When choosing character names, I’m very particular with the meanings to names. This “Behind the Scenes” covers the name meanings in Behind the Veil, with a bit of insight in why they were chosen.

1. Emma Randolf: Emma means “Whole/Universal”, but also “My God has answered.” Emma is representative of women in general, but I also love the meaning that God answers our heart’s desires. In full disclosure, I didn’t choose Emma’s name for it’s meaning. It was just the name I imagined in the original title “The Courtship of Emma Randolf.” Eventually, that morphed to The Ideal Courtship; then, on the advice of Beta Readers who said no one would pick up a book with Courtship in the name, it became Behind the Veil. (I held onto The Ideal Courtship as the series’ name.) Randolf means “Wolf’s Shield,” which I also was unaware of, but love.
2. Henry Randolf: Henry was chosen for a dad I particularly admire, Henry “Hank” Voss, but the name means “House Ruler.” It’s one I particularly like.
3. Lora Randolf: Lora’s name was originally Jane (for plain Jane–settled), but a Beta reader thought with the Jane Austen references, naming her Jane was too much. Lora is my grandmother’s name and my sister’s middle name, so Lora she became. Lora means “Crowned with Laurel.” Raising Emma would definitely have deserved a crown.
4. Elizabeth Horton: Though spelled different, Lizzy was named for a dear friend of mine, Elisabeth (Lis) Mubibya. Her last name is a family name of ours. Elizabeth means “God is my oath”, while Horton means “farm on muddy soil.” Lizzy is a good solid friend and very much down to earth (as is the real Lis).
5. Herman Sheffield: Herman was the cringiest name I could think of, so I disregarded name meaning there, but it means “Army man”, referencing bravery and hardship, so a good choice for our Herman. Sheffield means “Land by the river”. It sounded regal to me, so though Emma finds Herman cringy, he is still a good guy.
6. Michael Warner: Michael was named for the arch angel Michael–the ultimate warrior. His name means “Who is like God.” Warner is also a warrior name, meaning “Army guard, protection, and shelter.”
7. King Areli: Areli means “Lion of God.” This is my nod to C.S. Lewis’s Aslan. I love C.S. Lewis, and King Areli is the God figure here, where Aslan is in Narnia. This is also the reason a Lion is the symbol of Areli’s Camp. King Areli is physically modeled after my former pastor, Bishop Ron Johnson who embodied the perfect blend of tough and tender.
8. Phinneas: Phinneas means “Serpent’s Mouth or Oracle.” He’s the Satan figure, so a snake is definitely appropriate as his name and symbol.
9. Gabriel Paul: Gabriel is named for another archangel. Gabriel means “God’s man.” Biblically, he was the one who delivered messages (both promises and warnings) to specific people. Our Gabriel is the captain of the guard for King Areli. I chose Paul for the steadfastness, but the name means “Small, humble, or least.” Though Gabriel is a leader, he is a humble man, often putting himself last.
10. Jeffrey Stuart: I chose his name because Jeffrey means “Pledge of Peace.” With Jeffrey’s character, I’m sure this gives you pause. But, Satan often masquerades as an angel of light, so Jeffrey represents a promise of peace without delivering. He’s someone who looks good on the outside, but that’s just a facade. Stuart means “Steward,” one who takes care of something for another. Both Stuart men are simply the ones doing Phinneas’s dirty work

These are the major characters whose names have special meaning in Behind the Veil. We’re also introduced to two trios: Justin, Chris, and Lucio and Mary, Nykole, and Frances. These characters were nods to two special groups of students. Justin, Chris, and Lucio were three gentlemen in whom I saw an amazing depth of character and encouraged to hang out with each other. They dubbed themselves “Brailey’s Army” (After Dumbledor’s Army in Harry Potter). So, when I needed soldiers, they were the perfect choice. While there are some nods to their humor and idiosyncrasies that only they will recognize, most of their characters’ lives, experiences, and struggles are my invention (I’ve apologized to them for the things their characters go through.) Likewise, Mary, Nykole, and Frances are an amazing group of ladies with so many incredible leadership qualities: smart, independent, loving, and feisty. When I was discussing writing this book, they asked if they could be in it (and play their roles if it became a movie.) I first intended them to be, like the gentlemen, merely a nod, but in each case, their characters grew to become some of the central characters (and some of my favorites). I wouldn’t have it any other way. So, while the characters and the people are different, I love them both.