Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_04_22/GA_2204_E1_018.pdf 

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18

Galway Advertiser

April 22 2004

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
Would we be living in a different Ireland today if the Taoiseach's parents had called him the name he was christened rather than the shorter more user friendly Bertie? It's hard to think of the country's leader as a Bartholomew as indeed he is listed on his birth certificate. A little mite with Fianna Fail leanings bestowed with an 11 letter name could only be destined for greatness. But somewhere along the way the name Bartholomew was discarded, Bertie chosen over Bartley as consensus man was born and bred. His allegiance to the shorter version of his first name is absolute, no about turns for this leader who has stuck steadfastly to a name made famous by a liquorice allsort and the husband of the late queen mother. But what if had chosen Bartholomew? Would the 5'11 3/4" Drumcondra man with the bad back have made the same political strides? Or would he have followed a different star, embracing the opposition with manic enthusiasm, choosing rugby over soccer, gin over pints and thinking Dev was no more than a Coronation Street shopkeeper? Experts say our names are one of the most important factors in our emotional development and can even affect our health. Our name distinguishes us from others. It is the first gift parents give their children and lasts a lifetime.

O'CONNOR
over the years as our self confidence changes. Consider how the children of Patch Adams, the zany American doctor - the inspiration for the film of the same name - feel, they are called Zig and Zag! * People named Melvin, Nigel or Julian are more likely to grow into quiet, bookish types while boys called Rory or Chuck fight and play football * One study revealed that people with curious first names are four times more likely to be psychotic. * Unusual names can produce a negative image with people rating them as less desirable. Researchers asked students to associate characteristics with certain names. The owners of the stranger versions were judged as less successful, popular, moral, warm and cheerful than those with conventional names

Blame your name
Naming names
* Research indicates your name can even affect your health. British physician Dr Trevor Weston claimed that those with surnames ranging from S to Z are three times more prone to heart disease and die 12 years before others. * Three doctors at Chicago's Loyola University maintained that names that were likely to attract ridicule put children on the defensive and forced them to fight for it. They said names such as Precious invited ridicule while Howard was snobbish. Unisex names, such as Kim, Karl, Robin, Toni and Gary and Gene, were also a curse, they believed. They frowned upon shortening first names, too. Shortening William to Bill or Will is all right but males called Billy or Willie feel robbed of their dignity, the medics maintain. * The most attractive girls' names, according to international studies, are Susan, Michelle, Dawn, Melanie, Heather and Jennifer. Those voted the frumpiest were Alma, Ethel, Florence and Virginia. * A study undertaken by Georgia University revealed teachers consistently gave lower marks to Elmers and Huberts than they did to Michaels and Davids * Girls with popular or attractive names are reckoned to lose out when it comes to jobs. Experts say they might make it as models but not in business
The late Paula Yates with her exotically named daughter Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily.

Self identity
The meaning of a name is important to people and feeds into their self identity, including how they would like to see themselves, explains Norman Warden, a local psychotherapist. He says how people view their name is more important than how others see it.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has stuck steadfastly to a name made famous by a liquorice allsort. future when your child will no "A person's name sets them longer be a baby and when the apart from another. How they name you've lumbered him feel about their name affects with could well be a millstone how they define their identity round his neck, he cautions. and how they continue to view "Some names are certainly themselves. If I view my name easier to tease a child about in a negative way, this parallels than others. Unusual names how I view myself." can be a curse and a joy When choosing a name for a depending on how the person baby, parents project their own feels about themselves in views of a name onto it as well general but also the as their experiences of people circumstances in which they with such names and their live. People have been named ambitions, hopes and wishes after flowers, saints, doctors, for their child, he says. midwives, parents, etc. A "The impression and what a nickname can be used in a name conveys to others is derogatory or a considered important to complimentary way by parents. Many parents providing a sense of belonging consider others' potential and identity in a group. reaction when choosing a "Odd names in celebrity name. Some research has circles can feel normal while indicated that names do the same christian and influence people's reaction to surname as can make a person the person. Some names being stand out. This may be an seen as more desirable or advantage in some careers, attractive by others with this such as acting, etc." reaction even affecting Whether people focus on the employment opportunities." negative or positive aspect of He advises parents to be their name largely depends on careful when picking a name their self image. Our attitude because their child has to live towards our name can differ with it, not them. Think to the

Peoples names set them apart from others, says Norman Warden a psychotherapist.

simply beautiful

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