What's in a name? For Romeo and Juliet, it was what made their romance forbidden (and probably hotter). But what does it mean for a generation of Internet daters? Maybe a lot.
A study from the UK was recently published that looked at what names people would be most attracted to (or repelled by) when they couldn't put a name to the face. The most attractive names were: Charlotte, Emma, Hannah, and Marie for women. All very nice names, but they all strike me as very innocent, very virginal, and very sweet. Maybe the kind of girls who would bake you cookies and do your laundry. For guys they were: Jacob, Alexander, Max, Peter, and Mark. I'm no theologian, but aren't almost all of those Biblical names? They're definitely all either names of a book of the Bible or a great conqueror of Ancient times. Basically, the names for both sexes are very non-threatening.
On the flip-side, the women who got the worst responses were: Mandy, Celina, Chantal, and Jacqueline. Who even has those names??? It sounds like the cast of next season's Rock of Love. I think that's the point. For men, they were: Kevin, Justin, Marvin, and Dennis. In my personal experience, Kevin's are jokesters and Justin's are grown-up jerks/the really hyper kid in 3rd grade... But Marvin and Dennis?? Nerdsville.
I'm sure there are some differences in British names and America names anyway, but the concept itself has to remain true. I myself ave always placed great importance on names. Personally, I've never really loved my name. My real name is Loriann, which is nice and different, but I never go by that since it has often been confused with Lorraine [shudder]. So, I go by Lori, which is just kinda blah and not the kind of name that makes anyone take notice. I was always jealous of the girls with cool names that made a random guy in a bar say, "oh that's a beautiful name.". Lame pick-up line or not, I never got it.
When I was a kid I used to think that certain names would automatically make you prettier and more popular. My favorite was always Liz. I've also always been a fan of the "V" names- Vanessa, Valerie, Veronica - those are always the names of the cool, bitchy-but-beautiful girls in the movies. Oh, and I was always a Heather worshipper, long before I was aware of the movie. Alternatively, everyone knows that if you want a daughter who's destined for the pole or the trailer park (or both), you name them after a season or a day of the week.
It works the same for guys - I always wanted to date a Brad. Oh, Brads.... As a grown-up(ish), I've fantasized about dating a guy with a sexy, mysterious name like Ian or Ethan. Instead, I always got the guys with the weird and uncool names. I legitimately used to be afraid to tell people that my boyfriend's name was Bob. I mean, Bob? Seriously? I could feel their judgment and they hadn't even met him. I had a crush on a Randy and I dated a Gary. I had a really bad streak [*sorry to any of those people who may read this- I still love you but you have to know- and I couldn't change your names for purposes of this particular story*].
My teacher friends also have names they hate to see - for different reasons. Some names just always equal BAD KID. I checked, and there was a study about this too. Also British, the "naughtiest" names were Brooklyn, Callum, Connor, Liam, and Brandon [my brother's name]. For girls, no one wants a Chelsea, Alesha, and Demi.
I guess there really is a lot in a name- so all of that energy my new mommy/daddy friends are putting into naming their kids is pretty important. One of my friends wants to name her bun-in-the-oven Harrison, but is terrified people will call him Harry. I have to admit, I wouldn't pick a guy named Harry on match.com....
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