Post History
I find much easier to first imagine the character, see it wading through the planned story-line, get emotionally involved with its (mis)adventures, then I can think a name that matches that stronge...
Answer
#3: Attribution notice added
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/162 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
I find much easier to first imagine the character, see it wading through the planned story-line, get emotionally involved with its (mis)adventures, then I can think a name that matches that stronger image of the character I've built. If you don't really feel your character alive, it really doesn't call for a proper name (yet). Also it may be easier, for supporting or eventual characters to just give any name, and rename it later, when it gains truer life in your imagination.