A few weeks ago I asked for opinions on "likeable" names -- friendly, approachable names that make you want to like someone. 93 comments later, it seems like a good time to tally the responses and see if we can map out an anatomy of friendliness.
I counted nominees from blog posters, added in my original poll, and subtracted negative votes.
Here's the final list of 21 broadly likeable names:
GIRLS
Sarah
Katie
Laura (now that sounds likeable, smart, and good-looking!)
Molly
Amy
Emily
Annie
Ellie
Sadie
BOYS
Charlie
Ben
Steve
Andy
Jack
Jake
Sam
Adam
Evan
Tim
Tom
Will
The common threads on this list seem to validate the idea that there is such a thing as a "likeable name." Granted, many readers noted that personal experience with a name can overrule its intrinsic qualities. One creepy ex-boyfriend named Tom can ruin Tom for you forever. But on neutral ground, most of us do respond to a predictable set of niceness triggers.
Nicknames clearly have a leg up. 15 of the 21 on the list are traditional nicknames, though some (Molly, Jack) have evolved into given names. The girls' nicknames all end in an -ee sound, while single-syllable nicknames rule for boys -- Tom and Sam rate over Tommy and Sammy. The few male nicknames on the list that end in -ee are those without single-syllable variants. That might explain Charlie's status as the #1 most likeable boy's name; it has the friendly sound of a diminutive without being cutesy.
Beyond nicknames, short is in. Only Charlie is over 5 letters, only Emily over 2 syllables. I also see hints of an Old-Testament trend: In addition to the Adams, Sarahs and Bens on the list, a bevy of Noahs, Leahs, and Seths just missed the cutoff.
What of popularity? My usual graphs have to be taken with a grain of salt when we're talking about nicknames. A graph of Annie doesn't tell you how many Anns, Annas and Annettes go by that name, and a graph of William doesn't distinguish between Will and Bill. Nonetheless, I can tell you that the names on the likeable list are generally common, but not overwhelmingly so. Most of all, the likeable names are timeless. As a group they span generations, with a dip in the '40s and '50s. Individually almost all of them reliably make the top 1000 decade after decade.
So there's your reciple for friendly likeability. Think of it like picnic food: relaxed, easy, traditional and familiar. That lemonade, those sandwiches would have looked just as natural in a wicker picnic basket in your grandparents' time as they do in your cooler today. And just thinking of them, don't you feel the sun shining?
Comments
I'm an Elizabeth who was always a Beth. I really liked growing up with the name. It's common enough that everyone is familiar with it, but at the same time I've only run into about four others in my life. It's also simple but not cutesy and there's an awsome Kiss song. :) I also like having the "formal" name too, if for no other reason if the person on the other end of the phone asks for "Elizabeth" I know it's either a telemarketer or the IRS.
As for Trey, just to throw it out there, I went to High School with a kid called "Third." Granted, his first name was Horace III, so he was going to have a hard time no matter what, but Third really fit him for some reason. Not everyone can pull this off, but if your kid has a strong enough personality it really can work.
I could never name my kid Rory or Beth because of the pronunciation. I don't have a speech impediment, but I have soft Rs and THs and I just don't like how they sound coming from my mouth. One of my best friends is named Rebecka, but her mother can't pronounce the letter R, so it comes out as "Webecka". Why do that to yourself? I guess it's a small sacrifice if you like how everyone else says the name, but I'd like to be able to call my kid the name I intended for them.
Christiana, I think Chip comes from the phrase 'chip off the old block' in relation to naming after a dad, grandad, etc.
A person called MnK said why choose ellie. Being one I am outraged that you tell people who like the name ellie to make it elenor or elizabeth. Ellie is a lovely name and I dont think that you should be saying things about it.
MnK also said it was to popular.Doesn't that show you that people like it and it is a nice name. I dont think you should be allowed to say things like you said on a page where people looking for names should come.
to Gina my surname is clifford. clifford the big red dog is what i am sometimes called but being called that has made me stronger. As long as clifford gets some good friends he'll be fine
I have actually been complemented about the name clifford I would n't worry
T o Beth I have a friend called Ruari(pronouced rury)
what do you have to say about that
I personally like the name helen heleana
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NAME NOLAN?
nolan is quite different isnt it
question for you, what can I call my best friends son who will be named Joshua James, he will be a junior. Neither one of us want to call him Josh/Joshy (cuz his dad is called that) and my son is already a knicknamed Junior. She says she's leaning towards J.J. as a nn but I am shying away from it because of negative connotations with that name. Any suggestions? Or any wheres I can find other forms of saying Jr with out saying Jr?
you know these are some white peoples names you are some fucking jercks
wt about jess what do people think of tht name....
2 commentsI lov the nme jess it reminds me of my m8 who is a little mean but cuddly at the same time
tachica shoudnt be tlkin like that she ought 2 wash out her mouth
I'm Laura & my Son is Charlie so I'm happy! x
ah ur lucky laura
what do people think of the name LORNA
love the name lorna i know a lovely girl named that
Most likeable names to me are Samantha, Lindsay, Amanda & Molly -- even though I don't personally know anyone with these names.
Regarding the other names mentioned above:
Sloan - sounds rugged & cool.
Nolan - sounds like man of few words, bookish maybe.
Lorna - I associate this name with a strict woman at my elementary school, but a little girl could give the name a whole new meaning.
And here are my not-so-white choices for most likeable:
Keisha, Bria, Cassandra, DeAngelo, Jamal & Giovanni.
It look like there might be a correlation between the friendliest names and the most popular names. You should do a statistical comparison between the friendliness and the Top 100 names list...I bet the wizard can do it :)
You should do a comparison between likability and Top 100 names list to see if there is a correlation.
Gina - re Clifford, I wouldn't worry about it. My brother is Clifford and he was never teased about it. I have come to the conclusion that if kids want to tease another kid, they'll do it whether his name is Joe or Shishkebab. And kids with unusual names often get left alone. It just depends on the kid, and on the kids he/she comes into contact with. You could shorten Clifford to Cliff and he might still get teased. You could call him Ben and he might still get teased. What I'm trying to say is, you can't guarantee he won't get teased no matter what you call him, so just go with the name you want to call him. Trust me - I know a Farin and an Iliarne who don't get teased, and a Ben who does. Go figure.
Quote: Harry is rightly a familiar version of Henry, although Hal is also used
Wow - I never knew that Hal can be a nickname for Henry! The only Hal's I know are acually Harold on their birth certificate.
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