The 9th of April is National Name Yourself Day, a day to commemorate reinvention by experimenting with a new moniker. According to studies, there is a correlation between a person’s name and their personality. This phenomenon is referred to by social scientists as the Dorian Gray effect, which is named after Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and refers to internal factors that can shape individuals. In the novel, Dorian Gray remains sprightly and handsome, but his portrait becomes increasingly repulsive. Personality, self-perception, and social outlook can influence an individual outside of the story, though probably not as drastically as Dorian’s condition.
The background of National Name Yourself Day
A name is chosen with great attention, and cultures express their appreciation in various ways. Certain Native American communities held naming ceremonies as a rite of passage, basing names on nature, animals, weather, and plants. Names were frequently chosen based on the baby’s physical characteristics, such as gender and birth position. This person’s identity changed as they grew older and experienced new events. New names would be chosen to commemorate achievements, frequently with personal or sacred connotations.
The names of Puritan infants were based on idealistic concepts. Puritan names such as Steadfast-on-high, Obedience, Prudence, and Temperance were common in the seventeenth century, and they frequently had religious connotations. This was done in the expectation that children would adopt the meaning of their names and become upstanding, contributing members of society. Some Puritan names were practically complete sentences, punctuated with hyphens to make the meaning of a hopeful existence as plain as possible.
By the middle of the 20th century, the rise of movie stars prompted American society to ruminate on the content of the films they viewed. Babies were given names such as Ava, Audrey, Bette, Cary, Charlie, and Clark after renowned actors and actresses. Less emphasis was placed on ideals and more on the allure of the celebrity, indicating a transition towards a mind-set driven by pop culture.
Today, identities are revered in a manner comparable to the past. People are still named after celebrities and renowned on-screen characters, but many choose names that are more naturalistic or original. As the world modernises and gains a greater understanding of the concept of the self, identity is also viewed as an evolution, making National Name Yourself Day a tradition from which we can all learn something.
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NATIONAL NAME YOURSELF DAY: 5 FACTS
Heaven spelt reversed, “Neveah” is one of the rarest names.
According to studies, females with androgynous names perform better in maths and science.
Peer judgement increases the likelihood that boys with traditionally feminine names will develop behavioural issues and rebel against authority.
Eleanor, Peter, Simon, and Anna are names associated with a high probability of attending elite universities.
According to a German study, individuals with traditionally unattractive names are more likely to become smokers.
NATIONAL NAME YOURSELF DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 9 | Sunday |
2024 | April 9 | Tuesday |
2025 | April 9 | Wednesday |
2026 | April 9 | Thursday |
2027 | April 9 | Friday |