# What First Names Suggest...er... Qualities Other Than Physical Beauty? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 19, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578 "2008-08-19T18:33:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/21 "2008-08-19T19:57:18Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > These things tend to cycle - in a generation, nobody young will have ever known anyone with those names, and they’ll sound fresh and new again. To paraphrase Julia Sugarbaker, everyone’s grandmother will be named Tiffany or Heather and all the hot young things will be called Beulah, Maude or Ethel. [QUOTE=Kalhoun] My middle name is on your list. It was both my grandmother’s first name so it was almost unavoidable. [/QUOTE] You had two grandmothers named _Hiram?!_ ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/22 "2008-08-19T20:11:30Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] It was both my grandmother’s first name… [/QUOTE] Heh, mine was “Bertha.” I’ve seen her sisters’ here several times too. ‘Bout every one of my grandparents’ and great aunts’ and uncles’ names would qualify here. I thought I’d never see another “Mattie” (my great aunt) and now it belongs to my wife’s young niece. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/23 "2008-08-19T20:31:50Z")
[QUOTE=Freudian Slit] Troy? Really? [/QUOTE] Personal bias, having known a few Troys. Funny enough, my great-grand aunt – who in her day was a total babe – was named Ethel Gertrude Johanna. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/24 "2008-08-19T20:43:11Z")
The people with Emily on the list haven’t been around very many young people, apparently. It’s been a _very_ popular girls’ name for at least the last 25 years! Emma has been popular for probably the last 10. I’ve met numerous girls with this name. Including, memorably, one named Emma Leigh. (Say it out loud.) Didn’t they name their daughter Mabel on _Mad About You_. Blergh. My own middle name is rather old-fashioned: Dorothy. My grandmother’s name. People have been “Toto!~ing” me for 40 years. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/25 "2008-08-19T20:44:35Z")
My mom’s name is Harriet and she hates it - she was actually named Elaine but they had a border who called her ‘Elainey’ which irritated my grandma so Irene changed it! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/26 "2008-08-19T20:48:47Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] \*\*Griselda Emily Malvina Magda Dagmar Sophie\*\* [/QUOTE] Sophie: hot, sophisticated, West European. Yana, Dagmar, Magda, Jasna, Ludmila, Bojana: hot, East European. I work with many of these. They tend to be infuriatingly married. Malvina: hot, South American. Emily: hot, English. Olga: hot, East European. The first Olga I ever met was in university, and she was _beautiful_. Ingrid: hot, Swedish. Also my cousin, so that’s out. Anne: Hot, but she’s my sister, so it’s really difficult to think of her that way, but I have my brother-in-law’s assurances on the matter. Edna, Leonora (known as Nora): Hot, Asian. More co-workers. I’ve noticed that the trend among Asian-Canadian people to give extremely traditional names as their “English” names is reinvigorating the hotness of these names. Padma: Former co-worker. Hot, but still in university. Bother. Griselda, though, is still shuddersome. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/27 "2008-08-19T20:50:28Z")
Elliot Obligatory quote from _The Sure Thing_: > [@](#): > > Elliot? You’re gonna name the kid Elliot? No, you can’t name the kid Elliot. Elliot is a fat kid with glasses who eats paste. You’re not gonna name the kid Elliot. You gotta give him a real name. Give him a name. Like Nick. > Alison Bradbury: Nick? > Walter (Gib) Gibson: Yeah, Nick. Nick’s a real name. Nick’s your buddy. Nick’s the kind of guy you can trust, the kind of guy you can drink a beer with, the kind of guy who doesn’t mind if you puke in his car, Nick. Augustus Gunther Walter Lester (my grandfather’s name) Leland Perry Ernest Reginald Shirley Lucy Agatha (I’m starting to change on this one) Ruby Pearl Hester Norlene Norene Doreen Bernice Lois Louise/a ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/28 "2008-08-19T20:56:57Z")
