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11th April 2023
11:50am BST
A new nationwide study has revealed that 28 percent of men strongly dislike their first name, wishing they’d been called something else entirely.
Topping the list of most desired names were Jack, Max, Joe and George while men also voted for Adam, Brad, Samuel and Johnny as titles they prefer, and wish they had been given as a baby.
More than four in ten (44 percent) use a nickname instead of their own name, while six percent go by something completely different from what is on their birth certificate.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) admit they avoid using their name entirely, while just over one in ten (11 percent) make a point of telling everyone to call them something different.
Three percent have gone one step further and officially changed their name by deed poll.
It’s old fashioned (35 percent), it doesn’t suit me (28 percent), it’s too common (19 percent) and it’s no longer cool (14 percent) are the main reasons Brits hate their name.
The study was launched to mark the rebrand of Jurys Inn Hotels to Leonardo Hotels.
It found that 11 percent were teased at school about what they were called, while nine percent say their name is too hard to pronounce.
One in twenty (seven percent) were named after a distant relative who they never met, while four percent were named after their parent's favourite pop star, back in the day.
Said Jason Carruthers, Managing Director of Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, said: “It’s surprising to see that so many Brits prefer to be called by a completely different name as they feel like their given one doesn’t suit them. We have in fact just been through the process and while we are sad to say goodbye to the Jurys Inn name, we are excited to join the wider 193 Leonardo Hotels portfolio.”
Nearly a third (30 percent) have confronted their parents over their name, with more than one in ten (six percent) having fallen out with their parents over it.
The study also found almost one in five (18 percent) use a different first name for their social media accounts, with 13 percent introducing themselves with a brand-new name.
Just under one in ten (eight percent) are jealous of their friends who have better names.
Over a quarter (26 percent) had arguments with their partner about what to name their children, with more than half (59 percent) agree that naming a child is one of the most stressful decisions in life.
Nearly a half (42 percent) think that celebrities give their children silly names, while a further 40 percent say it is important to consider all the possible nicknames and the initials (37 percent) when naming a child.
Over a third (35 percent) believe that a name is important for first impressions and that a distinctive one can help you stand out from the crowd (28 percent) and shape who you are.
Jack
Max
Joe
George
Clint
Adam
Brad
Samuel
Johnny
Blake
Maverick
Leo
Archie
Lucas
Ronan
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