Have you ever wondered why unusual baby names seem to trend throughout the years? Have you considered that there might be a scientific basis behind it? It turns out that there may be a correlation between external factors and popular baby names. Cultural events have a significant impact on what parents name their children, and those events may include the possibility of an economic recession.
With parents going into debt to afford groceries and serious issues with childcare costs throughout America, are we in another period of baby names being chosen due to economic decline?
What Do Baby Names Signal?
To make their baby stand out, it has been found that parents often choose unique names for their children to convey individualism. In fact, according to a recent study, an economic recession can lead parents to choose uncommon names for their babies, allowing them to stand out. This may not always be the case, though, as sometimes parents tend to name their babies more common names in solidarity with their community.
Culture and other aspects of society influence everything around us, including what parents-to-be choose to name their child. There are prevailing theories that a recession prompts parents to choose more common names for their children, but ultimately, economic hardship drives a shift towards individualism.
Individualism Model Of Naming Children
The Individualism Model theory examines the naming practices of children as a means to increase individualism during a period of communal crisis. Pushing parents to name their child something that may seem “extreme” during a recession can lead to more common baby names being chosen both during and after the recession has ended.
According to a psychology study, the Individualism Model of naming practices was more prevalent during the Great Recession and led to the decline of more common baby names. This was true for both boys’ and girls’ names. The need for a cultural shift towards the individual, rather than the community, led to a rise in unique baby names during and immediately after the Great Recession.
The same study also suggests that different cultural levels, including economic factors, are threatening parents who name their children with less common names. The need for one’s child to stand out highlights the Individualism Model.
Baby Names Beyond Economic Hardship
Besides economic hardship, unique baby names can also convey several different meanings. Baby names can convey political affiliations, with the spectrum leaning towards more masculine or feminine names. Also, the left side of the spectrum tends to choose more uncommon names, just like parents during an economic recession.
Along with politics, baby names can also correlate with consumption by different types of consumers. Baby names can also correlate to jobs that parents hold and later, a job the child might have.
One thing about baby names is that they all signify something beyond just the naming of a child. Specifically, an economic recession highlights the need for individualism among parents raising children, prompting them to consider unique names for their unborn child. By rejecting the community mindset and seeking ways for their child to stand out during tough times, parents’ naming practices are significantly influenced by culture.