Unique Baby Names May Cause Narcissism Epidemic
American parents are giving their children increasingly unique and unusual names, while the most common names are no longer as popular or widespread as they once were, according to a study of baby-name trends out of San Diego State University.
Researchers caution that, while this trend indicates the increasing value parents are putting on uniqueness, it could lead to narcissistic behavior that will isolate children from the crowd their parents hope they will stand out from.
For the study, researchers analyzed the names given to more than 325 million babies born in the US between 1880 and 2007. They found that - while Jacob is the top boy’s name for 2008 and Emma is the top moniker for girls - these familiar names and others are being given to a smaller percentage of newborns overall.
Researchers found that in 1955, nearly one-third (32%) of boys received one of the ten most popular names, but by 2007, less than 10% got a common name.
For girls, the percentage receiving common names is even lower. In 1955, about one in four (22%) girls received one of the ten most popular names. By 2007 it had dropped to only 8%.
In 1955 the average first-grade class of 30 children would have at least one boy named James, which was the most popular name for boys born in 1949, the analysis found. In 2013, six classes will be necessary to find only one Jacob, even though that was the most common boy’s name in 2007.
For both male and female names, the decrease in the use of common names was most dramatic during the 1990s. As late as 1990, half of boys received one of the 50 most common names, but by 2007 less than one-third did. The number of girls receiving one of the 50 most common names fell from 37% to 22% from 1990 to 2007.
According to study co-author W. Keith Campbell, this change happened at the same time that Americans seem to have embraced more individualistic traits such as assertiveness and self-esteem on psychological questionnaires.
“Unique names may have some benefits such as creating a more individual identity, but they run the risk of promoting separateness, which is linked to narcissism,” said Campbell, psychology professor at the University of Georgia and co-author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.
“These days, you don’t have to be the child of a celebrity to get a name as unique as Shiloh, Suri or Apple,” said Jean Twenge, SDSU psychology professor and co-author.
Twenge links the shift toward unique names to the increasing value of uniqueness in today’s society. “Parents used to give their children common names so they would fit in and their names would be easy to pronounce and spell. Now, they give their child a unique name so their kid will stand out and be a star.”
About the research: The study used the Social Security Administration database of social security card holders as a basis for the name analysis.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Another fairly obvious cause is the dramatic multi-culturalization of the US population since 1955. If over 80% of your population is from Europe and most of them embrace an Anglo-Saxon trqadition when they get here, of course you’re going to have more kids named James and Linda. When over 30% of your population is of African, Carribean, or Hispanic or Asian origin, you’re going to get a lot more kids named Jamal, Jesus and Rosario.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
5. This is definitely an interesting conclusion that perceived uniqueness in one’s name will result in narcissism. I recently saw another research finding that boys with unique names are more likely to be criminals because they get picked on from a young age because of their “weird” names.
I would imagine that the true impact of a rash of presumably unique names may not be directly seen. To begin with – if most people have unique names, then having a unique name is not a distinguishing factor anymore. So whether this aspect which is not so differentiating anymore can lead to narcissism is questionable.
Then layer on top of that the ethnic and cultural identities and the impact they have on personalities – for instance do you feel more disconnected because your name is Zuma Nesta or do you feel that way because your parents are rockers, alien worshippers, insanely rich, or a different skin color from other kids in your class? There is also the tendency for most kids, girls especially, to hate their names and wish they were called something else. That definitely helps counter narcissistic tendencies to some extent I would imagine.
I also wonder about the motivation for unique names mentioned here – that parents give them to ensure their kids will stand out. I hypothesize that this to a great degree is parents’ reflection of themselves rather than what they believe their kid will do with it. As comedian C.K. Louis said – “it’s amazing, you can name them ANYTHING!!!” It is strangely empowering and I would think that parents also give them unique name because that is a reflection of their ability to think differently from other parent peers. C.K.Louis then goes on to say it doesn’t matter what you name them, other kids will figure out a way to make fun of them (again countering any delusions of grandeur that child may have). He goes on to give an X-rated version of what kids will do even with common names like Eric.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
How about names that just make the parents look riduculous and get the child ridiculed? Typical mind-numbing idiocy from self-help “experts”. It is the choices we make and how we live our lives that define us, not the name we go by.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
Puuhhlease… as Marti suggested, this study is very slanted towards anglo-saxon persons. Just about every African American I know has a unique name and I think it’s great, and none are narcissistic! I can’t believe San Diego State spent time and money on this study…
June 4th, 2009 at 7:34 am
viz. Daniel’s comment “Just about every African American I know has a unique name” Talk about racial stereotyping. While African-Americans often have more imagination and creativity naming their children, many of them have more traditional names too.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I have a very unusual first name, while my (much older) siblings all have very normal names. I hated it, and not only did other kids tease me, my teachers often did, too - how many times would a new teacher ask me on the first day of class, “So, are you patient?” or make a joke about “being a virtue”, etc. Sigh.
On the other hand, in the long term it’s been helpful to not be confused with other people, and people comment on my name positively. I decided long ago to give my own children an unusual first name, and a very usual middle name that they can use when they are young and want to fit in. Some of my friends and I used this tactic:
What nonsense to claim that unique names will automatically cause narcissistic behavior. John is correct; it’s not the name that’s an issue, it’s how we are taught to live our lives. Blueberry Smith might have an oddball name, but he (or she) won’t have problems unless Mom and Dad also tell little Blueberry that he’s an “Indigo Child” and somehow doesn’t have to abide by basic societal expectations, like being courteous, and kind to old people and pets.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:33 am
This is the U.S. and we are fabulous. Just roll with it. Also, keep in mind there was a time when Emma & Jacob were unusual too…
June 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I would like to point-out to the first person, that the prevalence of a name in any ethnic culture usually bilies its origin. Take the name Linda (as he notes), it is actually Spanish.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Roger, my experiences, maybe not yours, hence the “I know” portion.
August 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I named my daughter Shitanya which caused her problems. She got me to re-name her Sue.
September 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I have a Jacob, and it’s almost too popular today. Soccer, school, social there are at least 3 a year with name confusion. I think a unique name, in these unique times, would stand out. Face it, we all want what we don’t have.