In a 2018 interview with New England Public Media, Michael B. Jordan, with a B, talked about how his name influenced his life.
He said that growing up, he was consistently teased by his friends for having the same name as basketball superstar, Michael Jordan.
But according to him, this caused him to become very competitive and hard working so that he could be greater than Air Jordan.
Michael B Jordan has on multiple ocassions credited his name as one of the core components in his hard work and success.
But is it true that names can truly influence not just how people view us, but how we view ourselves?
In this article, we will discuss 5 main topics;
- And God Said “Let There Be Names”
- How Names Affect Young People
- Power, Weakness, and First Impressions
- Before the Child Speaks
- Growing Into A World Of Names
And God Said “Let There Be Names”
Recently how many weird names have you seen? And by that I don’t mean Elon Musk’s child type of weird, I’m talking about names you’ve only ever seen once.
In the past few decades, we’ve seen a revolution against common names such as Mary, John, or Bob.
A century ago, in the year 1925, 38 % of boys and 21 % of girls received a top 10 most popular name, but in 2025, that number reached a low of 7.4 % of boys and 6.5 % of girls.
The truth behind this isn’t about simply wanting to be different for the sake of being different, it’s about being identifiable and having a compact underlying meaning behind our lives.
Names whether we realize or not grant us special conditions and set a bar of expectations for ourselves and the people around us.
You would expect someone named Grace to be nice, and that Leo would be a bold, competitive fighter.
Even before having a word leave our mouths, once a person has heard our name, then they will often already have a picture of expectation in their minds.
As we divert into a world of different names, they will get more and more important as an identifier, not just as a title given before birth but as a title we have to live up to.
In the case of Michael B Jordan, his name is clearly not unique, but in this scenario, its actually benefited him.
Because the name Michael Jordan is synonymous with exellence, hard work, and greatness, B. Jordan unconciously set a bar to reach that level of expectation.
Imagine a person named Michael Jordan who’s lazy, unconfident, and not fit.
That just sounds wrong, doesn’t it?
Before names shape individuals, they first reflect the ideas that were given to them.
That’s why “weird” names are popping up more and more as we progress, because people are starting to realize the importance in names.
And if a name can do that to a grown man, imagine what it does to a child who hasn’t learned who they are yet.
How Names Affect Young People
When I talk about having rare or unique names, I’m not saying they’re bad nor are they unusual, because I have a weird name myself.
Hi, I’m Zeus Damora Astono, nice to meet you.
Throughout my life I’ve encountered people who’ve called me the father of Kratos, Gamora from Guardians Of The Galaxy, and an astronaut.
But from a personal level, my name has affected my daily life, expectations, and goals tremendously.
From a young age I’ve always expected the upmost quality in everything I do.
And I’m sure the works behind that can all be seen by my name.
In Greek mythology, Zeus isn’t just the god of thunder, he’s also known as the king of all gods, and as the ruler of Mount Olympus.
Basically, he’s the top dog.
So with that in mind, I’ve always had a knack for being the leader or being a trendsetter.
Frequently throughout my life I’ve had issues with friends, family, and teachers because of me not obeying to rules.
In my subconcious supposedly I’m thinking “I’m the mighty Zeus! Who are you to tell me to eat my broccoli mere mortal!”
But this is not to say I’m an egotistical self worshipping brat (I’m not).
When you are born with the name Zeus, you basically have no choice but to start acting accordingly, almost like a prophecy that must be fulfilled.
Because of this name I’ve never felt good enough and worthy enough, and I’ve fought bouts of imposter syndrome.
Where names give us the power to become incredible people they can also set unreal expectations and hold us back the way a leash on a husky would.
Names can give ourselves a bar to pass, but before we even do anything they give people an image of who we are.
Power, Weakness, and First Impressions
People emphasize the importance of our first impression, how we talk, how our posture is, how we smile, and although that is important, it is actually our second impression.
