Meaning of Names
Does Your Name Predict Happiness or Success?
By Jennifer Fields
You might be well versed in the meaning of your name, but do you know how your name is viewed by others? David Holmes, a psychologist in the UK, believes that the happiest (and unhappiest) people tend to have certain names. Why? Positive or negative associations we make with names -- such as a chipper TV character named Pam or seemingly unhappy actor called Owen -- rub off on people with those names. Furthermore, he claims that people tend to change their personalities to match the perceptions of their names.
Another British psychologist, Richard Wiseman, unveiled findings from an experiment in which 7,000 people were given a list of common male and female names and asked which they considered to be lucky, attractive and successful. Names like James and Elizabeth rated high for success while Lisa and Brian did not. Experts believe that names hold historical significance: Elizabeth, a royal name, may connote a sense of power, while another name may be associated with defeat or disaster.
Click through our gallery below to find out what names mean.
Celebrity Names
Are men named Matthew happier? According to psychologist David Holmes of Manchester Metropolitan University they are. He says that Christian names are like brand names in that people associate certain characteristics with them. The positive or negative associations others make rub off on the person with the name. Names associated with happy people are Judy, Stephanie, Linda, Pam and Pat for ladies and Joshua, Matthew, Jason, Terry and Barry for men. Perhaps his name is what keeps Matthew McConaughey so cheery. We know it's not his career.
WireImage
According to Holmes, sad sacks tend to be named Charlotte, Tina, Amy or Tara. And gloomy guys are likely to go by the names of Andrew, Edward, Tim or Owen. Finally, an explanation for why Amy Winehouse is constantly the subject of terrible tabloid news -- it's all in her name.
Kevork Djansezian, AP
Unsuccessful but hot? That's how the people in a UK survey on name perception rated "Ryan." His marriage to Reese Witherspoon tanked, as have many of his movies, but Ryan Phillipe is, arguably, one of Hollywood's sexier men. Maybe there's something to this.
Lester Cohen, WireImage.com
The name Helen got a bad rap in the study as people considered it to be both unlucky and unattractive. Not only do her Academy Award wins debunk the idea that she is not lucky, she made our list of hottest female celebs.
Getty Images
According to the study, the name Caroline indicates a mix of success and bad luck. Caroline Kennedy is a well-regarded author and celebrity do-gooder, but she is also member of a family thought to be cursed.
David McNew, Getty Images
According to the study, tennis star James Blake's name means he should be highly attractive and successful. As a bestselling author, top-seeded tennis player and one of 'People's' Sexiest Men Alive, he seems to fit the bill.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Perhaps his first name, which is associated with success, is what helped Microsoft chair Bill Gates become one of the richest men in the world.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
In the luck department, people with the name Karen are thought likely to get the short end of the stick. An example of this is poor Karen from 'The Office' who falls in love with Jim, who is already in love with Pam.
NBC
Stephen is apparently not a successful name. And while Stephen Baldwin has not done as well professionally as his Billy and Alec, at least he's not in 'Celebrity Rehab.'
Mirek Towski, WireImage.com
Elizabeth is not a name associated with looks or luck, according to this study's findings.. True, Elizabeth Taylor's eight marriages would imply she's been unlucky in love, but she will always be remembered as a classic beauty.
Getty Images
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Meaning of Names Continued
The jury is still out on whether having a name that rates high on the success scale will give you an advantage professionally, but it's something to consider when giving a child a more unusual name, like those celebrities often choose. Keep in mind, however, that these name rankings might have an obvious British bias to them.
Here's a look at how names in the survey stacked up in order:
Most Successful: James, Elizabeth, Caroline, Richard, Michael, Helen, Olivia, William, Andrew and Amanda
Least Successful: Brian, Lisa, Ryan, Lucy, Stephen, Katie, Emily, Lewis, Julie and Ian
Most Lucky: Jack, Lucy, Katie, Christ, Lisa, Sophie, Ryan, Peter, James, Emma
Least Lucky: Helen, Elizabeth, John, Ann, Thomas, Caroline, Karen, Jane, Richard, William
Most Attractive: Sophie, Ryan, James, Rachel, Olivia, Karen, Katie, Jack, Sarah, Chris
Least Attractive: Ann, Jane, George, Thomas, Peter, Helen, John, Elizabeth, Richard, Caroline
Recent Comments
Coopdville 03:42:19 PM May 08 2009
One catagory "BIGGEST DOUFUS" has only one name in it!"Jennifer"Refer to author's name.
XLancerx45 06:03:08 PM May 03 2009
Who ever thought of this is a complete moron. What a tool.
Dscha0549 01:18:29 PM May 02 2009
After this article, AOL is going to mean "pure crapola"!
BJDF204 10:03:41 AM May 02 2009
This is irresponsible of the author to publish. No facts on how information was gathered --probably based on personal sexual experiences with certain individuals.With all the troubled people in todays times this is a cruel way of pushing some people over the edge. PLEASE readers that are feeling down do not pay any attention to this stupid irresponsible garbage--none of it is true and its stupid that one person got to vent hatred for some people in thier lives through the power of publishing on AOL> SHAME ON U AOL!!!
BJDF204 10:00:04 AM May 02 2009
this stupid and inconsiderate article doesnt tell how the author got its facts---and is irresonsible to publish when so many troubled people today dont need much to push them over the edge. So everyone feeling abit low lately PLEASE ignor this crap especially since all of our names are not up there!!! Cant imagine what they think of Dick!
BJDF204 09:56:13 AM May 02 2009
noone should pay any attention to this crap----Some rocket scientist took names of royality and labeled it successful, idiots!! John is a great name and everyone I know named John is a great person , considerate and independant, real friends with no bull attached.. all are very successful and gorgeous so there!!
Tnbjr73 11:38:17 PM Apr 29 2009
how come if my name, Thomas, is the least lucky and least attractive, why can't you just add it to the least successful list too
Pledge2rock 10:41:27 PM Apr 29 2009
A lot of people have names that aren't on that list. So WTF AOL?
cubinicanxoxo28 10:33:35 PM Apr 29 2009
WOW!!!.... i can totally careless!! and i agree with rdhdharleygrl....
