cancer last year.
As with most rules, the guidelines for name selection has exceptions.
I woke up this morning with Bolivar Shagnasty on my mind. Now that's not a name that is particularly believable, but it is certainly memorable. He was one of the many characters created and portrayed by Red Skelton. His pearls of wisdom included "Blood is thicker than water, and harder to shave with." and "Stone walls do not a prison make. That's why they have iron bars."
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