Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that a girl's name will determine what sort of person they will become and what career path they might follow.
After studying the names of 55,000 children, David Figlio, professor of economics discovered that the 'femininity' of the names given to daughters could decide what they choose to be in later life. Girls christened 'Isabella' or 'Anna', for example, are unlikely to study science because their 'more feminine' first names means they are not encouraged to do so.
"There are plenty of exceptions, but on average people treat Isabellas differently to Alexes," he said. "Girls with feminine names were often typecast."
The study also found that those with unusual names, or unusual spellings, did marginally worse in exams. One explanation for this is that teachers often review their lists of new students prior to meeting them and then consciously or subconsciously make judgements depending on the names.
Professor Figlio added, "In ways we are only beginning to understand, children with different names but the exact same upbringing grow up to have remarkably different life outcomes."
Isabella was rated the most feminine name, followed by Anna, Emma, Jessica, Samantha, Sarah, Olivia, Hannah, Emily, Lauren, Ashley,Grace, Abigail, and Alex.
May 2007
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