Abstract
Males and females were asked to rate the gender neutrality of familiar and unfamiliar names in order to identify gender neutral names for training and research purposes. A large group of non-traditional students and a group of practicing managers provided responses to a series of names. Two follow-up studies were also conducted to provide replication and verification. Initially, 26 familiar and 21 unfamiliar names were studied although in the final study that was expanded to include nine more familiar names. The most neutral names identified were Pat, Terry, Chris, and Lee.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Anderson, T., & Schmitt, P. R. (1990). Unique first names in male and female psychiatric inpatients, The Journal of Social Psychology, 130, 835–837.
Barry, H., III, & Harper, A.S. (1995). Increased choice of female phonetic attributes in first names. Sex Roles, 32, 809–819.
Barry, H., III, & Harper, A.S. (1993). Feminization of unisex names from 1960 to 1990. Names, 41, 228–238.
Barry, H., III, & Harper, A.S. (1982). Evolution of unless names. Names, 30, 15–22.
Deaux, K. (1984). From individual differences to social categories: Analysis of a decade's research on gender. American Psychologist, 39, 105–116.
Duffy, J. C., & Ridinger, B. (1981). Stereotyped connotations of masculine and feminine names, Sex Roles, 7, 25–33.
Eitington, J. E. (1989). The winning trainer. TX: Gulf Publishing Company.
Garwood, S. G., Baer, S., Levine, D., Carroll, S., & O'Neal, E. (1981), Sex-role expectations of socially desirable 1st names, Sex Roles, 7, 257–262.
Goldberg, P. (1968). Are women prejudiced against women? Transaction, 5, 28–30.
Haemmerlie, F. M., & Montgomery, R. L. (1991). Goldberg revisited: Pro-female evaluation bias and changed attitudes toward women by engineering students, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6, 179–194.
Kasof, J. (1993). Sex bias in the naming of stimulus persons, Psychological Bulletin, 113, 140–163.
Roberts, T. (1991). Gender and the influence of evaluations on self-assessments in achievement settings, Psychological Bulletin, 109, 297–308.
Rosen, B., & Jerdee, T. H. (1974). Effects of applicant's sex and difficulty of job on evaluations of candidates for managerial positions, Journal of Applied Psychology, 59, 511–512.
Rosen, B., & Jerdee, T. H. (1973). The influence of sex role stereotypes on evaluations of male and female supervisory behavior, Journal of Applied Psychology, 57, 44–54.
Shaw, E. A. (1972). Differential impact of negative stereotyping in employee selection, Personnel Psychology, 25, 333–338.
Slater, A. S., & Feinman, S. (1985). Gender and phonology of North American first names. Sex Roles, 13, 429–440.
Steele, K. M., & Smithwick, L. E. (1989). First names and first impressions: A fragile relationship, Sex Roles, 21, 517–523.
Van Fleet, D. D., & Saurage, J. (1984). Recent research on women in leadership and management, Akron Business and Economic Review, 15, 15–24.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van Fleet, D.D., Atwater, L. Gender Neutral Names: Don't Be So Sure!. Sex Roles 37, 111–123 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025696905342
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025696905342