The Power of Names: Influence on Perception and Success

QUESTION

Who Wins in the Name Game? By Cody Delistraty (The Atlantic, July 30, 2014) 1 I was at a party for Bastille Day in Paris a few years back, and we were leaning over the balcony to watch the fireworks. A cute French girl sat next to me, but after a few flirty glances the moment was entirely ruined with the most basic of interactions: "What’s your name?" she asked in French. "Cody," I said. 12 That was it. We were done. "Co-zee?" she said, sounding out the entirely foreign name, looking more disgruntled with each try. "Col-bee?" "Cot-ee?" 13 I tried a quick correction, but I probably should’ve just lied, said my name was Thomas or Pierre like I did whenever I ordered take-away or made restaurant reservations. Not being able to pronounce a name spells a death sentence for relationships. That’s because the ability to pronounce someone’s name is directly related to how close you feel to that person. Our brains tend to believe that if something is difficult to understand, it must also be high-risk. 14 In fact, companies with names that are simple and easy to pronounce see significantly higher investments than more complexly named stocks, especially just after their initial public offerings when information on the stock’s fundamentals are most scarce. People with easier to pronounce names are also judged more positively and tend to be hired and promoted more often than their more obscurely named peers. 15 There are more variables at play than just pronunciation, though. In competitive fields that have classically been dominated by men, such as law and engineering, women with sexually ambiguous names tend to be more successful. This effect is known as the Portia Hypothesis (named for the heroine of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice who disguises herself as a lawyer’s apprentice and takes on the name Balthazar to save the titular merchant, Antonio). A study found that female lawyers with more masculine names-such as Barney, Dale, Leslie, Jan, and Rudell-tend to have better chances of winning judgeships than their more effeminately named female peers. All else being equal, changing a candidate’s name from Sue to Cameron tripled a candidate’s likelihood of becoming a judge; a change from Sue to Bruce quintupled it. 16 Names work hard: They can affect who gets into elite schools, what jobs we apply for, and who gets hired. Our names can even influence what cities we live in, who we befriend, and what products we buy since we’re attracted to things and places that share similarities to our names. 17 A name is, after all, perhaps the most important identifier of a person. Most decisions are made in about three to four seconds of meeting someone, and this "thin-slicing" is surprisingly accurate. Something as packed full of clues as a name tends to lead to all sorts of assumptions and expectations about a person, often before any face-to-face interaction has taken place. A first name can imply race, age, socioeconomic status, and sometimes religion, so it’s an easy-or lazy-way to judge someone’s background, character, and intelligence. 18 These judgments can start as early as primary school. Teachers tend to hold lower expectations for students with typically black-sounding names while they set high expectations

ANSWER

The Power of Names: Influence on Perception and Success

In the article “Who Wins in the Name Game?” by Cody Delistraty, the author explores the profound impact of names on various aspects of human interaction, from initial impressions to success in different fields. The narrative starts with a personal anecdote about a failed interaction due to the mispronunciation of the author’s name, highlighting how even simple interactions can be influenced by the ability to pronounce a name correctly. Delistraty then delves into the broader implications of name pronunciation, asserting that people tend to associate difficulty with understanding a name with higher risk, influencing perceptions of individuals.

The article presents a compelling argument that the ease of pronunciation plays a pivotal role not only in personal interactions but also in the business realm. Companies with names that are simple and easy to pronounce tend to attract higher investments, particularly after initial public offerings when information is limited. The premise extends to individuals, as those with easily pronounceable names are perceived more positively, leading to increased opportunities for hiring and promotions. This concept underscores the idea that names hold significant sway over professional trajectories.

Moreover, the article introduces the Portia Hypothesis, which examines the impact of sexually ambiguous names in competitive fields. Drawing from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” the hypothesis posits that women with more masculine names tend to achieve more success in male-dominated professions like law and engineering. Research indicates that female lawyers with names perceived as more masculine have better chances of securing judgeships. The article underscores the effect by showcasing instances where changing a candidate’s name from traditionally feminine to masculine significantly enhanced their likelihood of advancement.

Delistraty’s exploration of names also delves into the realm of education, relationships, and consumer behavior. Names shape decisions in mere seconds of meeting someone, resulting in assumptions about background, character, and intelligence. These judgments are often made based on stereotypes associated with certain names. The article reveals that these assumptions can even influence the academic expectations teachers hold for students based on their names, which can ultimately affect a child’s educational journey.

In conclusion, “Who Wins in the Name Game?” effectively highlights the pervasive impact of names on various aspects of life. From personal interactions to professional success, education, and consumer behavior, names play a profound role in shaping perceptions and opportunities. The article underscores the importance of considering the power of names and encourages a broader understanding of their implications for individuals and society.