Arthur Conan Doyle made notes
that indicated he considered the name “Sherringford” for Detective
Holmes.
Holmes’ assistant was originally going to be called “Ormond Sacker.”
Arthur Conan Doyle decided the name was a bit too bizarre and
changed it to John H. Watson.
Before “Nancy Drew” was decided upon, names kicked around included
Stella Strong, Diana Drew, Diana Dare, Nan Nelson, Helen Hale, and
Nan Drew.
Small Sam, Little Larry, and Puny Pete were all in the running
before Charles Dickens settled on “Tiny Tim” for the sickly lad in A
Christmas Carol.
Little Orphan Annie was Little Orphan Otto, until Harold Gray’s
publisher at the newspaper syndicate suggested his character looked
more female than male and told him to make it so.