Aislinn (ASH-ling or Ais-linge)-- "vision" or "dream." The nickname for her, "Ash," also has significance in regard to Celtic mythology: Rowan (Mountain Ash) is a sacred wood. Further, "ashes" are what's left behind after something or someone is burnt away. Ash is a teenage girl who--like her mother and grandmother before her--has the ability to see the faeries who walk among us. More than anything, she simply wants a normal life--college, a relationship, a future away from the world of faeries. She likes pool halls, photography, and art.

Donia (Don ya)-- "bitter" or "dark." Donia was once mortal, until she was chosen to undergo the trial to become the Summer Queen—a trial she failed. Now, Donia is the Winter Girl, cold, angry, and rule-bound to oppose the Summer King each time he chooses another mortal girl. Her sole companion, Sasha, is a wolf.

Keenan (Keen an)—“ancient one." Keenan is the Summer King. Nine centuries ago, his mother (Beira, the Winter Queen) had Keenan’s power bound. Unless he finds the mortal girl who holds his missing sunlight, he's unable to wake summer. Keenan is in love with Donia. He is as volatile as summer storms: he is prone to mood swings and alternately arrogant or gentle.

Beira (Bar-a or Beer a)-- a version of the character Cailleach Bheur/Bheirre/Beara/Bheara/Birra/Beirre from folklore. Beira is the Winter Queen, but the myth behind her is too complex for a simple definition. I've made my Beira is what winter is to me--beautiful and awful, terrifying and lovely. She is mother to Keenan, the current Summer King, and murderer of the last Summer King. Her objective is to let winter continue to grow until there is no more summer. The death of mortals is neither a motivation nor a deterrent in this plan. Her court will survive; the rest is immaterial. She's also a fan of stereotypical 1950s (and beyond) iconography of conservative womanhood--and a femme fatale inversion of this ideal.

Seth-- From Biblical origins: Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve; his name means "appointed." In an alternate etymology (Greek), his name means "dazzle." Ash’s boyfriend, Seth, is, in many ways, an example of the sort of men that I've been lucky enough to meet: supportive, pierced, smart, individual, and sexy. Romance and freedom can co-exist. In Wicked Lovely, we only see Seth from Ash, Keenan, & Donia's perspectives, so his moments of insecurity and worry aren't visible. He's out of school, but hasn’t gotten around to going to college yet. He reads voraciously, creates art in various mediums, and enjoys the freedom of living in a restored train--by his own rules and on his own dime.

To name Seth, I looked at indexes of popular names. Seth was somewhere around #89-#102 during the years when he would've been born. There were other possibilities, but the meaning of Seth worked best for my purposes.

Grams (AKA Elena)-- An alt form of Helen, meaning "light" or "torch." Grams has lived her life by the rules. She's raised a daughter and a granddaughter who can see faeries (as she can). She wouldn't use the word, but she is a feminist. She likes doing crossword puzzles; watching CNN, the local news, or the Weather Channel (she has a long-standing crush on Meteorologist John Coleman); and volunteering at several charities during the day when Ash is at school.

Irial (ear ee al)-- This name has obscure/unclear/vague origins and meanings. A short version of his name is "Iri” (eerie) which was just too perfect for his character. He's the head of the Dark Court, and nine centuries ago, he helped Beira bind Keenan. In Ink Exchange, he's one of the three main characters. He has an interest in tattoos that stretches almost as far back as the art form has existed.

Niall (nye-ale) or (neil)-- "champion"; "passionate, vehement"; anglicized as "Neil." Niall is one of Keenan's two advisors in Wicked Lovely and one of three main characters in Ink Exchange. He believes that doing the wrong thing for the right reason is not the correct path. He has a long scar on his face. The last Summer King accepted Niall into the Summer Court despite Niall's dubious past. His dual sense of gratitude and indebtedness, combined with his pre-Summer Court experiences, make him inflexible on ethics issues.

Leslie-- "joy." Leslie attends school with Ash and is one of Ash's closest friends; however, she knows nothing of faeries in Wicked Lovely. Leslie is particularly fond of literature, avoiding relationships, and pretending that everything is okay. She seeks to escape the darkness in her own life, waitresses at Valencia's Restaurant, parties, and in general, keeps busy enough to avoid being at home. Leslie is one of three main characters in Ink Exchange.