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One of the challenges of writing characters who have names that are not commonly found in your culture is that you don’t usually have a clear idea what those names connote for people. For example, in the United States, certain names bring certain stereotypical images to mind, and when a mangaka uses one of those names for a character and it does not fit, the result can be rather disconcerting.

For example, take a look at this character from Pandora Hearts:

If you grew up in the US, you probably have a hard time believing that this character is named “Rufus.” People named Rufus do not look like this. You expect a heavyset, greasy looking man with an unruly moustache and some kind of dental issues. He probably wears a plaid flannel shirt and baseball cap.

Now look at this guy from 07-Ghost:

His name is "Frau.” If you know any German at all, you know Frau means “woman” in German. Is this a woman? Of course not.

Next we examine this character from Kieli:

His name? Harvey. Okay I can see a Harvey smoking a cigarette, but this character is too young, skinny and pretty to be a Harvey. “Harvey” you expect to look kind of like “Rufus” except maybe a little cleaner because he probably drives a cab in New York City.

Anyway, I just had to put this out there.