Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-12
CHARACTER IN NAMES
NATURE OF MEN SHOWN BY
WHAT WE CALL THEM.
Arthurs Are Weak, Johns Are Strong,
Williams Priggish and Walters
Unpopular.
From the London Mail.

From TIE London Mail
The name by which a person is generally
caIled-usually his Christian name-is an
irnportant factor in deciding his character.
and may modify his physique. Some names
seem to have more effect than others. but
very few are quite without influence If
you are told the name by which man Is
Familiarity called-though you have never
seen him and know no more than the name
you may begin to form an opinion of him.
For instance no Arthur in the habit of
Icing called Arthur. can expect to be
strong man From King Arthur to the
present day Arthurs have very rarely been
strong They are frequently amiable and
cultured they may attain to high positions,
and they need not be absurdly weak. But
they are not what would be described as
strong men. George Eliot knew that. l
will give Il few names and the character
istics which are generally associated with
them The reader can test for himself how
far the Characterization is correct.
Descriptive Names.
David and Andrew. for example. make
shrewd lawyers or clever doctors; they are
cautious and moderate. Peter is likely to
be somewhat eccentric and quaint: he has
humor. Paul IS artistic in some direction
or other and as rule rather good-looking.
Samuel may attain 10 ulSllUCllOl, tSpeCldi-
ly in commerce. but Sam Is rather coarse.
and Sammy mostly goes to the bad Ste
phen is generally a weak-kneed failure.
Reuben is vulgar but unpretentious.
Much also must depend on whether the
actual name or some version of 1t Is used
For instance William. if he is always
called William, is good man, but a prlg'
if he is called Willy he is weak: if he is
called Bill he Is good fellow, but rather
animal than spiritual
You can always depend on James to take
care of himself but you cannot say so
much for Jim. The most virile names are
John, George. Thomas and Robert George
IS inclined to luxury and sef-indulgence;
John is more domestic; Jack has more
spirit than John; Thomas and Robert are
good business names. Robert has a tenn
per, and so has Bob; but Bobby is good ma
ture itself. Richard is a poseur; Dick is
natural in manner and has physical cour-
age. Joseph in any walk of life is
schemer sometimes with good motives and
sometimes with bad; sometimes with sue
cess and sometimes without 1t, but always
a schemer.
The Trouble About Ernest.
Henry and Edward are both rather color
less names. Henry may be anything from
a criminal to a cabinet minister but If he
is never called Harry he will tend to dull
ness and solidity. Walter is rarely popular,
and is frequently inclined to sharp practice.
Frank is popular enough, but wants energy
and determination. Charles has amiable
qualities. and spends money freely in his
youth in his later years he is likely to be
frigid and parsimonious. Ernest is quiet.
well meaning and almost always mistaken.
Before leaving the masculine names there
are a few others, mostly less common. that
may be mentioned. Wherever the Christian
name name in general use, Is also a
surname-such as Graham, Trevor, Scott
the man has very marked ability in one
particular direction, but is extremely likely
to be charlatan.
Reginalds and Harolds belong to the very
nearly class They get very near to sue
cess in almost any kind of work. More
things have been missed-only just missed
by Reginalds and Harolds than by any six
Of the other names. Where Reginald or
Harold is popularity supposed to have sue
ceeded II will nearly always be found that
he has not realized his ambition. Reginald
and Harold are rarely we'll suited to a COM
mercial career. They a little selfish.
but never actively cruel. Archibald Is neat
and precise. Names ending In I'D" are in
clined to be unlucky.
EustaCe is intensely interested in himself
but may be rather brilliant All Lionels
are-or have been-extravagant Horace is
a selfish prig Bernard is serious and has
strong convictions. Oliver has push, and
gets on in the world. Cecil Is self-satisfed
and opinonated. Hugh is conceited and
talks too much. Augustus is slightly ride
ulous. Godfrey is the best of fellows. but
will never make money You will be al
most certain to find romantic episodes In
the life of any Ronald or any Rupert.