Have you read or watched something and spotted a character with a familiar name? Maybe it’s the name of someone famous or someone you know. This could be a “tuckerization,” a trick writers use to personalize their stories.
What is Tuckerization?
Tuckerization is the use of a real person’s name in a fictional work. It’s named after Wilson Tucker, a science fiction writer and editor who habitually used his friend’s names in his stories.
Think of it as the writer’s version of a shout-out or in-joke. You can use it to honor people, make cheeky jokes, or give your readers easter eggs.
It’s different from writing about historical figures or basing characters on real people. With tuckerization, the character is fictional but carries a real person’s name. However, tuckerized characters do sometimes share characteristics with their namesakes.
Who gets Tuckerized?
You can tuckerize pretty much anyone you want. However, this habit usually starts with your family or friends as a joke. In this case, they’re the only ones who notice what you’ve done.
But many writers have also chosen famous people to tuckerize. This can backfire though, as comic book writer Todd McFarlane soon found out after naming a mob enforcer character after Tony Twist, a hockey player. He got sued and eventually settled it out of court for $5 million.
If you want to go with the second option, make sure you have permission. And if you do plan on tuckerizing someone, make sure the character is still interesting and fits well in the story.
Famous Tuckerizations
Here are some famous tuckerizations from comic strips, books, movies, and pop culture. Some of them you might know, but others you might have missed.
1. Buster Brown by Richard F. Outcault
Mary Jane is the mischievous titular character’s girlfriend. She’s also named after Outcault’s daughter. Later on, the style of shoes she wore grew popular, and became known by her name.
2. Frozen
Frozen is directly inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. As a tribute, the characters Hans, Kristoff, Anna, and Sven are named after him. Just say their names quickly in that sequence.
3. Indiana Jones
The name Indiana came from director George Lucas’s dog, who was also the inspiration for Chewbacca. This was referenced later on in The Last Crusade, when Indy (real name, Henry Jones Jr.) took his nickname from the family dog.
4. Next by Michael Crichton
After journalist Michael Crowley criticized Chrichton for his position on global warming, the author decided to include Crowley in the novel as “Mick Crowley.” He wasn’t kind about it too.
In the novel, Mick Crowley is a baby rapist with a small penis. Crichton even added details that ensured everyone understood who the character was supposed to be. Both the real and fictional Crowleys were Washington-based journalists who graduated from Yale.
You can read Michael Crowley’s response here.
5. James Bond Series by Ian Fleming
Several characters in the series are named after real people. Major Boothroyd, the armorer from the sixth book, is named after Geoffrey Boothroyd, who advised Fleming on Bond’s firearm choice.
Another example is the villain Goldfinger, named after architect Ernő Goldfinger. Fleming, upset with Goldfinger’s demolition of pre-war buildings, decided to name the villain after him. When Goldfinger threatened to sue, Fleming countered by threatening to rename the character “Goldprick” instead.
Why Do Writers Use Tuckerization?
Writers tuckerize their characters for several reasons. It’s a way for you to honor your family, friends, or fans. Some authors even regularly hold up contests to decide whose name will be used.
Readers who recognize their names in your story feel a special connection to your work. They feel seen and appreciated by an author they support.
Sometimes it’s also a source of humor, especially if the character has exaggerated traits taken from the person. It can be a fun easter egg for those who know the backstory of a character’s creation.
However, you do need to keep your writing balanced. Inserting a joke into your work shouldn’t overshadow the quality of your prose. Be respectful of the names you tuckerize, ask permission if you can, and make sure they fit well into the story.
Have you tuckerized any of your characters? Share your experience below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Author Surrogate: Definition and Examples
- The Audience Surrogate: Characters That Represent the Audience
- How to Create a Compelling Character Backstory
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
