How much does a parent's socio-economic status affect what they they name their babies?

What are some good names for a baby from a higher socio-economic level and what names should be avoided?





Example, the welfare types in my hometown are naming their kids "Nevaeh" which is "heaven" backwards.

How much does a parent's socio-economic status affect what they they name their babies?
This question is covered at some length in the book "Freakonomics," I believe. I think the tendency is for people of lower socioeconomic status to opt for less established unique names (yes, like Nevaeh), whereas those who are from a higher socioeconomic level go for more established unique names (like Philippa or Emmeline, maybe). Names that are popular, like Isabella, Emily, Ava, and Olivia can't really be associated with any particular socioeconomic level. This is all generally speaking, of course.





If you want a name that suggests that you are from a higher socioeconomic status, my suggestion would be to stick with a name that is underused but well-established.





Examples:





Helena


Adele / Adeline


Pearl


Philippa


Imogen


Alice


Charlotte


Daphne


Beatrice


Cecily


Cordelia


Caroline


Henrietta


Genevieve





Edmund


Hugh


Jasper


Graham


Percival


Basil


August


Crispin


Oliver


Felix


Emmett


Henry


Elliot
Reply:People of a higher socio-economic background would give their child a name steeped in history or a family name. Example: Christopher, Edward, William, Charlotte, Catherine.





People on welfare name their second child whatever combination of letters their first child threw up after eating alphabet soup from a can. Example: Jayden, Skylar, Paige, Chase. They also have a habit of adding lyn to anything to make it a girl's name.





The middle class would generally give their children a first and middle name from the top ten list. Example: Isabella, Ava, Madison, Ethan, Jacob.
Reply:I think that, generally, people from a higher social status give their kids the unconventional names. Think about Gwyneth Paltrow, the big movie star, named her daughter Apple.


If you Google 'Hollywood baby names', there is a lengthy list of some of the most unexpected names that the stars gave to their children. I think being at a higher status does have something to do with having the bravery to name their kids such unusual things, because they're 'cool' anyway.





I don't think that people are going to say, "Oh, his name is Nevaeh? You must be low class.."





From these examples alone, it might show that people from a higher class center their kid's names on material things, while people from the welfare community name their kids 'Nevaeh' or 'Raphael', like the archangel.





Hope this helps!
Reply:Just because you (general 'you) come from a higher income background, it does not mean that you have class or common sense. And just because you are on welfare, it does not mean that you don't have class or common sense. Some of the recent births of certain celebrities show that some are lacking the capability of picking a decent name for their children. In fact it seems that the more money you have, the more ridiculous the name. And, it is probably because their kids don't have to work or prove anything like us regular folks. I believe people, of all social economic backgrounds, should pick names that are not based on their social fantasies and creativity, but based on names that will give their child a solid heads up in life.
Reply:There's a chapter in a book called Freakonomics dedicated to the economics of baby naming. It's a cyclical thing. Folks of lower S.E.S tend to follow the trends rather than set them, which is why the names that were once so popular in wealthier pockets (Ashley, Britney, etc.) tend to trickle down to poorer communities after a few years.
Reply:I understand your point - and there has actually been done research on this matter - that a certain type of name is more common in different social classes.





Wealthy societies (on an international level) tend to go for more well-established and old names, that never dies in popularity. Say for example;





Hannah (biblical)


Johanna


Matilda


Anna


Victoria


Martina


Helene/Helena


Elise


Elisabet


Kristina





etc.





Wilhelm


Erik


Victor


Tobias


Nicolas


Charles


James
Reply:sh323 - Aiden is not a "poor" name. My friend has a book about that and Aiden is in the children with affluent parents list (from what i remember.) I seriously can't remember the name or I would send you the link.
Reply:"Welfare types??". Wow, how bigoted can we be?





Regardless, avoid something that is either too popular or too trendy. I suggest you be a bit more socially sensitive however when asking such questions.
Reply:Looks like somebody has a superiority complex. 'Welfare types' shesh!, what is it with you 'yuppie types'.
Reply:welfare types??





hows the view from that pedestal??





IMO... richer people are choosing some unique names, especially celebrities... so i dont think your socio-economic status matters...






Reply:I believe so.








Nevaeh: Ghetto


Richard: Suburbs
Reply:Richman, Richina, on the welfare side how about Social and Security ?
Reply:There is a trend, whether people like that or not.



Reply:All I can say is 'wow'; you totally left me speechless.

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