Do people make assumptions of character based solely on names?

[Northernlights25]

I feel like I might. For example if I hear of a girl named Tyler, the gender neutral form of the name makes me subconciously expect a tomboy. A laid back girl with more male than female friends, may regularly wear hoodies or oversized shirts. Or if a man is named Edward or James I make assumptions on the more sophisticated, maybe snobbish side. What do you think? Do you make any assumptions of my name; Alexander?

[WonderBell99]

I try not to make assumptions based on people’s names, but i fail, usually. I keep an open mind. For example, whenever I hear the name William or Edward, I think of a suave English man.

Whenever I think of the name Nick, I think of a stoner or an entitled jock. When I think of of Alexander, however, I think of someone who is reserved, weird by conventional means, knowledgeable, and a bit too formidable.

I would not like to reveal my first name, but it means “white”. My mum said I was pale when I was an infant and hence the name. My middle name is Tatiana and I’m not sure what people assume when they hear it. 😂

I usually get reserved and stuck up before they get to know me.. but after, it’s usually fiery, charming and intelligent.

[Northernlights25]

In truth your expectations of my name might be quite astute haha. I do agree in Nick, spot on!

[purplepoppy]

Absolutely. It's a well known fact having the wrong name can seen your job application binned before It's even read. Even teachers admit they put a mark next to some names of new pupils they predict will be troublesome.

[handsomelad70]

Particularly if the name sounds "black' or trailer trash white Southern.

[WindAtMyBack]

I think I make character assumptions on their parents more than on them. Names rotate in popularity. I thought some of the trends were kind of weird.

Although I admit there are some names that I have to forcibly make myself not judge the person.

I have an online friend who is really into names. I know when she learned my name it made a difference. I remember her linking me to a bunch of name sites - both first and last names.

[Northernlights25]

Yeah some names are too weird not to react to.

[WindAtMyBack]

I think REALLY weird names are actually illegal in some places.

I'm not really talking about weird names though. Some names just have strong associations.

[ChrisMaster69]

Nope not at all.

names are simply names.

you grow up poor and they have a lot of names posh people have.

i know an Alexander who is a drug addict, one who is a CaD engineer with a family, another is a celebrity and another a land owner.

[Cozybcuz]

Short answer yes. Long answer everyone suffers from what is refered to as implicit bias, that is people unconsciously treat people differently depending on their identity. So if a name leads you to a assume that a person is of a certain group then it stands to reaso that there would also be some assumption of character. Note that implicit bias is complex and wide topic with loads of psychological work behind it, so my explanation of it probably did it a disservice.

[NathanDavis]

I don't do that no... but now I am wondering, what would you assume of a Nathan, or a Jonathan... or Santiago, they're all biblical names

[Northernlights25]

Nathan sounds like an intrinsic boy name, the kid in the neighborhood with a skateboard. I find it hard to envision a grown Nathan for some reason, Nate though. As for Jonathan; very youth-preacher-y to me. Santiago makes me assume Latin American.

[NathanDavis]

yes, Santiago was a name that Spain gave and left all over Latin America, all the way from Chile up to Mexico, you see it everywhere

[handsomelad70]

There's an adult NathanDavisGaGger.

[NathanDavis]

I got big boy pants now...

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I’ve not noticed that.

It’s usually the person who gives the meaning to a name for me.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

For your name Alexander, that’s a name I always liked and thought of giving to my future child. Other than that I don’t think much of it.

[Northernlights25]

I love my name too. For my own children if I ever have a son I have thought about James. It balances sophistication and masculinity to me as a name.

[Anonymous]

Alexander for some reason makes me think of the weird random kid in the South Park episode “Red Man’s Greed”, so I think of you as weird, cheerful, in agreement, and a person with a weird voice.

[Northernlights25]

Crap, haven't seen southpark so can't relate lol

[Opinion Owner]

Haha

[faithgrace4u]

When I hear your name I think peace full but also nicknames mean a lot so do you have any

[Northernlights25]

I have been called Lex at times.

[Dargil]

Not so much last names as first names.
Darnell, Deshawn and Marquis are red flags as all those pseudo African names like Quan Quan. Girls' names beginning with "La" are red flags, too.
Then there's Mohammed.

[itsalyssaagain]

Names never really bothered me when I’ve met someone lol. I’m more focussed on how the person carries themselves and how they interact with me.

[Clowr]

Nah. Don't think so. Rarely do people notice your name at first. at least what I've experienced. Did introduce my self earlier as bugs bunny. Only one did ask if I could repeat that during our handshake.

[itsalyssaagain]

Yeah exactly

[Clowr]

Ah. Wrong place to post it. But yeah. Do agree with your statement as you see xD Was supposed to TS ^^

[OddBeMe]

Your subconscious is making 10x the assumptions based on your past experiences. Her perfume could subconsciously remind you of your mother. Not sure if thats good or bad.

[genericname85]

yeah people do make assumptions based on names. and they mostly aren't wrong with those assumtions.

[HopefulGuy94]

Lol could I get your assumptions when you hear the name of Cemal Tamaz , just tell me please :)

[Northernlights25]

I get the impression it's a Turkish man, not much beyond that!

[HopefulGuy94]

Azerbaijani yeap , what about my other name?

[Jamie05rhs]

When I think of an Alex, I generally think of someone who is smart and independent.

[handsomelad70]

What sort of character would folk believe a Brady to have?

[whereismyjohnny]

I don’t make assumptions based on someone’s name.

[Guy__]

I bet you are not trying to but when you hear the name of your friend you think of him? It's not something we always choose.

[Rebecka33]

I would hope not usually they go by color.

[Northernlights25]

Color?

[Rebecka33]

Ya guys usually assume things about a girl based on her coloring.

[Guy__]

I'm not going by color but do by names

[Rebecka33]

@Guy__ ok

[rossbutler]

I do not care of the names