Whats In a Name? Plenty! Survey shows when it comes to names, people take theirs very seriously

Its one decision we dont have power over but usually have to live with for the rest of our lives; our name. According to a survey by Bruce Lansky, author of the No. 1 baby name books in the country, about 25 percent of people surveyed disliked their name, 33 percent would like to change it and 17 percent use a name other than their birth name.

Its one decision we dont have power over but usually have to live with for the rest of our lives; our name. According to a survey by Bruce Lansky, author of the No. 1 baby name books in the country, about 25 percent of people surveyed disliked their name, 33 percent would like to change it and 17 percent use a name other than their birth name.

There are many things parents must take into consideration when naming their child," said Lansky, who recently released his eighth baby name book, The Mother of All Baby Name Books (Meadowbrook Press). Its important that parents choose a name their child can live with."

The survey also found that 42 percent of people felt their name influenced their life and 33 percent felt other people had an unfavorable impression of their name. Lansky believes names have a significant influence on a persons personality and development, and that its important to give a child a name that will help him or her succeed, rather than one a child has to work to overcome.
Many think girls named Victoria are stately, rich and conservative. Or that the moniker Rachel" conjures an image of a blonde, well-coiffed 'Friend also known as Mrs. Brad Pitt, said Lansky. Parents should consider the associations a name has and determine if it will have a positive or negative effect on their childs life."

Some other interesting aspects of the survey were:

·   Half of the people surveyed used a nickname.
·   71 percent of respondents stated their name was often misspelled.
·   About 36 percent of participants said people tend to mispronounce their name.
·   72 percent of people surveyed knew the meaning and origin of their name.
·   33 percent of respondents felt their name was unusual.
Along with providing more than 94,000 baby names with origins, meanings and variations, The Mother of All Baby Name Books offers information on the aspects survey respondents found important so parents can make intelligent naming decisions. The book offers 15 considerations parents should contemplate before naming their child and also provides baby-naming worksheets that help parents gather appealing names before making their final decision.
The Mother of All Baby Name Books retails for $15.00 and is available at bookstores nationwide. The book may also be purchased online at www.meadowbrookpress.com.

Founded in 1975, Meadowbrook Press is one of the leading publishers of parenting and childcare books in North America. The company is the number one publisher of baby name books in the country, with eight books totaling over seven million copies sold. Meadowbrook Press also has growing lines of humorous poetry, fiction anthologies, gift, activity, party and humor books. For more information, visit www.meadowbrookpress.com.

EDITORS NOTE: For a review copy of The Mother of All Baby Name Books or to interview Bruce Lansky, call contact.

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