7 Specific Categories of Book Titles
- M.L. Bull
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 28
In many ways, books are like people, as each one carries an essence of life, inspiration, and influence of its own. You know what people say, "You shouldn't judge a book by its cover." But let's also not forget about book titles. Let's face it. For writers, choosing the right title can sometimes feel like trying to find the right name for a baby and new pet. There are many different kinds of book titles, and I have set up seven, specific categories of book titles that are quite common among most genre and nonfiction books. Let's take a look below. 🔍
The seven categories of book titles are the following:
People or Names
Places or Locations
Words or Phrases
Verbs or Actions
Secondary or Subtitles
Objects or Things
Hidden or Symbolic Meanings
7 SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF BOOK TITLES
PEOPLE or NAMES
This first category is for book titles based on a group or ethnic of people or characters within the story. Some of these books are named after the main character or protagonist, or other supporting characters.
BOOK TITLES of PEOPLE or NAMES
PLACES or LOCATIONS
This second category is for book titles based on places or settings within the story, such as towns, cities, streets, story worlds, or types of architecture or buildings. It could also be a destination characters are traveling to or trying to reach in the story.
BOOK TITLES of PLACES or LOCATIONS
WORDS or PHRASES
This third category is for book titles based on one or more words that are significant to the story's plot, or phrases, sayings, or lines of dialogue mentioned by characters in the story.
BOOK TITLES of WORDS or PHRASES
VERBS or ACTIONS
This fourth category is for book titles based on someone or a character doing or performing some kind of verb or action within the story.
BOOK TITLES of VERBS or ACTIONS
SECONDARY or SUBTITLES
This fifth category is for book titles that add emphasis of what a book is about or what kind of piece a book is. For these titles, a colon is placed after the main title. Subtitles are usually used for non-fiction books but can also be used for fiction as well. For example, "A Novel," "A Memoir," or "A Short Story."
BOOK TITLE WITH A SUBTITLE EXAMPLE
OBJECTS or THINGS
This sixth category is for books titles based on something characters are trying to obtain or significant objects, items, or things within the story.
BOOK TITLES of OBJECTS or THINGS
HIDDEN or SYMBOLIC MEANINGS
This last category is for book titles that have secret or symbolic meanings not revealed until readers actually read the contents of the books. Hidden meanings could range from the emotions characters' feel to, treatment characters are experiencing, or a significant attribute of characters in the story.
BOOK TITLES of HIDDEN or SYMBOLIC MEANINGS
CLOSING REMARKS:
Choosing book titles can be difficult sometimes, but the seven categories can be a great way to decide a selection. Books can have multiple different titles, not just the seven categories I mentioned in this post. Nonetheless, titles can sometimes be very significant to the contents of novels and books, giving readers clues of what to expect when they read them. Therefore, the next time you try to pick a title, consider the seven categories above to create your own unique titles for your books. Well, this ends this post. If you found it useful, please, give it a (heart❤️), take part in the poll 🤔, and share your thoughts or comments 💬 below.)
Happy Writing! 😊✍🏽💻
🤔Hey, writers, what is your favorite of the book title categories listed here?
🧍🏽People or Names
🏰Places or Locations
💬Words or Phrases
☮️ Hidden or Symbolic Meanings
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