# Is there any correlation between first names and personality? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 20, 2001, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255 "2001-02-20T21:45:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/21 "2001-02-22T11:29:36Z")
Good grief, I just ran my name through that site cited above, and it is almost completely accurate… > [@](#): > > Your first name of Daryl creates a serious, thoughtful nature, shrewd, efficient, and business-minded. You are one to make your own decisions, and not be influenced by others. You desire independence and freedom from the authority and interference of others. You are not overly ambitious, preferring instead just to seek stable, settled conditions which are adequate to meet your responsibilities. In your personal relations with others, you are inclined to be rather serious, and not to see the humour others see, or to respond spontaneously. Your positive manner and outlook can make others feel that you are imposing your will on them and even interfering in their affairs. Weaknesses in your health caused by the influence of this name centre in the head. Head colds, sinus conditions, hay-fever, and weak eyes are relative > conditions. Also, your tendency to worry can lead to insomnia and other overwrought conditions. The only thing that is not true is the part about me being inclined to be rather serious and not seeing the humour others see. The things about my health are pretty spooky as well, especially since that has nothing to do with my personality (which I can see being influenced by my name). I have always had allergies, the sinus headache is my worst enemy, I am an insomniac, and I have a wandering eye. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/22 "2001-02-22T12:11:40Z")
Anybody called Bob or Dave tends to be ok. Not sure about the ones who remain Robert or David though. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/23 "2001-02-22T12:19:25Z")
**Oh my God!!** This is me!! I can’t believe it, it got everything right! Even the problem stomach and ulcers (well, gastritis at least). [Jenny](http://www.kabalarians.com/female/jenny.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/24 "2001-02-22T14:14:27Z")
I was surprised, too. That name analysis was spot-on for me, or at least, the way I see myself. I tried a few others for people that I know very well (my girlfriend, mother, sisters) and every single one was accurate as I saw it. Pretty amazing, actually. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/25 "2001-02-22T14:16:48Z")
OK, everybody who has gone to the Kabalarian society and returned, astounded at the perception you found there: I have a suggestion. Go back, put in the name of your worst enemy, bitterest PITA from work or class, or your parent (need not be the same sex). How close is it now? I too was “astounded” by how “close” my description matched on my formal name and on both nicknames. Then I put in my dad’s name and the name of one of our more despicable trolls (who happens to share a name with a lot of really nice guys) and I got the same sort of “dead-on” accuracy. There were _little_ details that were off in all of the renderings, but the overall description was “so close.” ::: sigh ::: It is _fun_, but you will note that to get the _thorough_ reading, you have to send them your whole name **and money**. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/26 "2001-02-22T14:29:34Z")
I read an article in the _Washington Post_ several months ago which reported on a study regarding names. They found a correlation between social status and names. More affluent people tended to stay with more traditional names while less affluent tended to use more unusual names. The study theorized that affluent people stay with traditional names because they feel that tradition has done them well since they’re affluent. Less affluent people, on the other hand, felt less of a tie to the past since the past didn’t exactly land them a pot of gold – they were more interested in what the future could possibly bring them. Another conclusion was that people who had unusual names or names that are spelled unusually (Karyn instead of Karen, etc.) tended to be perceived more negatively. This perception could obviously influence their personalities down the line. ---
**Author:** ![fatcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fatcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatcat)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/27 "2001-02-22T14:30:46Z")
There was a study done a few years ago on people’s perceptions of female first names–that is, how people respond to certain names and what their expectations are of people with different types of names. They found some interesting but not-too-surprising things: for instance, male subjects thought that Ann would perform well in a job interview, but they would rather go on a date with Anna. I suppose to some extent these expectations would affect a person’s personality–thus making Anna (perhaps) more sociable and Ann more formal or business-like. It’s an interesting line of work, but I think there are only a few social psychologists studying names at all. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/28 "2001-02-22T15:55:26Z")
Yes, men would prefer having sex with women with the name of Heather, Jenna or Tracy. ---
**Author:** ![felix\_penfold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@felix\_penfold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/felix_penfold)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/29 "2001-02-22T17:22:50Z")
Every Todd I have ever known has been a complete jackass. _A good name is better than precious ointment…_ _Ecclesiastes 7:1_ ---
**Author:** ![PeeWee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@PeeWee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeeWee)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/30 "2001-02-22T17:33:39Z")
I’ve always thought there was some correlation between names and personalities. For instance, I know a lot of Bob’s (who doesn’t?), and almost without fail they are very friendly, funny and somewhat overweight, but always great guys. Dave’s tend to also be good friends, in better shape, and somewhat independent. In fact, I’ve decided to name all my children either Bob or Dave, regardless of sex or how many I have. Almost everyone I’ve met with my first name (Pee) :o) seem to have very similar personality traits to myself. Maybe there’s no scientific proof yet, and of course it’s not infallible, but I definitely believe people “grow” into their names to a great degree. ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/31 "2001-02-22T18:02:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\*I have a suggestion. Go back, put in the name of your worst enemy, bitterest PITA from work or class, or your parent (need not be the same sex). How close is it now? > > \*\*. \*\* Hey TomnDebb, I entered my bitterest enemy (my boss!!!) and was amazed by the results. Not only did it pinpoint her personality weaknesses, it also mentioned illnesses of the “womanly parts”. My boss is having an ovarian cyst removed this week. ---
