If you are in a process of naming your baby, then picking the right name might be challenging, because names create very strong associations and can literally influence your whole life.
If you sometimes think that your friends with similar names have something in common in terms of characters, that might also be partially true.
Let's find out, why.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Some researchers argue that a person's name can create subtle expectations or stereotypes, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if someone is given a name associated with intelligence, others may have higher expectations of their intellectual abilities, leading the individual to strive for academic excellence and potentially shaping their personality traits in that domain.
Social Perception and Labeling
Names can influence the perceptions and judgments of others. People might form initial impressions based on a person's name and use those impressions to interpret behavior, which may indirectly affect how an individual interacts with others.
Cultural and Personal Associations
Names can carry cultural and personal associations that may influence an individual's sense of identity and self-perception. For example, if someone has a name associated with a particular cultural or religious background, it may contribute to their cultural identity and influence aspects of their personality that align with that identity.