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Can a baby's name affect success?
Results so far:
| Yes | 72% | 166 votes | Total: 232 votes | |
| No | 28% | 66 votes |
Yes
by Sophia Tesch
Created on: February 05, 2009 Last Updated: April 14, 2009
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. Yet if its name were vomit would it still be indistinguishable? Can your baby's name affect success?
Names like countless words or labels manufacture an emotional response. Different cultures respond in different ways to specific names. Languages need to be taken into account. A name that is beautiful in one language could mean something derogatory in another. As such, by choosing a name, a word, with negative connotation for a baby's name could affect success by causing a negative impact. Whereas, a baby with a name which is accepted or admired by a culture could lead to the baby's acceptance and success in that culture.
In school, ridicule from other children could cause a child to have self esteem issues. This could lead to fighting and behavioral issues. If the behavioral issues lead to school suspensions this could affect the child's education. On the whole a child feeling the need to defend a name that has negative connotation could cause much undue stress and pain for that child. Whereas a child that is given a name which is accepted as the norm for the group would not have to struggle as much to assimilate into the academic social environment.
Whether or not it is politically correct a name can be a hindrance or benefit when applying for employment. There are predisposed expectations that a baby's name evokes that could affect success. Several high ranking corporate executives and military officers have the name William or Robert. These are names in the American culture which denote power, strength and dependability. Is that true for everyone with this name? Of course not, but the name makes a statement before the person is physically present.
To the contrary, Norma Jean Mortenson, you may know her as Marilyn Monroe or Gordon Sumner also known as Sting. Sometimes for success names are made a little more sexy and sophisticated. Would these individuals have enjoyed the same success had they not changed their names? It is difficult to say. However, their altered names caused them to stand out in a world of entertainment where blending in can mean a career that never was.
Can a baby's name affect success? It can be a very dominant factor. Especially if that name is patterned after a totalitarian dictator or even a savior. It can start a conversation and possible relationship off on a positive note or in an explanation of parental intentions for picking that name.
A name can open doors or keep them closed. As, such it is evident that a name can have long lasting and long reaching effects that a caring parent should carefully consider. A baby's name can most certainly affect success.
Learn more about this author, Sophia Tesch.
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No
by Nina Hammiel Turner
Created on: February 05, 2009 Last Updated: February 07, 2009
Can a person's name determine whether or not they can be successful in life? On one hand I would say, "Yes." Hearing someone's name gives you a first impression before they open their mouth and before you see them. One decides what race they think the person is, what they look like, if they are high class or low class, and even if they think the person is smart. Don't believe me what do you think of when you hear the names Bonquisha or Biff or how about the names Diana and Thurgood? Chances are you make clear images of the people, what they look like, and what they're about. So, hearing or seeing a person's name could cause a job employer to decide not to call the potential employee back or may make them stereotype the person in other ways.
On the other hand, I have to say, "No" and partially because our 44th president has a very unusual name and yet he has managed to become President! So, I'm inclined to believe that a person's name is not the only factor that determines their success, but other factors such as education and environment have the potential to override the name curse!
The book Freakonomics by Steven Levitt theorizes that a person's name can affect their ability to succeed. It even outlines high class and low class names for African Americans and Caucasians. Tyra Banks also conducted a study on her talk show about the stereotypes of names using young children. A young Caucasian child whose name was Deidrica was assumed to be an overweight, African American by the panel. Meanwhile, the same panel assumed that a young African American named Ashleigh was a thin, wealthy, blonde Caucasian woman.
Names are important. On a resume or a college application they act as a first impression. And unfortunately depending on where you live and whom you may interact with they may make unfair judgments about you based on your name. This is a fact.
Yet another fact is that your name doesn't make you. Names don't prevent you from getting a college education, names don't determine what you can achieve, and names don't stop you from reaching your dreams. Ask the kids whose parents ironically named them Winner and Loser. Loser went on to achieve success in life, while Winner ended up being a convicted felon.
A name is just that. It's a name. How successful you are in life involves much more than just your name. It involves your drive, your determination, your environment, and your education. It also involves others willingness to overlook their own prejudices and stereotypes. So ultimately, a name will not determine your success, you do. Just ask Barack Hussein Obama.
Learn more about this author, Nina Hammiel Turner.
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