**Author:** ![G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.B.H.Hornswoggler)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/32 "2001-02-22T18:58:17Z")
How many of those who think the Kalabrian Society’s Web Site O’ Fun has perfectly pegged their personality also believe in astrology? It’s the same concept. The potted personality descriptions on that website are nothing more than generalized niceness – I didn’t see anything that said “You are a complete bastard” or “You would be very happy in a career that involved torturing kittens.” Perhaps what **tomndebb** meant was to put in the name of someone you hate and see if the resulting personality fits _you_. Here’s a test. Everybody go and look at the description of a random obscure name – let’s say **Sanders**. Even better, I’ll do it and copy some highlights here. > [@](#): > > [Sanders](http://www.kabalarians.com/female/sanders.htm) > > …a strong sense of responsibility in business and material affairs… self-sufficient and capable… competent in directing the efforts of others… good business judgment and the natural understanding of people… often required to make major decisions. You appreciate …a high standard of living. You have a strong, determined nature…spoils the development and expression of your warmer, more feminine attributes…[the name] causes tension and allied problems in the female organs. OK (Men, ignore the stuff at the end about “tension in the female organs”), how many of you think this description fits you? As I’d said above, it’s all good stuff – self-motivated, determined, etc. The only negatives are of the job-interview “what’s your worst personality trait” type. (“Well, boss, I’d have to say that my driving work ethic sometimes makes me miss meals.”) It’s the same concept as a cold reading: throw out a bunch of general softballs and reel in the rubes. By the way, it was about 50-50 on my name (it thought I was a nice guy with a “diplomatic and tactfull nature!”) and utterly wrong on my wife (who, according to them, is nothing like the person she appears to be). Save your money for the lottery, folks… ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/33 "2001-02-22T20:14:11Z")
Holy Toledo! My _real_ name is Sanders! . . . Sorry I wasn’t more clear. As **G.B.H.** pointed out, read the same text for your hated enemy _as if you were reading it for yourself_. You will probably notice that even the meaning of the text has changed, matching you quite nicely. ---
**Author:** ![JubilationTCornpone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@JubilationTCornpone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JubilationTCornpone)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/34 "2001-02-22T20:18:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by felix penfold \* > \*\*Every Todd I have ever known has been a complete jackass. > > \*\* And every Dawn I have ever known has been quite the looker. Okay, so it’s not a personality thing. Still, I couldn’t help but notice. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/35 "2001-02-23T01:57:01Z")
Aw, Christ in a high chair! I’ve been talking about this sort of thing for years! These are a few of the ones I’ve noticed (apologies to those posters whose names I use) [ul] Tammy…good sense of humour, tends to be bitchy, easy to get into bed Heather…(with few exceptions) beautiful, down to earth (often with a sister named Holly) Patty…overweight Brad…nice, fairly strong, not too bright Jeff…a lot of fun to hang out with, immature Brian…cynical, corny sense of humour Marc (only with a “c,” not with a “k”)…smokes a lot of pot [/ul] That’s all I can remember off the top of my head. If I can think of more, I might post them. But I might not. ---
**Author:** ![K-Web\_Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K-Web\_Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K-Web_Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/36 "2001-02-23T02:06:41Z")
It seems to me that the different spelling of common names mark people for solitude in a way. No one wants to play with the kid Kiel(Kyle), that’s me, because it looks like he is from far-off land. I don’t think it has much an effect on personality, but rather in some cases how people treat you. Furthermore, on a second front, if I were to have twin girls could I safely name them Kit & Kat, without them suffering severe childhood trauma. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255/37 "2001-02-23T02:59:25Z")
The “report” on my first name, [Michael](http://www.kabalarians.com/male/michael.htm),is mostly about as accurate, or as inaccurate, as these things usually are. (“No! I’m stupid, I have no business sense, and I’m recklessly irresponsible!”) There is one real howler in there, though: > [@](#): > > You are serious-minded and not inclined to make light of things even in little ways… Oh yeah, that’s me all right. Mr. Serious. I also thought that the “report” on [this name](http://www.kabalarians.com/male/saddam.htm) was…gee…_strikingly_ accurate. Yeah, you know, he just wanted to “help” the Kuwaitis (and the Kurds, and the Iranians), but he wound up becoming “too involved in their problems”. Everyone knows the poor guy “worr[ies] too much”–why, I’ve heard he never sleeps in the same bed twice. A “pleasant, easy-going, yet responsible nature”–I’m sure everyone on the Revolutionary Command Council would be quick to agree! I think they might have missed the mark just a _little_ bit with “you would find difficulty in achieving success in positions requiring aggressiveness and drive”–then again, I’ll bet he didn’t consult them before seeking his current employment. Just think how much happier he’d have been if he’d just become a high school guidance counselor like he always secretly wanted! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-first-names-and-personality/55255.md?page=1)