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The Kitchen Table

romance readers: why do so many...

14 years ago

authors choose the name "Jake" for their male protagonist?

Am I the only one who simply can't imagine moaning "oooh, Jake!" in the throes of passion? Or even worse, "Zeke"? Say it out loud (where no one can hear you) and see for yourself how romantic it sounds.

With all the sexy names available to choose from, I don't understand this. Take a look the next time you're in a library or bookstore at how many romance novels have "Jake" as their leading man.

What are your least favorite, or favorite names for the guy(s) in your fantasy?

Jann--who really wants to know!

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Comments (18)

azzalea
14 years ago
Don't know.

But hey, at the point of the story where the guy pulls the really bonehead move (and they all do), don't you sometimes wish the girl would just walk away, and not look back? I know, I know--ruins the whole point of the book, but I just keep hoping one of them will......
workoutlady
14 years ago
Oh funny. I used to date a Jake. I haven't noticed that romance novels have Jake as the main guy but I don't read romance novels.
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mary_c_gw
14 years ago
All of the "J" names have been really popular for the last 20 years, so I think that may have something to do with it. "Zeke"? I don't even know real people with that name.

I don't read romance novels, so I can't say beyond that.
phyllis__mn
14 years ago
I think "Ole" would be worse!!
teresava
14 years ago
Rex is the worst name I can think of!

And the only Jake I know is 7 years old! ewwww....
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
How about Dirk?
dotmom
14 years ago
An appropo name to cry out in the throes of passion would be.....Whoopie!
grandma_bonnie
14 years ago
I have read only one romance novel - 45 years ago. I moved into a new apartment and the manager gave me one to read 'cause I was bored - as only a 20 yers old can be bored... The novel took place in a small town in Switzerland and as it turns out, I went to high school in that very same town!!! Name was different, but the author had been there and it was fun "walking" down those streets - don't remember the name of the man, but brought back memories - thanks...
cate52
14 years ago
We had a dog named Zeke...
tami_ohio
14 years ago
I haven't seen Jake in a long time. I've gone thru about 6 books in the last 2 weeks, and usually go thru a lot anyway. I even looked at a few in the store today, no Jakes.
iowagirl2006
14 years ago
Ole - lol!

Maybe a Sven and Ole romance?

:)
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
The name Jack, be it human or animal has been in nearly every book I've read in the last 20+ years (and I do quite a bit of reading) and many TV shows and films have a Jack in them somewhere, even if it's the name of a goldfish.

Haven't noticed the name Jake very often but I have only ready one romance novel and that's because an acquaintance of mine writes them.
notjannaz10
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, I thought it would be fun to ask. maybe it's because that name makes me go "iick" whenever I hear/see it, it stands out.

Cheers,
J
nicole__
14 years ago
How about "Wolfie!!!". (short for Wolfgang)
:0)
joyfulguy
14 years ago
Hi Phyllis MN ... and just what, "Ole", I wonder, might you have had in mind??

As for guys' names in my fantasy ... can't think of any.

o j
FlamingO in AR
14 years ago
I like the name Jake, it's short and to the point. I like short names like Sam, Tom, James, etc. I know a Jake and I know a Zeke, too, but the only person moaning Zeke's name is Dick. :) Honest.
jannie
14 years ago
I never knew a Jake or Zeke. I think "Zeke" was the name of one of the farmhands in The Wizard of Oz. And Jake is the nick-name for Jacob. Oh, save me, Jacob.
coral_ok
14 years ago
Ohhhhhh, Kermit!

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