I believe a few names in Mistborn and his other books have this, too. He usually changes the letters a bit so they don't sound like "Rich McAntire, of Kel'Th'nias."


If it makes you feel any better, he doesn't do it as a promotional thing- no "Win your name in WoT!" type stuff. He does it more because he's very involved with his readers online, and likes using names from his message boards and writing workshops and the like.


I understand where you're coming from, though.