Unusual First Names: A Positive Outlook

Abstract

After discussing some problems with the tendency to generalize from the literature on the psychological effects of unusual first names, this article summarizes a series of studies that have been performed. In contrast to much of the research literature, which tends to warn against giving such names to one's child, these studies suggest a more positive view. The results provide evidence that having an unusual name may have no observable negative effects, and, in some contexts and in some ways, may have positive effects.