The happiest names in Britain revealed

THE happiest people in Britain are called Judy or Joshua while the most miserable are likely to be Lynn or Ben.

JOLLY Judy is a very happy name JOLLY: Judy is a very happy name

That’s the view of psychologist Dr David Holmes, who believes people’s personalities can change to fit the name they are given.

Women called Stephanie, Linda, Pam and Pat are among the most cheery, as are men named Matthew, Jason, Terry and Barry.

The unhappiest women tend to be Charlotte, Tina, Amy or Tara. And the glummest males are likely to go by the names of Andrew, Edward, Tim or Owen.

Dr Holmes, of Manchester Metro- politan University, said Christian names are similar to brand names in that people associate certain characteristics with them.

Paulines, for example, are generally thought of as miserable because of EastEnders character Pauline Fowler, played by the late Wendy Richard.

The name Judy has the opposite effect because it is associated with actress Judi Dench and TV presenter Judy Finnegan, pictured left, who are seen as good-natured.

According to Dr Holmes, the association which others make rubs off on the person with the name and their personality becomes shaped to fit their name and the assumptions of others.

“We know from our research that names can influence student marks so it follows that they also affect how we treat those so named,” he said.

“The associations we have with certain names, particularly significant namesakes, also shape how we see ourselves and so may have an effect on our confidence and assumed role in society.

“Names have a powerful effect on attitudes and should therefore be ­chosen with care.”

This is why celebrities often change their names, to encourage fans to view them in a certain way.

Parents are also often affected by the associations of certain names when choosing what to call their children. Names associated with unremarkable famous people are therefore rarely chosen.

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