[QUOTE=Litoris] Personal bias, having known a few Troys. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I think of Troy Donahue. Or Troy McClure. Strapping, manly type. Well, on the outside, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/29 "2008-08-19T21:01:37Z")
Hey, I’m an Emily, and I’m think I’m pretty good l[ookin](http://flickr.com/photos/25171486@N02/2412552938/in/set-72157604726232800/)’.\* And the other Emilies I’ve met (all around my age, no comment on the little kids) have been cute, too! \*photo taken at our wedding in March. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/30 "2008-08-19T21:05:10Z")
Pfft! You’re not good-lookin’ … you’re GORGEOUS! ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/31 "2008-08-19T21:06:58Z")
I can think of lots of names that seem to imply the owner’s physical appearance. For example, Payton and Madison are blonde little snowflakes. Kyle and Connor are strapping boys who play football. For me, the names that imply physical unattractiveness are names like Beryl, Latrina, Wilson and Boyle (yes, I once knew someone whose first name was Boyle) ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/32 "2008-08-19T21:17:41Z")
Shaniqua LaQuanda Monisha ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/33 "2008-08-19T21:19:14Z")
Man, I named my younger kid Emily Anne. ☹ (FTR, she’s [adorable](http://lh5.ggpht.com/jkleek/SHw7Oemjk7I/AAAAAAAAArM/JsKUcgoNYoE/0710310006.jpg?imgmax=576).) Elmer. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/34 "2008-08-19T21:20:28Z")
Agnes Edna Herman Francis Yes, they are the names of my grandparents and our 4 fish have these names (grandparents are in the great beyond…probably cursing me for naming my fish after them) ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/35 "2008-08-19T21:25:42Z")
A few more: Eunice Virginia Blanche Rufus ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/36 "2008-08-19T21:28:45Z")
My grandfather’s sisters were named Verda, Wilma and Ruth. These names are hopelessly old fashioned today. Sadly, I have to nominate my middle name, Elmer. It is too closely associated with a cartoon character now. At one time it was one of the most popular first names in the country (which is how I got it) but that day is pretty much past. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/37 "2008-08-19T21:32:22Z")
[QUOTE=GilaB] Most of the names here are names that, if they were ever popular in the US, were popular at least seventy years ago. That means that if you’ve ever known somebody with those names, they were probably elderly, and not super-hot. These things tend to cycle - in a generation, nobody young will have ever known anyone with those names, and they’ll sound fresh and new again. [/QUOTE] Just think, all those kids named Britney, Ashley, Lindsey, and Miley will be grandmas someday. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/38 "2008-08-19T21:32:53Z")
[QUOTE=mlerose] Hey, I’m an Emily, and I’m think I’m pretty good l[ookin](http://flickr.com/photos/25171486@N02/2412552938/in/set-72157604726232800/)’.\* And the other Emilies I’ve met (all around my age, no comment on the little kids) have been cute, too! \*photo taken at our wedding in March. [/QUOTE] Hey, I’m on your side… I’ve never met an unattractive Emily. Now how about setting me up with that bridesmaid on the left in picture #3? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/39 "2008-08-19T21:35:53Z")
[QUOTE=GilaB] Most of the names here are names that, if they were ever popular in the US, were popular at least seventy years ago. That means that if you’ve ever known somebody with those names, they were probably elderly, and not super-hot. These things tend to cycle - in a generation, nobody young will have ever known anyone with those names, and they’ll sound fresh and new again. [/QUOTE] Our kids have very traditional names - and we’re often complimented on them. This was especially so when we named our youngest Henry. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578/40 "2008-08-19T21:38:05Z")
[QUOTE=dangermom] Elmer. [/QUOTE] I don’t know whether I’d verify your preconceptions or defy them. I do know that I’m about the only Elmer below retirement age I’ve ever met, even if it is only my middle name. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-first-names-suggest-er-qualities-other-than-physical-beauty/460578.md?page=3)