Naming: How Labels Shape Our World
How names influence our perceptions.
What’s in a name?
A lot, actually. Names aren’t just random labels we slap on things. They shape how we see the world and interact with it.
From the moment we’re born, our names become part of who we are. And the names we give to people, places, and things impact how we perceive them.
Start with personal names. Parents agonize over what to name their kids. Studies show that a person’s name affects how others view them and influences their success in life.
Resumes with “white-sounding” names like Emily receive 50% more callbacks than resumes with names like Lakisha. This bias has consequences for career opportunities.
A study in Germany found that teachers gave lower grades to students with names like Kevin or Chantal, associated with lower socioeconomic status.
Having a distinctive name gives an edge in some situations. People with uncommon names are more likely to pursue unique career paths. Maybe standing out from the crowd from an early age encourages nonconformity.
