Sex-role expectations of socially desirable first names

This study was an attempt to investigate the relationship between child-naming practices and the perpetuation of traditional sex-role expectations of masculine and feminine behaviors. It was hypothesized that desirable male and female first names would be rated as more sex-typed the more frequently they occurred in the culture. No relationship on a cross-sex-typed effect was predicted for undesirable first names. Psychology undergraduates (N=149) nominated desirable and undesirable male and female first names. The frequency of nomination was correlated with ratings of masculinity or femininity of the names, and the results supported the hypotheses. A significant correlation was found between frequency and degree of stereotypy of first names rated as desirable, but no effect was found for undesirable first names. These results were discussed in terms of role-conflict theory. Secondary issues raised were the use of androgynous first names and the effects of first names on affirmative action procedures.