Abstract
In the French novels written during the first half of the 17th century, the character represented the cohesive element. On the other hand, with novels written during the following period, the titles also evoked the name of the main character, but the onomastic forms referred to individuals in contemporary life. This is an attempt to drow a panorama that explains the various theories concerning the use of proper names in 17th century metanarrative texts focussing on the transitional period that marks the passage from Baroque to Classical aesthetics.