If you're called Brian and didn't get that promotion, then blame it on your parents and their choice of name. Ditto for those called Helen, and for the Georges out there who are unlucky in love.
We have strong perceptions about first names and associate them with success, luck and attractiveness, according to new research. And our perceptions can have very real consequences in everyday life.
 | POORLY PERCEIVED NAMES Least successful: Lisa and Brian Least lucky: Helen and John Least attractive: Ann and George Source: The name experiment |
He asked more than 6,000 people about their perceptions of the most popular first names in the UK over the past decade, along with those in recent years. Some strong trends emerged.
Elizabeth and James are considered the most successful sounding first names, Lucy and Jack the luckiest and Sophie and Ryan the most attractive. But can a name determine our fate?
Class issue
A name certainly plays more of a part than we think, says Dr Wiseman. While many factors influence how we view a name - from liking a successful actor to disliking your boss - these perception can have a very real impact.
"Past research has shown that such perceptions can become self-fulfilling prophesies, with teachers giving higher marks to children with attractive names and employers being more likely to promote those who sound successful," he says.
But isn't it just the case that better off parents are more likely to call their children Elizabeth or James and it's a privileged upbringing that spells success rather than their name?
 Her name means business |
"The real consequence is not in the actual name itself, but in the intentions behind it," says Dr Martin Skinner, a social psychologist at Warwick University.
"Names usually reflect parental aspirations, so someone who wants their child to be taken seriously will give them a name that has weight and is not frivolous - whatever class they are."
The good news for anyone called Lisa, Brian, George, Helen, Ann or John - the lowest ranked names in the study - is that a name, and the perceptions people have about it, don't make that much difference in life, according to some.
"For better or for worse, you make the most of what you've been given," says Dr Skinner. "Your own efforts can overwhelm the impact of a name, in the end it's just a small advantage or a small handicap."
So what do people with names that are perceived to be successful, lucky or attractive think about them?
| LUCY THOMAS
I've never gone without. I've had a good childhood, travelled a lot and have a good job as a pharmacist, but I put most of that down to the love and support of my family. People do seem to like my name and I've been told it's nice on lots of occasions, but I don't think it influences the way they treat me. I'm just who I am, take it or leave it. I don't know why my parents chose it, but I know it's of Latin origin and its meaning is "light". I really like that and really like my name, I wouldn't change it. I have noticed that most girls I know called Lucy feel the same, they are very happy with it.
| | JAMES CONINGSBY
I'm a partner in a law firm and don't think my name has done me any harm in my chosen profession. Saying that, I don't think it would have made much difference what I was called, I would still be doing the same thing. It is very neutral and I think that is what makes it work as a name. It doesn't have any connotations like other names do, like Henrietta or Kylie. Nothing can really be assumed about a James. I've never had any negative comments about my name. If people say anything they say they like it. I've never thought of changing it, I'm happy being James.
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| CHRIS WICKHAM
I like it because it's a name you can go through life with. A lot of names date and really identify someone as being from a certain generation. My name isn't like that. A Chris can be any age, old or young. It's also as male as it is female. You can't really pigeonhole someone with this name. I'm surprised, but pleased, that people perceive it as attractive and lucky. No-one has ever told me they like my name, but then again no-one has ever told me they don't. My name simply isn't brought up by people in discussions. I think it's because Chris is very neutral, it doesn't have any obvious connotations. I don't think it's helped me in life particularly, but I don't suppose I'd really know unless I changed it and I wouldn't do that. I'm happy with it.
| | ELIZABETH BARRETT
I also like it as you can shorten it to different nicknames. My preferred one is Lizzie, which to me seems sparky and young. But I like using Elizabeth as well as it rolls off the tongue. I think it's viewed as strong and I think people expect women with the name to be intelligent. I think films have helped with this. When you see Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice on screen reading books and managing to win the heart of a Darcy, I think people see it as aspirational. Some say I have a very British sounding name, by which I think they mean old fashioned. Really, people don't tend to remark on it. I'm not aware that it has helped me in certain situations but I do think people are judged on their names. |
