How your name impacts your love life and your career

Research shows that your name has a significant impact on your success in love and work, as well as where you live.

What is a name? Names can have many reasons. Some are chosen for family tradition or to pay tribute to a loved one or friend. But does it really matter? Research suggests that a reborn baby nursery names does matter when it comes down to your success in your career, love life, or wherever you live. Although the reasons are still a mystery, research has shown some interesting and not-so-surprising correlations.

The difference between A and Z

Although you may not believe it matters, the alphabetical position for the first letter in your name could have two effects.

According to a 2007 study, people whose names begin with a letter in the alphabet early are more likely than those whose names end in a letter later in the alphabet to get into schools. This foot in the door can have a ripple effect on adult life, as it could affect a person’s career choice. Is admissions staff cranky and tired by the time they reach poor Xander?

According to a 2013 study, impulse shoppers are more likely to have a name later in the alphabet. According to the study’s authors, this could be due to impatience and a lifetime of waiting for your names to be called.

Family is a great asset in love and work

Marquette University discovered that people with common names are more likely than others to be hired for a job.

This holds true even if your name is difficult to pronounce. A NYU study showed that this is likely because people like easy things.

A 2008 study found that you are statistically more likely than others to work for a company with your initials. Big Think welcomes Benicio del Toro.

It seems that our environment can be affected by our family connections. People tend to gravitate towards places that are named after them. Did you know that St. Louis has a higher proportion of Louis-named residents? What about Philadelphia? Or Jacksonville’s Jacks, or Virginia Beach’s Virginias.

According to a 2007 study, boys with the same name as girls are more likely to be suspended from school.

A surprising number of people find romance with someone whose names begin with the same letter they do. Xander and Xavier seated in a tree.

A 2009 study showed that people who have trouble saying their names can have difficulty dating. This is because they are more likely to be misunderstood. Unless you are a thrill-seeker.

Frank McAndrew, a psychologist, says that unfamiliar names can even be punished in a romantic context.

If you aren’t dating online, don’t use one of these names.

These are The Grade’s “hottest” names at the moment, according to The Grade

Names for women

• Brianna
• Erika
• Lexi
• Brooke
• Vanessa
• April
• Natalie
• Jenna
• Molly
• Katie

Names for men

• Brett
• Tyler
• Corey
• Andy
• Noah
• Shane
• Jeffrey
• Rob
• Frank
• Jeff (Hey! That’s double-dipping!)

What image does your name conjure up?

According to a 2009 study, unusual names could be considered a sign juvenile delinquency and can make it less likely that one is asked to interview for a job.

It’s sad but true that if your name is “white”, you are more likely to be hired due to overt or subliminal racial bias. This pernicious form of discrimination in the labor market was documented by an American Economic Association study.

According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, a middle initial can make you appear smarter and more competent. Do you want more initials? More is better.

Management class names

Your name should sound worthy and you are more likely to be promoted to the top of your company. An analysis of German names revealed that people with “Kaiser” (“emperor”) and “Konig”) last names were more likely than those who were named “Koch”, (“cook”), or “Bauer,” (“farmer”) to be bosses.

LinkedIn says that men in higher management are more likely have shorter names for some reason. Perhaps it is because powerful people want less intimidating names?

LinkedIn and pixwox however notes that powerful women are more likely than others to use their full names. This is likely to give a business-like impression.

According to The Atlantic, women with gender-neutral-sounding names are more likely to be promoted in some industries.

This is what’s in the name. Maybe.

These studies may be more convincing than others and not all of them address the causes behind these odd correlations. Don’t be discouraged if your name is not what you want. They can be changed. People can change their minds. (Joseph’s “Stalin,” which is “steel”, is clearly more powerful than his original “Dzhugashvili.” We should continue to study this because correlation doesn’t equal causality.