The most influential male name in the United States has been identified, and it might not be what you anticipate.
Choosing a name for your child involves numerous considerations and is a serious matter.
Initially, you should consider whether the name will age gracefully and remain suitable as time progresses.
Along with ensuring it complements the last name, it’s wise to check if others are using the same name to avoid duplication – note that some names are legally restricted for children.
Names are inherently subjective, so don’t worry if others don’t favor your choice.
However, a good indicator of a strong name that might serve your child well in the future is its presence on a list discussing the most influential names nationwide.
A recent study has highlighted a name you may want to consider.
This is because 21 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies share this name.
Profit Engine conducted research to determine if a person’s name influences their professional outcome.
“The patterns we discovered were quite striking,” Jason Morris, CEO of Profit Engine stated. “While correlation doesn’t equal causation, these results definitely make you wonder if there’s something to the old saying about names shaping destiny.
“These findings reveal something notable about representation in American corporate leadership. The complete dominance of traditional male names isn’t a coincidence.”
The name in question?
Robert.
Whether they prefer to be called Rob, Robbie, Bert, or another variation, Robert is a common name among company leaders.
For instance, Robert Iger is the CEO of Disney, and Robert Kelly Ortberg leads Boeing.
“Robert has been a powerhouse name for decades,” Morris mentioned in the Press Release. “It projects authority and tradition, both of which are qualities that boards of directors clearly value when selecting leadership.”
However, Robert has declined in popularity since its peak in 2000.
If Robert isn’t appealing, Profit Engine identified that male Fortune 500 CEOs typically have traditional names, listing the top ten.
“These findings reveal something notable about representation in American corporate leadership,” Morris said. “The complete dominance of traditional male names isn’t a coincidence. It reflects decades of systemic patterns in who climbs the corporate ladder.
“What’s particularly telling is that we’re not seeing the diversity of names that reflects modern America. No Aidens [or] Ethans, despite these being popular baby names in recent decades. This suggests either a generational lag or that certain naming conventions still carry unconscious advantages in professional settings.”
As of this year, the Social Security Administration lists Liam, Noah, Oliver, James, Mateo, Theodore, Elijah, and Henry as the most popular baby names.
There’s at least one ‘influential’ name among them.
While the Profit Engine study did not examine female names, a review of Fortune 500 CEOs reveals some patterns.
Currently, 55 women lead Fortune 500 companies, with Jennifer (four CEOs), Kathleen (three CEOs), Mary (two CEOs), and Susan (two CEOs) being prominent names.
The limited data on female CEOs also highlights a significant gap.