When a writer names a character it is not like when parents name a child. Real people are hampered by tradition and usually give their children their last name, also there is no way to know what a child will be like as an adult and naming is a gamble at best. The child you name “Loser” may end up being a winner against all your best hopes.
When naming a character people read into the name even without conscious thought so a little planning is warranted. The two major concepts writers have at their disposal in naming characters is what a names means and what a name evokes. Dark means obscure but it might also evoke images of Darth (as in Vader). Knowing that your names have both a denotation and connotation it is then your artistic choice how those relate to who a character really is.
Literal
Naming a tough character using a word that means strength or evokes power is a way to describe the character without saying they are strong. A man with the last name "Might" will be thought powerful. Likewise naming a character after a well-known personality that is strong would be a way of implying strength or having their name seem similar to that personality. Harold Schwartzengoggle is a funny name but seems similar enough to Arnold Schwarzenneger that some of his muscles might rub off.
Foreshadowing
A character with the last name Might who in the beginning of the story is a weak person can be used as subtle foreshadowing. As the story unfolds this character may gain strength and the whole thing will feel meant-to-be. Also a character named Little could later on grow to become a big presence in their community but earlier in the story was a meager presence.
Ironic, Nuanced
The most complex but least used method of naming a character is for the name to seemingly have little to do with who the character is but in some way makes a comment on them anyway. A man with the last name Might whose story does not even touch upon themes of weakness and strength suggests that there are qualities this character has that transcend power. Also there are other meanings for the word "might" which might give this character a tentative vibe without ever showing them being hesitant. This type of naming could have different meanings for each reader and audience member depending on which meaning they focus on and will likely resonate much more than the more clear cut naming conventions.
Naming is a complex topic but breaking it down to a few categories can help you digest it more easily. There are more things to consider when naming a character but these are some important ones that need to be considered. Once you feel you have a grasp on these three concepts you can move on to a deeper understanding of character naming.
