Effects of Baby Names on Children

Parents sometimes think they can alter a child's destiny by giving him or her the perfect name. If that's true, then it can also work the opposite way, right? Giving the someone the wrong name can give him or her an imperfect destiny. Wrong. There's no definitive evidence that a name affects a child's level of popularity, mental health or achievement. It may have an indirect effect, since parents who give their child an unusual name are probably people who are individualists themselves. Their unconventional home will influence their child more than his name. Parents who prefer traditional names be more inclined to follow convention, and their kids will be shaped more by this inclination than by being named John or Sarah.

In general, a name is an insignificant factor in a child's development, but there are exceptions. When children are given names with strong associations - and they don't share those associations - they might have a tough time. A skinny boy named Rocky, a Yo-Yo Ma with no musical talent or a Harmony with a short temper may have difficulty living up to the expectations implied by their names and are likely to be teased. And since its impossible to tell a baby's personality or potential flaws in the first few hours after he's born, it may be safest to stick with a classic name.

By Town & Country Baby Names: The Guide to Selecting the Perfect Name for Your Child