Americans Like Their Names:
Uniqueness and Simplicity Found As Key Qualities

10 May 2013

Trends & Prospective

New York, NY - The vast majority of American adults (87%) say that they at least 'like' their first name, including a third (31%) say they 'love' it, according to What did you call me?, a new online survey of over 1,000 adults ages 18+ conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of BOHAN/whymomsrule.com. Only a small minority of Americans (13%) say they 'don't like' their name, including 3% who say they 'hate it'.

Reasons Why Americans Like Their Name

The top reason Americans give for liking their name is it's unique, different or uncommon (23%). Other reasons include it has family significance (12%) or it's simple so easy to remember or pronounce (10%).

Reasons Why Some Americans Don't Like Their Name

The top reasons Americans give for not liking their name are that it is difficult to spell or pronounce (16%) and common or boring (16%).

Age Differences

18-34 year olds are more likely to love their name than over 34 year olds (37% vs. 29%).
Older Americans (55 year olds and over) are more likely to describe their name as traditional (37% vs. 25% for 18 to 34 year olds); having family significance (30% vs. 14%); and inspired by someone their parents admire or admired (28% vs. 18%).
Younger Americans (18-34 years) are more likely to say their name suits them (56% vs. 42% for 55 year olds and over) and describe their name as unique or unusual (19% vs. 13%).

Gender Differences

Women (84%) are less likely to like their names than men (90%).
Men are more likely to describe their name as easy to spell (46% vs. 36% for women); traditional (36% vs. 26%); common/widespread (29% vs. 21%); as having family significance (28% vs. 18%); often abbreviated (24% vs. 19%); and as having cultural or religious significance (17% vs. 9%).
Women are more likely to describe their name as unique/unusual (19% vs. 11% for men); old-fashioned (15% vs. 9%); and long (8% vs. 3%).

Socio-Economic Differences

Americans with a household income of $50K or more are more likely to say that their name is easy to say (56% vs. 46% for those in a household with an income of under $50k); suits them (50% vs. 44%); traditional (33% vs. 27%) and has family significance (25% vs. 20%). They are less likely to say that their name is unusual or unique (14% vs. 18%).
Americans with a college education are more likely to say that their name is short (23% vs. 17% for those without a college education); unique or unusual (19% vs. 14%); and they use a different name than the one they were given at birth (7% vs. 4%).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted March 7 - 11, 2013. For the survey, a national sample of 1,018 adults aged 18 and older from Ipsos' U.S. online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of 1,005 and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20 of what the results would have been had the entire adult population of adults aged 18 and older in the United States had been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Timothy Amsbary Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs 202.420.2036 [email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In the U.S., UK and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, and the Hispanic polling partner of Telemundo Communications Group, a division of NBC Universal providing Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world.

Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

To learn more visit: www.ipsos-na.com

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.