The Sexes: The Name Game

It all depends on vibrations

First names make a difference. Try joining a street gang if your name is Chauncey or a law firm if your parents named you Fifi.

In fact, says Christopher Andersen in his new book The Name Game, every first name sends forth "psychological vibrations" that affect our lives. Summarizing four studies that sampled public reaction to first names, Andersen, who writes for PEOPLE magazine, lists "894 Names and What They Really Mean." The results will displease people named Martha —which psychologically vibrates to mean "unexciting"—Patricia (plain), Mark...

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