| Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire in Britain have found that people tend to associate certain names with success and link some others to bad luck, The Times reported here today. |
| Their conclusion is based on results from a survey of 6,500 respondents. Names like James and Elizabeth are assumed to be successful, Ryan and Sophie to be attractive while Jack and Lucy are thought to be unlucky, it found. |
| So, here's a piece of advice from the researchers for parents who want to name their newborn children. |
| "Traditional names with royal associations are viewed as successful and intelligent, and so parents hoping for successful offspring might want to avoid more unusual names. |
| "Attractive female names tended to be soft-sounding and end with the 'ee' sound, whereas the sexiest male names are short and much harder sounding," lead researcher Prof Richard Wiseman was quoted as saying. |
| Instincts and preconceptions could lead to instant likes and dislikes, according to the researchers. People are walking around with these stereotypes in their heads without realising it. That could influence all sorts of decisions; it is teachers at school, people at work or even in politics. |
| "If you are making quick decisions about people then certain names will be seen as more successful and attractive. Those individuals will be given more of the time of day, the benefit of doubt and so on," Prof Wiseman said. |
| Earlier studies have shown that such perceptions can become self-fulfilling prophecies, with teachers awarding higher marks to children with attractive names and employers more likely to promote those with names that sound successful. |
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