To Name a City

In my book, I have based the city (which is an important part of the story, as my characters galavant all over it) after a few cities I visited and became intrigued with.

I couldn't just call it Chicago or New Orleans. It needed to have its own name, like the rest of the names in the book. (more on that another time)

So, I dubbed it in all caps BLANK CITY/TOWN with hopes of a reminder that I needed to get a name. Considering I also named the biology teacher of the school Mr. BLANK, I was going to need to get a name soon.

I've just had a devil of a time coming up with one.

So, it was suggested from a friend that I come up with the names of the cities I like and jumble them up.

I found a word generator from the letters in these cities:

Detroit

Minneapolis

San Antonio

St. Paul

Halifax

New Orleans

Chicago

And crazy names like St. Antroit, New Faxapolis, Apolisan, New Orlis, Halitroit and Munnerleans came up. (Halitroit is my favorite, sounds like Detroit with halitosis. Poor Detroit.)

These did not appeal, so I kept the city of BLANK going.

A couple of days ago knowing that some eyes that will be looking at my manuscript are going to want a name, I quickly typed in Utopia. 

Ugh, how generic. Isn't Utopia the name for all perfect towns? And my town is anything but perfect. I may as well should call it Genesis.

This morning I had the idea of giving the jumble a shot again. This time I added Utopia to the mix.

Detroipia.

Sure, it's surname is named after a town I have barely visited that is in a state of bankruptcy and decay, but mixing it with Utopia gave it new life. And I am totally fascinated by Detroit. Maybe it would be rebuilt in the image of the one I have in the book.

So, for now, I'm sticking with it. Welcome to Detroipia!