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A Boy Named Sue Is a Boy Named Sue Is ...

That which we call an Apple by any other name might be a wimp

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2008 2:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Having an unusual name might not ruin your life, science blogger John Marion Tierney writes in the New York Times. Some new studies show that having an embarrassing name has less of an impact on future success than previously thought—and might even be helpful, because dealing with the needling can toughen you up. Tierney calls it the "Boy Named Sue paradigm."

“Names only have a significant influence when that is the only thing you know about the person,” says a psychologist. The authors of a new book called simply Bad Baby Names interview a host of people with truly awful monikers: Candy Stohr, Cash Guy, Mary Christmas, River Jordan, and Rasp Berry. “They were very proud of their names, almost overly proud,” says one of the authors.

In this 1969 file photo, country singer Johnny Cash is photographed at an unknown location. Johnny Cash is an awesome name for a dude; Sue is not. (AP Photo, file)
In this 1969 file photo, country singer Johnny Cash is photographed at an unknown location. Johnny Cash is an awesome name for a dude; Sue is not. (AP Photo, file)   (Associated Press)
Dweezil Zappa.
Dweezil Zappa.   (grandmasterflash (YouTube))
Gwyneth Paltrow and daughter Apple, who might grow up to have more character than your average Joe.
Gwyneth Paltrow and daughter Apple, who might grow up to have more character than your average Joe.   (Getty Images)
Leslie Nielsen. Leslie is a girl's name.
Leslie Nielsen. Leslie is a girl's name.   (Getty Images)
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Some more fun examples from the book
Hartford Courant (Conn.)

 
parenting • Johnny Cash • Gwyneth Paltrow • name • Candy Stohr • Cash Guy • Mary Christmas • River Jordan • Rasp Berry • Apple Martin • baby name

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