Research reveals the ‘happiest’ baby names for boys and girls

WHEN it comes to choosing a baby name, parents-to-be are pressed for choice. But this list might lend a helping hand.

A study has shown what names are 'happy' and 'unhappy'.

WANT your child to be happy in life? The answer might be in their name.

It turns out that certain names may actually help your son or daughter be destined to be happier than others, according to research.

Psychologist Dr David Holmes revealed the male and female names that are typically the most cheerful on the planet, according to a study by pakmag.com.

If you are deciding a name for your new son, you might wish to consider Joshua, Jason or Matthew — as these are often the most joyful.

Meanwhile for girls, Judy, Stephanie and Linda were the top three options for happiness.

On the other end of the scale, the most “unhappy” names were also shared in the findings.

TOP TEN HAPPIEST BOYS NAMES

1. Joshua

2. Jason

3. Matthew

4. Terry

5. Barry

6. Stan

7. Ian

8. Craig

9. Nigel

10. Christopher

TOP TEN HAPPIEST GIRLS NAMES

1. Judy

2. Stephanie

3. Linda

4. Pam

5. Pat

6. Fiona

7. Paula

8. Susan

9. Isobel

10. Vicky

The list of 'happiest' and 'unhappiest' boy and girl baby names might surprise you.

And it’s bad news if you are called Ben, Andrew or Edward, which were the top three names for boys found to be sadder.

For girls, the names you may wish to avoid are Lynn, Charlotte and Tina.

While many parents’ main priority for their kids is happiness, if you want them to be destined for success, their name could help them along the way.

In fact, two-thirds of Brits think that your first name can affect how far you’ll go in life, and the top monikers have been revealed.

TOP TEN ‘UNHAPPY’ BOYS NAMES

1. Ben

2. Andrew

3. Edward

4. Tim

5. Owen

6. Bob

7. Dennis

8. Ray

9. Alfie

10. Jeremy

TOP TEN ‘UNHAPPY’ GIRLS NAMES

1. Lynn

2. Charlotte

3. Tina

4. Amy

5. Tara

6. Sam

7. Alex

8. Tanya

9. Jessica

10. Olivia

This list may help make your final decision.

Top of the charts is William and Victoria, with 37.8 per cent of those in the Grosvenor Casinos survey thinking these are the most successful names.

Coming in a close second was George (37.3 per cent) and third place went to Elizabeth (36.3 per cent).

Also making the top five were Richard and Alexander (32 per cent) and Thomas (28.1 per cent).

When it comes to how you are perceived, nearly half of Brits (46 per cent) think that sharing a name with a historical figure can help your chances in life.

And 30 per cent think that sharing a name with a celebrity can boost your success by association.

TOP 10 MOST SUCCESSFUL FIRST NAMES

William and Victoria (37.8 per cent)

George (37.3 per cent)

Elizabeth (36.3 per cent)

Richard and Alexander (32 per cent)

Thomas (28.1 per cent)

David (27.8 per cent)

Harry (25.5 per cent)

John (24.2 per cent)

Oliver (23.1 per cent)

Olivia (18.6 per cent)

When asked about their own names, more than two in five Brits believe their first name has affected how successful they are.

Head of brand for Grosvenor Casinos’, Caroline Webb said: “It’s so interesting to see what the nation considers to be a successful name.

“It does ask the question, if you are given one of these names, are you more primed for success in life?”

So what’s in a name? A lot apparently!

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.