LONDON — When it comes to stocks and bonds, not all baby names are created equal. A quirky new piece of research has listed the top baby names for the future financial advisor of the family. The study concludes the most financially successful name for a boy is Andrew, while Anna came in at number one for girls.
For the research, the investment platform eToro analyzed its 12 million user database and highlighted the first names that performed the best and worst investment-wise over the past year.
Don’t like the name Andrew for your son? Sam, Alex, Christopher, and Darren rounded out the top five best boy names for investment returns. For girls, Anna was followed by the names Maria, Laura, Helen, and Sarah.
What about names to avoid? The research also picked out the worst names for investment success. Moms and dads, be sure to steer clear of these boy names: Ali, Rob, Dan, Chris, and Dominic.
Similarly, the worst baby names for girl investors are Karen, Claire, Lisa, Jennifer, and Rachel.
According to the United Kingdom’s Office of National Statistics, Oliver and Olivia were the most popular baby names over in the U.K. during 2019. That being said, though, it appears that the Olivias of the world have a financial leg up on the Olivers. The name Oliver was listed in the top 10 names for eToro investment returns way back in 2015, but hasn’t appeared since. Olivia, on the other hand, was the top earning name last year.
“William Shakespeare once wrote ‘what’s in a name?’ Quite a lot, it seems, if you want your children to grow up to be financially savvy and secure. A name is not just something you use to distinguish yourself from others, it also affects the way others see you,” comments Iqbal V. Gandham, managing director of eToro UK, in a statement. “There has been a raft of research done over the years showing a very strong link between what you call your child and their future success. So, it could quite literally pay dividends so take your time when choosing.”
eToro’s research goes as far back as 2012, and they say the names Matt and Graham appeared in the list of top earning boys’ names multiple years.
These findings are just the latest in a string of recent research projects that have concluded one’s name can have a big impact on their future. In 2012, researchers from the University of Melbourne, the University of Leuven and NYU concluded that people with easy to pronounce names are promoted more often and usually hold senior job positions. Another study in 2008 conducted by Marquette University found that people with more traditional names are more likely to be hired than those with outlandish names.
“The data reveals a very definite link between certain types of names and success investing in the stock market. Other studies have shown that the way people react to you can vary depending on what your name is,” Graham adds. “It could well be that people perceive those with certain names as being good with money and others not so good – just as research shows that people with certain names are more likable or hirable.”
“Therefore, if people constantly perceive you as being rational and calm – two key traits often found in good investors – then it may well affect your behavior eventually. Of course, everybody is different, and it is dangerous to make sweeping generalizations, but it is worth giving some serious thought as to what you call your child. They may well thank you for it in the future,” he concludes.