Names Are Shorthand For Descriptions

Anything that has a name can be described in a much more elaborate manner.  A pen is a tool used to apply ink to a medium.  A mirror is an object that reflects light, so as to show what is in front of it.

Although these descriptions are accurate, and could be used by themselves, they're pretty cumbersome.  To save time, space, and words, we give these concepts names.  Now, we can wrap those things up into a neat little package.

If, in your writing, you find yourself using a descriptive phrase several times, make up a name for it.  Fantasy and science fiction writers do it all the time (some, perhaps, to the extreme), and it makes things much easier to handle for the writer and the reader.

Don't be afraid to make up a name, either.  You can try to be clever by having it be related to what you are describing or you can pull it completely out of thin air just so it sounds good.  As long as you are clear and consistent, the audience will generally go with it.

One last thought on the matter: I've been talking about names for objects in this post.  Well, people have names, too.  And the names that people have function exactly the same.  Names, for both real people and fictional characters, are a shorthand for everything that those people are.  Their looks, heritage, family, actions, interests, absolutely everything about them is described by their name.