Do you think first names can reflect your personality?

When I worked on a labour ward, I frequently had to bite my tongue at some if the names that I heard for the new baby. Quite often, my response had to be a non-committal, “How unusual”, or a Mrs Brown-like, “That’s nice”!
Ida Mary Rose, in Wales, Dylan is a highly respected, if somewhat frequently encountered, name (viz Dylan Thomas).
In our part of Wales, it was quite usual for girls to be given Grandma’s name as a first name, then be known by the second name. Otherwise, if turning up at a family gathering, all the girls would answer to the same name. I have 5 girl cousins, so you can just imagine. However, the concept of using your second name does cause hassle, especially when filling in forms asking for your first name, when my signature is my second name, or people calling the name you don’t answer to, eg when coming round from anaesthetic, or sitting in dentist’s waiting rooms. Compounded in my case by using my maiden name for most things, and my married name only for family things. I have been known to sit in doctor’s waiting rooms while the receptionist calls for me by by first name and married name, neither of which I respond to!

I think it is the other way around; the chosen name can affect the personality. There was a study done showing that the shorter or harder vowel sounding women's names were more prevalent in sciences in university, and more feminine/softer sounding were in arts.

So Catherine, Elizabeth and Jane may end up to be a doctor, Trisha or Daisy or Latoya not so much. People have ingrained biases based on financial status, culture. They may consider a Catherine more seriously right from the age of 5 and put her in charge of a group in a game, etc, therefore the child will grow into the name.

I would like to think this is not true, but i'm sure it is.

I had an uncle Septimus and an uncle Hector both salt of the earth. I did wonder where did their names come from. I didn't like my name and always considered it boring until I realised it was Welsh for river. I actually wanted to be called Heather when I was young. I don't think a name represents a personality.

lizzypopbottle^I'm sure medical staff believe they're being friendly but calling someone by the wrong name is disrespectful^
My daughter accompanied me to a walk in centre on one of my visits to the UK because I was not at all well. When my turn came to see a doctor, I was called by my first name. I did feel peculiar hearing a stranger call me by my first name as in France I am Madame or Mrs ... She is an NHS worker and she sensed I had been shocked and told me that in future she was going to ask her patients how they would like to be called.

No.

Lizzy, I prefer to be called by my Christian name if in hospital, I think it sounds more friendly, less formal.
I was meant to be called May, as I was due in May, but was born on June 1st, so got June instead, thankfully, then my middle name is the female version of my father`s name, he was killed 6 months before I was born, in WW2.

How can your name reflect your personality it was your parents who chose your chose it not you

You are what you are

How can names have any bearing on you ...as they are given to you by someone else...and usually thought of before you are born

I used to teach too and avoided names I associated with some of the children.
My own first name is Judith. I used to hate it but I quite like it now. Can't recall what it means. Friends used to shorten it to Judy, which my mother said sounded like a dog's name, or Jude (cue the song)

Hellogirl1 One of our students is Anthony James and answers to James. It's annoying for people who don't know him well to search for James on the register and not find him.

My mother-in-law was Mary Lilian but was always known as Lilian. When she was in hospital, the whiteboard behind her bed had Mary as the name to be used. No one asked if she had a preferred name, so they addressed her as Mary until I corrected them. I believe they should have addressed her respectfully as Mrs Jones until she said to call her Lilian. It was the same with my father-in-law, 'Henry', who was always called Harry.

People like them, who served in WWII, worked all their lives, paid tax, NI and brought up families, deserve their respectful titles, Mr, Mrs and Miss. I'm sure medical staff believe they're being friendly but calling someone by the wrong name is disrespectful.

My first name is June, but I`ve always been called by my middle name. Whenever anything official or medical is concerned, I`m obviously June, but hardly ever answer to it when spoken to.

Not always but in my case and my cousins give our ages away.1940 to 1960. One does, unfortunately, rhyme with moan.
As a teacher, I would never have had a Shane or a Wayne and all the girls names that stop at a certain date no more Traceys or Sharons.

idamaryrose

Noooooo, not these comments about the name Dylan ... My new little grandson is called Dylan and I would hate for him to be pre-judged like this. True of any child ...

Totally agree. Prejudging someone on their name is very unfair and the bias begins before you have even met them.

There were so many Elizabeths in my year group at school (born 1952) that we all had to have an individual nickname. We were all different in personality and appearance. 1952 was the year of the Queen's accession so hardly surprising there were so many of us!

I am a Susan and can catergorically say I am not sensible and I'm with a Paul who is a complete headcase

Nannagarra.
I have a beautiful unusual name. I was headgirl at school and have had a very successful life. Don’t tar us all with the same brush!!!

I have a very unusual name. I haven’t heard of many others with the same name, although I’m sure there will be in Wales!
As a child I disliked it intensely. No one ever pronounced it correctly, but I love my unusual name now , and receive many compliments because of it.

reply - rely

nanna8

Yes, I do think the Susans I know might fit that description but I wouldn't reply on my views as a reliable source of information!
However, one of my favourite books as a youngster was Susan Interferes by Jane Shaw and that Susan was well-meaning but clumsy and chaotic.

Paul - I know a few and all with different personalities.


Barbaras tend to be a bit bossy (sorry to any lovely Barbaras on here but do know three or four who fit the description). They often come into their own, though, when all around are dithering! Perhaps decisive is a better word than bossy.

The Waynes, Darrens, Garys, Sharons, Tracys and Charmaines are the parents and grandparents of the Tylers, Kyles, Rileys, Jaydens, Jensons, Willows, Kayleighs, Kylies, Chelseas and Chardonnays
Actually they are not. The Tracys are teaching, the Sharons are managing banks, the Darrens are managing a team of engineers.
At least the ones I know (not my DC and not my choice of names but the sheer prejudice in your post is astonishing)
And none of their children have those names.
Riley is a delightful boy too

My mother called me Calamity Jane (not my real name)

My granddaughter is called Alice and has the same surname as Alice in The V of Dibley.
Thus far, she looks as though she's going to grow into a young lady who will get the joke.
Thank God! ...oops sorry, Vicar.

Ouch, I can't help my surname...I married it...

To a certain extent, I agree, but more that all the people I know with a certain first name have a specific personality trait that sums them up

Do some parents realise what embarrassment their offsprings name can be if not thought about sensibly when naming their child.
I refer to such as these in this poem I wrote of folks that I have met and worked with during my 91 years on this earth. There are many more that can be added to these.

NAME THIS CHILD

During all my years on earth I have heard many a peculiar name
Did parents think that this would help bring their offspring fame?
I have lived next door to a Dickie Bird and a Dusty Miller too
And I used to know an Ida Downe believe me this is true

There was an Ivor Lott a Will Power and a Robin Hood
Also Rusty Locke and Blackie Smith and a girl named Bebe Goode
I have worked with Eva Stone and Lydia Potts and an Eileen Back
All of them have had to live with such a great amount of flak.

There was another girl I worked with whose name was May Trump
You can well imagine how she felt and why she often had the hump.
One name imprinted on my mind from many years gone by
Was of a girl starting work and I swear that this is no lie,

Of all the names that I had heard this was the unkindest of all
When the boss asked her for her name she answered Ophelia Ball.
The look of horror on his face was a picture to behold
It left a vivid memory in my mind that I have often told.

So Mums and Dads pick a name to do your children proud
And when asked what it is they will shout it clear and loud.

Copyright © - Maisie Walker 2000 - All rights reserved

I'm Abby. I absolutely love my name... it's sassy and cheeky, yet friendly and reliable. I can't imagine being anything else!