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The Name Game: How Much Power Does a First Name Have?

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The Name Game: How Much Power Does a First Name Have? At birth you are given something precious. Unlike a stuffed animal or a baby blanket, this cannot be simply discarded or given away when the owner decides they have outgrown it. A name is something that is normally retained for the duration of one's existence on Earth. Although it may seem to only serve the purpose of identification, a name carries much more than just that; both good and bad preconceptions are latched onto all names. Parents should carefully plan the names of their children to ensure that it will not hold them back in any way, whether from bullying or a connotation that surrounds their given name. Biases are more aligned towards some names than others. In the survey…show more content…
The papers by signed by students with common names were graded much higher compared to those with uncommon, unpleasant sounding names, even though the content was exactly the same. Though the student does not have much control of any prejudice a teacher may have against their name, parents and future parents can take this fact into consideration when naming any children they may have later on to prevent them from receiving lower grades than what they deserve. A unique name can be a blessing or a curse, and perhaps even a blend of the two. Peaches Geldof, daughter of rock star Bob Geldof , has been quoted as saying: "Why do the rich and famous give their children such ridiculous names? Mine has haunted me all my life and will continue to do so." (qtd. in Low). Peaches, whose full name is Peaches Honeyblossom, shares equally unique names with her siblings; Little Pixie and Fifi Trixibelle. Unlike Peaches, celebrity Star Jones has grown to love her name. Though the television personality says she was teased due to her unusual name, Jones now wonders "If [she] would be so daring, so willing to step out of [her] comfort zone if [her] name was Harriet." (qtd. in Petrecca). Some may argue that extremely odd names are restricted to superstar use, but that simply is untrue. A young girl from New Zealand unfortunately named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii has had her name legally
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