Does it change their future?

[tinyme77]

Do you think that if you give your child a posh name e.g. William that your child is more likely to be successful than if you call them something more typical of a low-income family e.g. Billy?

 

[stephx]

Do you think that if you give your child a posh name e.g. William that your child is more likely to be successful than if you call them something more typical of a low-income family e.g. Billy?

I dont think so, a name doesnt make you more successfull. Neither does coming from a high-income family

 

[Samemka]

Nope, don't believe that one bit!

 

[tinyme77]

Do you not think that people are more likely to employ William over Billy because they think that William is a more successful sounding name (financially) and will work harder than Billy?

 

[kfarb]

I read in a baby book that kids with their first initial closest to A do better in school. But I don't remember which book, so I have no sources.

 

[Samemka]

Do you not think that people are more likely to employ William over Billy because they think that William is a more successful sounding name (financially) and will work harder than Billy?

Maybe someone who is old fashioned....but not someone who lives in the real world....it's like saying only people with traditional or 'formal' sounding names will be successful, which will never be the case! I'm a teacher & I learnt pretty early on that names mean nothing - just because you might have one child who's a brainbox....doesn't mean another with the same name will be too!!

 

[glitterbomb]

Nope I don't think a name has anything to do with sucess.

 

[aimee-lou]

I can see what you mean, and in principle I agree. While it's not necessarily a major defining factor, a name can impact on a person's perceptions, especially first impressions. So, things like job applications, a name can make or break. There are certain stereo-types associated with names (without offending anyone) for example: would you expect your doctor to be called 'Crystal' or your solicitor to be called 'Storm'? While, like I say they're not pivotal, I'm a great believer in not placing intentional barriers. My LO's name is unusual but I believe it will leave every opportunity open to him without stereo-types being applied.

 

[JuicyLucy]

i agree, people make presumptions when they hear or read somebodys name - im sure a lot of people do it.
but the presumption we make is mostly untrue..

 

[Amygdala]

There's a lot of research on this and yes, names can help or hold you back in anything from school to your job. But it's not "his name is x therefore he'll never amount to anything". It's more subtle than that. For example there's research that shows that on thw whole, teachers expect a William to be a hard working clever kid, while kids with "fashion" names are perceived to be trouble makers. Of course that's often proved wrong. But this initial perception influences the child. Teachers expect more of a William and William might well expect more of himself as a result. Just as an example.
Of course a name doesn't determine your success. But it does influence your life in little ways.

 

[Joyzerelly]

I'm not sure, but I have found people tend to live up to their names, maybe because some people treat you a certain way because of a name.

 

[Amy_T]

I don't think it affects how successful they are (I'm Amy and did well at school but there were other Amy's who never!) but I think it affects people's perceptions.

If you had 2 girls, 1 called Chardonnay and another called Charlotte, you'd automatically have pre-conceived ideas about them and their families.

 

[MiissMuffet]

I don't see how it can be linked at all!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I can see what you mean, and in principle I agree. While it's not necessarily a major defining factor, a name can impact on a person's perceptions, especially first impressions. So, things like job applications, a name can make or break. There are certain stereo-types associated with names (without offending anyone) for example: would you expect your doctor to be called 'Crystal' or your solicitor to be called 'Storm'? While, like I say they're not pivotal, I'm a great believer in not placing intentional barriers. My LO's name is unusual but I believe it will leave every opportunity open to him without stereo-types being applied.

I agree.

 

[tinyme77]

My understanding is that well-educated, rich people choose traditional names and less educated poorer people tend to choose more fashionable names. The names themselves make no difference. It is the background that is the factor.
I admit to being terribly biased and on first impressions would not expect much from a Chardonnay.