Is Joshua happy?

Research commissioned by the internet bank Smile suggests that Judy and Joshua are the happiest names in the UK.

Dr David Holmes, a leading psychologist from Manchester Metropolitan University comments: "We know from our research that names can influence student marks so it follows that they also affect how we treat those so named. The associations we have with certain names, particularly significant namesakes, also shapes how we see ourselves and thus may have an effect on our confidence and assumed role in society. Names are like product brands in having a powerful effect on attitudes and should therefore be chosen with care."

Dr Holmes does not identify any "significant namesakes" called Joshua.

Posted at March 28, 2009 08:06 AM