What’s in a name? Only your best chance of winning fame and fortune, says a study.
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 on Tuesday.
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.
“Traditional names with royal associations are viewed as successful and intelligent,” the study suggests.
“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 said.