I_Write_Ivre
Invisible Fire Hunter
Do I really need to name my main character if I'm writing in diary format? I think it would be awkward to have her mention her own name, even more so since I don't have one picked out for her. Then again, I feel she should have a name because she's the most important character. Thoughts?
A name is just a fancy way of saying 'character x' so you can distinguish them form 'character y'.
A name is only needed if you "Hey, you!" isn't a proper way to address someone or if you need to point out THIS character did/is something instead of THAT character.
Good point I_Write_Ivre. I agree, there really is no requirement that a character have a name in a diary type format.
There may be, however, a creative way of introducing your character's name, Invisible Fire Hunter, if you just can't live without a name for your character. I can think of a few possibilities for a diary-entry that might mention one's own name just off the top of my head.
That being said, I do feel that it may seem a bit forced to the average reader. Perhaps more importantly, it might be a great experiment to see if you can do without a name for the character and create from his or her diary entries who he or she is as a person. Names are fun to create but it could be more fun to go without one even if its just to test your own character development skills.