Does name have an impact on success?

Question

Does a person's name have an impact on future success?

Answer 1

I'm thinking it must, otherwise many celebrities would use their real names rather than stage names (same with authors)

Examples to get you started - see link for more
2pac tupac shakur
50 cent curtis jackson
abigail van buren pauline ester friedman
ace frehley paul frehley
Adam Ant Stuart Leslie Goddard
afroman joseph foreman
agatha christie agatha marie clarissa miller
ahmad rashad bobby moore
akon aliaune thiam
al green al greene
al jolson asa yoelson
al pacino alfredo james pacino
albert brooks albert lawrence einstein
alec guinness alec guinness de cuffe
alex trebek giorgi suka-alex trebek
ali macgraw alice macgraw
alice cooper vincent damon furnier
alicia keys alicia augello cook
ally sheedy alexandra elizabeth sheedy
anastacia anastacia lyn newkirk
andie macdowell rosalie anderson-macdowell qualley
andre 3000 andre benjamin
andre the giant Andr Ren Roussimoff

Answer 2

Not much - especially where this was posted in corporations - as long as it does not turn people off. When starting it helps if the name connects with the product. Most pop bands and singers have stupid names that would make no sense if encountered away from the context of music and in many cases confuse as to whether it applies to a group or a person. Most corporations tend to short, easy to pronounce names that don't mean much and are safe if used internationally although this can go to far also - do you know what Oncor or Atmos do?
Actors change names because of prejudice in the past against "Jewish" names and because there is an Equity rule that an actor can not use a name that has already been used - which means that some people can't use their own born names. There is no enforcing body for authors but it is often convenient to avoid references back to the actual name of the author who may be employed at a place where writing is not encouraged.

Answer 3

It may have some impact for Hollywood where perception is all there is.

But for the rest of us our attitude and work ethic determine our future success. I hope yours are going the right direction!

Best wishes
Craig

Answer 4

Yes I am a strong believer in this concept. Especially since I started paying attention to names of companies failed and those who are always getting into trouble v. those who succeed. It sounds way out there to even say it though.