SO, i am creating a game/novel for the first time and I am trying to figure out how to give the player the option to create their own name and it will stick throughout the story. I tried various things and I still don't understand how to even give the player the option to do so. I need help. Thank you.

I dun know how but you can try out the following links:
https://docs.textadventures.co.uk/quest/character_creation.html
https://textadventures.co.uk/forum/quest/topic/3692/what-is-your-name