Today, finding information about a certain person is easier than it has ever been before. Anyone can pull up Google and search up your name to find out information about you.
This is a bit of a blessing and a curse, depending on search results. Ideally, search results provide the perfect first impression your future employer is looking for.
In addition to Google searches, there are some other factors that play a part in how your name affects how you are perceived. We’ve compiled a list of 5 of the most important things you should be aware of when it comes to your name and how it affects your success.
How common is your name?
If your name is a common name, it can mean good and bad things. A good example is how people with common names may struggle to find themselves when searching their name on the web. In some cases, there are websites like this one dedicated to everyone with the same name, rather than the website being for one person.
Pronunciation
In a study conducted by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, people tend to like those with simpler names. One of the main psychologists who was a part of this study said that our brains tend to like things we can comprehend easier than others. So, when meeting Mr. Smith for the first time, you have no issue grasping his name. On the other hand, meeting someone with a complicated last name could make you subconsciously not like them as much.
People with hard to pronounce first names are more likely to engage in crime, according to a study from Shippensburg University. They say that those with names that are unpopular were more likely to be made fun of early on in their life, making it more difficult for them to form relationships.
Ethnicities
Some common names will give you a better chance of being hired, according to a study conducted by the American Economic Association. When two applications were sent under the names Emily and Greg, they received 50% more callbacks than when the names Jamal and Lashika were used.
College Acceptance
Depending on where the first letter of your last name falls in the A to Z range, there are some things that could affect your success in life. For instance, in a study conducted by the Economics of Education Review, they found that applicants were more likely to be accepted if the first letter of their last name was closer to the beginning of the alphabet.
Impulsive Spending
Another example is how if your last name is closer to the end of the alphabet, you could be more susceptible to marketing and promotional strategies various companies use. The thinking in this is that people who were called last in roll call have a desire to not miss out on an opportunity.
Names have a bigger impact than you may think, and it’s best to be aware of how others may be perceiving you based on your name alone. Fortunately, not all of these are prominent factors and your actions will still have the largest impact by far on your success.
