The Baby Name Personality Survey

This is a very useful book for understanding how people perceive names. While it's interesting to know that the original, etymological meaning of "Herb" is "glorious soldier" but it's even more useful to know that, when surveyed, the name "Herb" makes people think of "a fat bald man with glasses who is a classic wimp or oan over-educated, dull pushover". In addition to listing survey results by order of name, the book also lists personality traits alphabetically with lists of names that were percieved to have those traits.

I picked this book up many years ago and have had a lot of fun reading the consensus on the image conjured up with each name. In most cases I find my opinion close if not exactly in line with the associations collected from the survey. Now I am pregnant with my first and would love to consult an updated version of this book to help me in the selection process for the "perfect" name. Alas, I have discovered no updates.

Fiction writers: have you ever created a secondary character -- personality, appearance, attitude -- but got stuck when trying to decide on a name? If so, the Baby Name Personality Survey will be indespensible. Unlike other Baby Name books, this one lists what the general public thinks of when hearing a specific name. Face it, we all have preconceived notions of people with certain names; for example, how do you picture a Bubba? or a Percy? Based on surveys, this book will tell you what the average person thinks upon hearing a given name. In many cases, it also mentions the probable reason. For example, how many people picture "Andy" as a good-natured country boy -- a la Andy Griffith? Or "Scarlett" as an independent, somewhat fiery young woman, like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind? The Baby Name Personality Survey also gives food for thought for new and expectant parents. With thorough research and a wealth of material, this book is a great selection if you need to know what image people have of specific names.