Names Influence Who You Are?

A lot of people scour the web and baby books to find suitable and meaningful names for their newborns.  Does it really make a difference whether your child's name means beautiful, honest, wise, and so on and so forth?  Do names actually play a part to determine or rather influence who you are?  Your personality, the way you view the world?  Or is it a matter of nature vs nurture?

Personally, I have no idea.  But from observation, I have noticed some similar traits in people with the same names (which unfortunately examples elude me at the moment).

Many many years ago (when I was in secondary school), I was acquainted to a website introducing the Kabalarian Philosphy which studies first names since 1930 and for a fee, provides you with an analysis report of your name based on the research they've done.  I am not endorsing the accuracy of this website or this method or philosophy but it's always fun to explore.

So here's what they say about my first name:

• You have a great love of nature and the out-of-doors.
   
• All the finer things of life and beauties of nature are an inspiration to you and you are attracted to the mysteries of nature.
   
• Difficulty in expression results in your being too positive, blunt, and candid in speech and although you are easily offended by others, you do not show it.
   
• You crave affection and understanding, but rarely find it as others do not understand you and accuse you of being cool and aloof.
   
• The average person would never realize the true depth of your nature.
• Although first name creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others.
   
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the lungs, heart, bronchial area, and tension or accidents to the head.

There is also a free standard name report service that provides evaluation of your first name, last name, the combination of both names and birth date analysis (purpose of life and inner potential).  But for that you will have to fill up another form and they will email the results to you.  I personally have never tried this service despite it being labelled as "free".  With all the marketing gimmicks implemented on the internet these days, even free means "it's free if..." and you start getting spam in your inboxes (no bueno).

Personally, I see some truth in their brief analysis of my first name above.  But I wouldn't be too sucked into the whole concept though.  It's interesting that there even is a study of names since a lot of names were given because they sounded nice/beautiful, from an ancestor, trendy, religious... and the reasons go on.  More often than not, the decision to name a child isn't scientific.

Have you tried the website to check your name?  How close were they to your personality?

For those who know me in person, how true do you find the above description to be of me?