Does your name make you sound 'warm' or 'competent'?
A US study may have determined what people think of you based on your name alone.
Syracuse University’s Leonard Newman conducted a study asking 500 students to rate 400 popular male and female names from the past 70 years, New Scientist reports.
Students were asked questions as to how old, competent and warm they would think a person is based on their name.
The study found some female names were seen to have low competence but high warmth. These names included Mia, Melody and Hannah. However, men’s names were seen to be the opposite with examples including Howard, Lawrence and Reginald.
Names considered low warmth and competence
Alvin, Brent, Bryce, Cheyenne, Colby, Crystal, Dana, Darrell, Devon, Dominic, Dominique, Duane, Erin, Larry, Leslie, Lonnie, Malachi, Marcia, Marco, Mercedes, Omar, Regina, Rex, Roy, Tracy, Trenton, Vicki, Whitney
Dr Newman said the results reflected gender stereotypes. He added certain names gave the impression a person was older – these names included Betty and Bruce, while Brittney and Brad were considered to be younger people.
The results also reflect the findings of a famous 1960s experiment which asked people to grade two identical essays written by Joan and one by John. Joan’s essay was marked lower.
Dr Newman added this could also be because Joan is also perceived as an older-generation name though, but added it was also an example of sexism.
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Names considered competent but less warm
Arnold, Gerard, Herbert, Howard, Lawrence, Norman, Reginald, Stuart
Names considered warm but less competent
Hailey, Hannah, Jesse, Kellie, Melody, Mia
However, Dr Newman said that there are examples of people having different, non-generic names and getting ahead in life.
Years ago Dr Newman’s parents visited him in Chicago and he pointed out signs for a local politician who was running for government.
He said one of his parents told him: “I don’t think he’ll go very far in American politics with a name like Barack Hussein Obama”.
Dr Newman said this was an example of why there are “clearly more important things than names”.
Names considered both warm and competent
Ann, Anna, Caroline, Daniel, David, Elizabeth, Emily, Emma, Evelyn, Felicia, Grace, James, Jennifer, John, Jonathan, Julie, Kathleen, Madeline, Mark, Mary, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Natalie, Nicholas, Noah, Olivia, Paul, Rachel, Samantha, Sarah, Sophia, Stephen, Susan, Thomas, William
