Credit this topic to shrogers and lisag who wrote about this question in another string...
...shrogers wrote "Just the name King shows the standards to which he held himself."
...Then lisag posted "shrogers brings up a great point: character names. Sometimes authors use those to indicate what sort of person the character is.
Any other characters in the book you think were intentionally named according to their personalities?
I have to say, Babe is a shortened version I don't care for at all. It's suggestive of a pet name I can't take seriously. I'd definitely choose the long form "Bernadette" if that were my name. Or anything but "Babe." It doesn't seem to suit her personality to me. Anyone disagree?"
My post: Long been interested in the names authors choose for their characters. My current favorite is Sarah Starzynski of SARA'S KEY -- her last name evokes thoughts of the Stars of David the Jews were forced to wear during The Holocaust. Surprisingly no one in my monthly book club had thought of this. If you've read the book did you think of this?
Now NEXT TO LOVE: On page 17 when Mrs Painter (Grace's Mom) is thoroughly criticizing Babe she says, "And that ridiculous name. Bernadette is bad enough. Babe is just vulgar." Babe first thought is "That's unfair. She never asked to be called Babe." She wishfully speculates that the boys gave her the nickname because of her "throwing arm." Then she worries if the nickname is because of her growing up on "the wrong side of the tracks" thus being considered "fast." What I wonder is if Babe ever asked NOT to be called this nickname. Recall that Pete Swallow had the wherewithal on his FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN to demand he be recognized by this name rather than Jack Baum.
An internet search defines Millie as of Germanic origin meaning “strength.” BookBrowse asks readers in another string whether Millie is callous or a fierce survivor. Hmmm...
Grace of Latin origin means “good will.” Does Grace share “good will” with others? To herself? My opinion on the latter is no -- exhibited by her accepting a loveless, intimateless marriage to a man who was most likely Gay.
Personally, my maternal grandmother’s name was Bernice with the nickname Bee. My mother honored her by naming me a modernized form, Denise. My nickname ya’ll rightly will guess is Dee. ;-D