I really should be in bed right now. But after talking to other new grads in my area that are also jobless I just wanted to get some opinions. Do you feel that people's names may prevent them from getting them a job as a nurse? I know we've all heard, silly names before and I'm just wondering would say, "Ms Poppy Sunflower" be offered a job? Or would a recruiter look at the name and be like, "heck no, trash bin"!
I'm just curious and this is not a slam to anyone who has a name that is different. Shoot my name is completly, better yet, extremly hard to prononue. But even though my name may be hard to pronouce its not silly or childish sounding. I'm wondering would Bambie buttercup find it easy to find employment.
I know this seems like a weird topic (blame it on sleep deprevation). But after talking to some friends about issues that they believe might be preventing them from getting jobs. I just started thinking about how names can effect landing a job as a nurse. My friend was saying her obviously ethnic name might be keeping her from employment because it might be preceived as ghetto. I usually roll my eyes whenever anyone starts swinging the golden race card(you know that card that has the innate ability to seem to be the cause of whatever the user wishes it to be. No matter even if the said offender is of the same race).
But it got me thinking do we really view people by their names. I used silly examples here but is say Jennifer Rose seen as more dependble or gentle towards patients? Would Poppy sunflower be viewed for a job as maybe childish and unreliable. Would Cu'nae Alize' be percieved as ghetto and unprofessional?
Sorry for the long post. But I am curious to what others have experienced relating to this topic or stories they may have heard. I guess I should have not read the silly children's names post tonight either. :)
I definetly believe ones name can have a bearing on how far they get in life professionally. I took that into consideration when naming my children.
It seems to be based on region. Up north its not a problem as much as it is the south. I find most people are ignorant. I have muslim sounding first name and you won't believe the things said to me while I'm standing right there. Its even gotten worse since the New York mosque issue.
Most. Americans seem to me that they can't think outside of their own little world. For instance,and I hope to not inflame anyone,but a lot of black people are Muslim and thus have Muslim names,but for some reason most will assume they are made up when in fact they are not.
Then again,I wonder how Bho got to be president with his name.
It seems to be based on region. Up north its not a problem as much as it is the south. I find most people are ignorant. I have muslim sounding first name and you won't believe the things said to me while I'm standing right there. Its even gotten worse since the New York mosque issue.
Most. Americans seem to me that they can't think outside of their own little world. For instance,and I hope to not inflame anyone,but a lot of black people are Muslim and thus have Muslim names,but for some reason most will assume they are made up when in fact they are not.
Then again,I wonder how Bho got to be president with his name.
Complaining about stereotyping while stereotyping.
A wise woman once told me "Stand at your front door and yell out the potential names at least three times. If you can tolerate the name on the third yell, it's probably okay, because that's what you're going to do for many years!"
I don't think many people do that, or the names wouldn't be so outrageous.
I worked in neonatal ICU back in the mid-70s when Roots was popular, and saw such names as Kunte Kinte Smith, and Mohammed Jones.
And what's with all the weird apostrophes? Most of the people who do that don't know where to put one where it belongs!
And yes, I do think names affect hiring practices, unfortunately. Sometimes there is little thought given to certain things.
Muhammed is not outrageous considering that is the founder of one of the largest religions in the world. Its pretty common in the middle east.
Now try finding Bob in Saudi Arabia,that would be an unusual name over there.
I have heard of the OP happening but more so in Corporate America than in nursing.
I am African American and my first name is the typical "black girl" name, but spelled a little different.
I was born in the 70's when it was the "Black Panther" era and it was encouraged to give your kids "made up" names to make them different. I work with several nurses who are about the same age as I am, who all have the same type of made of up first name as I do, but pronouced differently and spelled differently.
My son has a very plain name and he is named after his father and grandfather and great-grandfather. I have been told it's a "white name" but his name is something that has been going on in his father's family for years and was taken from a great African American poet. Atleast my son will have a chance to get an interview over the internet after he submit his resume and it won't be thrown away, had his name been "DeShawn". I'm sorry, but I feel discrimination on names is real. And it really bothers me when I hear kids being named after ETOH drinks, given a combination name of "momma and daddy" names, etc. I don't think those kids will stand a chance. Sorry.
I have heard of the OP happening but more so in Corporate America than in nursing.
I am African American and my first name is the typical "black girl" name, but spelled a little different.
I was born in the 70's when it was the "Black Panther" era and it was encouraged to give your kids "made up" names to make them different. I work with several nurses who are about the same age as I am, who all have the same type of made of up first name as I do, but pronouced differently and spelled differently.
My son has a very plain name and he is named after his father and grandfather and great-grandfather. I have been told it's a "white name" but his name is something that has been going on in his father's family for years and was taken from a great African American poet. Atleast my son will have a chance to get an interview over the internet after he submit his resume and it won't be thrown away, had his name been "DeShawn". I'm sorry, but I feel discrimination on names is real. And it really bothers me when I hear kids being named after ETOH drinks, given a combination name of "momma and daddy" names, etc. I don't think those kids will stand a chance. Sorry.
I actually know a girl named Chardonnay and a boy named Alize; 'Nay is my daughter's age. When my daughter started school 13 years ago it seems like the names of all of her friends ended in -quez. I kid you not; not just girls but boys also. It's to the point now that I can't distinguish the names and although it may sound mean but I refer to them as the -quez's.
Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.
One thing that strikes me is how many names give you an idea of a person's age.
I was hugely surprised last week when a chap with a very modern-sounding name, who I blithely assumed would be one of our young testicular cancer patients turned out to be 86! I was honestly confused enough to assume he was the wrong patient.
Usually a Mavis, Edna or Violet is an older lady and an Alf, Ernest or Leonard an older gentleman. A Kylie, Chantelle or Destiny iead you to expect a younger person as does a Kyle, Daryl or Damien.
I actually know a girl named Chardonnay and a boy named Alize; 'Nay is my daughter's age. When my daughter started school 13 years ago it seems like the names of all of her friends ended in -quez. I kid you not; not just girls but boys also. It's to the point now that I can't distinguish the names and although it may sound mean but I refer to them as the -quez's.
I got one even better. I know a girl named I'mUnique. And that is NO joke! And another girl named Remi Henni (after momma's favorite drinks). My sister is 22 and went to school with a boy named Hardtimes. And you wonder why he can't get a job.
I got one even better. I know a girl named I'mUnique. And that is NO joke! And another girl named Remi Henni (after momma's favorite drinks). My sister is 22 and went to school with a boy named Hardtimes. And you wonder why he can't get a job.
I can't......
Hardtimes?????? Are you kidding me. Well I just ran across one better and I'm sure you are not ready. How about Na'Ledge...
But even though my name may be hard to pronouce its not silly or childish sounding. I'm wondering would Bambie buttercup 
smartnurse1982
1,775 Posts
It seems to be based on region. Up north its not a problem as much as it is the south. I find most people are ignorant. I have muslim sounding first name and you won't believe the things said to me while I'm standing right there. Its even gotten worse since the New York mosque issue.
Most. Americans seem to me that they can't think outside of their own little world. For instance,and I hope to not inflame anyone,but a lot of black people are Muslim and thus have Muslim names,but for some reason most will assume they are made up when in fact they are not.
Then again,I wonder how Bho got to be president with his name.