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 most popular baby names in 2018 and what people secretly think of them:
1) Ava
- Sweet
- Free-spirited
- Independent
Famous Ava: Ava Gardner and Ava Allen
2) Oliver
- Artistic
- Charismatic,
- Clever/educated
- Confident
- Cheerful
- Polite, good natured
3) Amelia/ Emilia
- Strong
- Regal
- Chic
4) Harry
- Nice
- Posh
- Rule breaker
- Strong/tough
- Honourable
Famous Harrys: Prince Harry, Harry Potter, Harry Styles, Harry Kane
5) Isla
- Annoying/ Irritating
- Funny
- Petite
- Tom boy
Famous Islas: Isla Fisher and Isla Blair
6) George
- Safe/dependable
- Affable
- Charming
- Polite
- Dull
- Wholesome
7) Olivia
- Pretty
- Clever
- Classy
Famous Olivias: Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn and Olivia Colman
8) Jack
- Cheeky/naughty
- Badass
- Fun and cool
- Handsome
Famous Jacks: Jack Black, Jack Nicholson, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack Whitehall, Jack Johnson
9) Emily
- Creative
- Feminine
- Dainty/ delicate
Famous Emilys: Emily Ratajkowski and Emily Blunt
10) Noah
- Artistic
- Masculine
- Caring
- Serious
Famous Noahs: Noah and the ark, Noah Wyle
11) Isabella
- Strong
- Beautiful
- Elegant
Famous Isabellas: Isabella Rossellini and Isabella Ferrari
12) Jacob
- Geeky
- Ignorant
- Decisive
Famous Jacobs: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jake Bugg
13) Mia
- Cool
- Bohemian
- Friendly
Famous Mias: Mia Wasikowska and Mia Farrow
14) Mohamed
- Polite
- Determined
15) Poppy
- Immature
- Girly
- Intelligent
Famous Poppys: Poppy Delevingne and Poppy Lee Friar
16) Charlie
FriendlyGenerous
Laid back/relaxed
Famous Charlies: Prince Charles, Charlie Sheen, Charlie Chaplin, Charlie Brooker
17) Ella
- Funny
- Sociable
- Imaginative
Famous Ellas: Ella Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and Ella Eyre
18) Leo
- Strong and masculine
- Intelligent
- Handsome
Famous Leos: Leonardo DiCaprio and Leo Sayer
19) Lily
- Playful
- Energetic
- Mature
Famous Lilys: Lily Collins, Lily Aldridge and Lily Allen
20) Oscar
- Intelligent
- Grumpy
- Geeky
- Edgy
Famous Oscars: Oscar Wilde and Oscar de la Renta
Make sure you're following Mother & Baby on Instagram for relatable memes, inspiring stories and parenting hacks!
Have approx 60 seconds to spare? Why not join thousands of mums-to-be and start your very own Amazon baby wish list! They're absolutely free to create and perfect to send to the friends, aunties and your mum to make sure you're getting the baby products you really need... Click here!
For parenting tips, tricks and advice you can trust, click here to download a free digital issue of Mother and Baby magazine.
