I didn’t mind my unusual first name – until I found out it could cost me dearly | Torsten Bell

Research shows that those with easier to pronounce names are more successful in the workplace

Names matter. I’ve written a whole book about our country being called Great Britain at a time when things haven’t been going great. And being called Torsten causes all kinds of trauma – there was the distant relative who just gave up and called me Tristram.

But I’ve not worried that having a weird name might have economic impacts. Until now. Reading a few studies last week has made me less chillaxed, because it turns out ease of pronouncing your name matters. A 2012 Australian study found that having a harder to pronounce name was associated with being judged less positively by others. And within law firms, it reduced your chance of having a top position.

I didn’t mind my unusual first name – until I found out it could cost me dearly | Torsten Bell

Topics

Related

‘I’m a mother in turmoil’: My daughter refuses to see me — and she won’t let me see my grandchild. Should I cut her out of our will?

I used to think Googling my symptoms kept me healthy. My mother’s death showed me I had to quit | Elle Warren

A moment that changed me: I gave up my job – and found my self-esteem

The moment I knew: after their first meeting, my young son hugged him goodbye – and didn’t want to let go

‘It was my first pregnancy so I didn’t know what was normal’ – This is climate breakdown

A moment that changed me: I forgot about love – then found the man of my dreams

‘No man will touch me until I have my rights back’: why is the 4B movement going viral after Trump’s win?

More from The Guardian

US and Israel reject ICC warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest – Middle East live

Matt Gaetz withdraws his nomination to be Trump’s attorney general – live

Ukraine claims Russia fired intercontinental ballistic missile at Dnipro

First close-up image of a star outside Milky Way shows supergiant in ‘cocoon’

British lawyer is fifth person to die in suspected methanol poisoning in Laos