I voted for the phone book, but now that I think more about it, I remember I have used names from people I know, or at least used those names as jumping-off points to the name I eventually use. Mostly, I make it up as I'm going along. But as others have said, that can get you into trouble. A month or two ago, I needed a name for an off-screen minor character, and a name popped up, and I went with it... a few days later, I realized I'd borrowed the name from a state official who was all over the news. huh Oh well, I doubt she'll ever know, and I can't imagine it'll be her biggest concern, since I think she was convicted on corruption charges... eek

PJ

"You told me you weren't like other men," she said, shaking her head at him when the storm of laughter had passed.
He grinned at her - a goofy, Clark Kent kind of a grin. "I have a gift for understatement."
"You can say that again," she told him.
"I have a...."
"Oh, shut up."

--Stardust, Caroline K