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Uh oh! The unfair stereotypes around 2018’s most popular baby names

by Aimee Jakes |
Updated on

Choosing a baby name can lead to a massive amount of pressure. Is it popular enough? Too popular? Does it roll off the tongue and does your partner like it? Does it go with their surname and heaven forbid it's not on the list of monikers mums are now AVOIDING due to their new, accidental meanings in 2018?

To throw another spanner in the works, it turns out that a bunch of well-loved names come with slightly unfair stereotypes.

According to a study by My Nametags, James is thought to be the most charismatic and confident, and women named Gemma assumed to be bad-tempered and unkind.

Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Scientist, Linda Blair, explains why these stereotypes exist: “One of the ways we deal with information overload, a real problem in today’s world, is to create mental ‘shortcuts’ and relying on name stereotypes is one of them. However, these stereotypes are usually based on only a few high-profile individuals at a particular point in time and, even less realistically, often on fictional characters in books and films. As a result, they rarely hold up in everyday encounters. Add this to the fact that each of us displays different, often contradictory qualities'

Check out the mostpopular baby names in 2018 and what people secretly think of them:

Gallery

The stereotypes around this year's most popular baby names

ava1 of 20

1) Ava

  • Sweet

  • Free-spirited

  • Independent

Famous Ava: Ava Gardner and Ava Allen

oliver2 of 20

2) Oliver

  • Artistic
  • Charismatic,
  • Clever/educated
  • Confident
  • Cheerful
  • Polite, good natured

Famous Olivers: Oliver Cromwell, Oliver Twist, Oliver Wood from the Harry Potter series, Olly Murs, Oliver Reed

amelia3 of 20

3) Amelia/ Emilia

  • Strong
  • Regal
  • Chic

Famous Amelias/ Emilia: Amelia Earhart, Emilia Clarke and Emilia Fox

harry4 of 20

4) Harry

  • Nice

  • Posh

  • Rule breaker

  • Strong/tough

  • Honourable

Famous Harrys: Prince Harry, Harry Potter, Harry Styles, Harry Kane

isla5 of 20

5) Isla

  • Annoying/ Irritating

  • Funny

  • Petite

  • Tom boy

Famous Islas: Isla Fisher and Isla Blair

george6 of 20

6) George

  • Safe/dependable
  • Affable
  • Charming
  • Polite
  • Dull
  • Wholesome

Famous Georges: Prince George, George Michael, George Ezra

olivia7 of 20

7) Olivia

  • Pretty

  • Clever

  • Classy

Famous Olivias: Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn and Olivia Colman

jack8 of 20

8) Jack

  • Cheeky/naughty

  • Badass

  • Fun and cool

  • Handsome

Famous Jacks: Jack Black, Jack Nicholson, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack Whitehall, Jack Johnson

emily9 of 20

9) Emily

  • Creative

  • Feminine

  • Dainty/ delicate

Famous Emilys: Emily Ratajkowski and Emily Blunt

noah10 of 20

10) Noah

  • Artistic

  • Masculine

  • Caring

  • Serious

Famous Noahs: Noah and the ark, Noah Wyle

isabella11 of 20

11) Isabella

  • Strong

  • Beautiful

  • Elegant

Famous Isabellas: Isabella Rossellini and Isabella Ferrari

jacob12 of 20

12) Jacob

  • Geeky

  • Ignorant

  • Decisive

Famous Jacobs: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jake Bugg

mia13 of 20

13) Mia

  • Cool

  • Bohemian

  • Friendly

Famous Mias: Mia Wasikowska and Mia Farrow

mohamed14 of 20

14) Mohamed

  • Polite
  • Determined

Famous Mohameds: Mohamed Al-Fayed and Mohamed Farah

Poppy15 of 20

15) Poppy

  • Immature

  • Girly

  • Intelligent

Famous Poppys: Poppy Delevingne and Poppy Lee Friar

Charlie16 of 20

16) Charlie

Friendly
Generous
Laid back/relaxed

Famous Charlies: Prince Charles, Charlie Sheen, Charlie Chaplin, Charlie Brooker

Ella17 of 20

17) Ella

  • Funny

  • Sociable

  • Imaginative

Famous Ellas: Ella Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and Ella Eyre

Leo18 of 20

18) Leo

  • Strong and masculine

  • Intelligent

  • Handsome

Famous Leos: Leonardo DiCaprio and Leo Sayer

Lily19 of 20

19) Lily

  • Playful

  • Energetic

  • Mature

Famous Lilys: Lily Collins, Lily Aldridge and Lily Allen

Oscar20 of 20

20) Oscar

  • Intelligent

  • Grumpy

  • Geeky

  • Edgy

Famous Oscars: Oscar Wilde and Oscar de la Renta

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