The first impression comes from your name.
In my city, we have a school branded as a rich kid school, and I realize that most of the students’ names correspond with that status.
A pattern I noticed is the usage of the word Rich in the school.
Heinrich, Alrich, or even just Rich in general.
Their parents are in love with naming their children things that seem prosperous, succesful, or amazing.
And somehow, that stuff works.
Subconciously, when meeting those ‘Rich’ names, I broad out my shoulders and start fixing my hair and posture because I feel like I need to perform when they’re around.
Whether they actually are as wealthy as they seem, I’m not sure, all I know is that when I’m with them, I imagine penthouses, cars and also condos.
Names actually influence the way people treat and perceive us and human beings.
And we can test this out.
Quick, which of the two is a serial killer?
Mohammed Yunus or Robert Hansen?
If you picked Mohammed Yunus, you’re mistaken.
The serial killer is Robert Hansen.
This is surprising firstly because of the disgusting stereotypes when it come to Muslims and Asians and secondly because Robert just sounds like a solid man who has his whole life together.
This example proves that we perceive people differently based on their name, but it also shows that names don’t pave our destiny.
Powerful names aren’t as simple as having them and becoming them, that’s why hard work and dedication is needed.
Names just give us a nudge towards the right direction.
But what about an artistic kid named Cristiano Ronaldo? Or a basketball loving teen who’s name is Bob Ross?
Do names force kids into boxes they simply have to obey to?
Despite being a polarizing figure as of late, Mohammed Yunus has still helped people with loans, and is a Nobel Peace Prize winner
Before The Child Speaks
On one faithful Monday a mother has just given birth to her child.
A doctor comes up to them holding the newly born baby, both parents smile.
“Mr and Mrs Dover, what would you like to name your child?”
Innocently both parents squeal “Ben!”
The doctor looks back at them in shock, “So you do know his name would be Ben Dover right?”
Both parents smile even harder saying, “Is that so?”
Before we take our first steps, speak our first words, or think our first thought, our life is almost already planned out for us through our name.
Imagine working your ass off to reach your ultimate goal, getting into Harvard.
During admissions you face millions of other people who dream the same dream.
The administrator flies through hundreds of millions of admissions in a day, giving each a few seconds and a glance.
They pull your paper and read the name “Harry Balls? Skip.”
Sadly, sometimes names give us unfair advantages before we are born, and sometimes can limit us no matter how hard we may work.
No matter how successful or rich you may be, having an unfortunate or uncommon name makes people take a second look at your name.
I’ve had friends go “Wait, Zeus? As in ZEUS?” When introducing myself.
As much as this can be a benefit in our lives this can also be a curse.
Some people have gone and maximized their lives even with limitation, like Haary Balls.
Despite that names, he went on to become a mayor.
And so this limitation doesn’t guarantee failure, but it sure does lead you in that direction.
So when you have your children, or when a loved one is having one, please tell them to think their names through and make sure that they don’t end up like Mr and Mrs Dover.
Growing Into A World Of Names
Names can have a very big impact in our lives.
It can help us either stand out, or blend in. It can make us nicer, and it can make us more evil.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re better at something than most people with no reason, your name might be the cause.
But names aren’t a guarantee of success.
Just as everything is in life, the one thing we can control is the way react, and as for names nothing is different.
My name is Zeus, I am not a burly old man who hooks up with girls everyday, I’m just a single 14 year old with no muscles.
But this name has given me power and strength through situation after situation in my life.
It gives me a sense of, “Okay Zeus, you can get through this, you’re strong, powerful, you will get past this obstacle.”
No matter how popular or unknown your name is, I’m sure there must be meaning behind it.
So go out there! search up your name online, find out what it means and how it has motivated you throughout the years!
Always remember, we aren’t a reflection of our names, but names are a reflection of us. You can choose if you want your name to be bad or beautiful no matter what it is.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
William Shakespheare
