Why Kevins don't get girlfriends: Potential partners less likely to click on 'unattractive names' on dating websites

By Daily Mail Reporter

Finding love online can be tough – especially if you’re called Kevin.

Researchers say that people using dating websites are less likely to pursue a relationship with someone called Mandy, Justin, Chantal or Kevin, because the names are all associated with troublemaking.

Alexanders, Charlottes and Jacobs fare far better, they said.

'Trouble': Harry Enfield character Kevin, pictured, epitomises the bad image of the name
Justin has also remained an unpopular name in prospective suitors, despite the success of singer Justin Bieber

Named and shamed: Harry Enfield character Kevin (left) epitomises the bad image bestowed on people of that name; not even Justin Bieber (right) has popularised his first name. Both names are associated with trouble-making

Psychologists at the Humboldt University in Berlin reached the conclusions after testing how often 47,000 dating site members would open messages from English-sounding suitors.

 

They were sent without pictures – just names, ages and postcodes.

Those from people with ‘less attractive’ first names received significantly fewer clicks.

‘Mails sent from an Alexander were clicked on 102 per cent more times than those from a Kevin,’ said the study’s leader, Jochen Gebauer.

‘Single people would seem to prefer to remain alone than meet up with someone called Kevin or Chantal.’

THE BEST AND WORST NAMES FOR ONLINE DATING 

WORSTBEST
KevinJacob
JustinAlexander
MarvinCharlotte
DennisEmma
MandyHannah
CelinaMax
ChantalMarie
JacquelinePeter

Mark

A further two studies involving around 4,000 and 6,000 people being offered a greater selection of names produced similar results.

The researchers said it was ‘likely’ that people with names that carry negative connotations would suffer more setbacks in life than those with positively regarded names, affecting their confidence and self-esteem into the bargain.

Two years ago, researchers at the University of Oldenburg conducted a study proving that teachers showed prejudice against children with 'lower class' names such as Kevin or Mandy.

 

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

People are so shallow; I don't care what a girl's name is.

Click to rate     Rating   40

Alan is good, so is David, how could you not mention those two perfect names?? Alan David Pena

Click to rate     Rating   22

What a stupid article, like a name makes any difference to anyones intelligence, these comments are stupid. My only input is mothers fashion statements with calling their children stupid names... Apples or is it Peaches comes to mind. Each to their own though.

Click to rate     Rating   21

I bet the Jacobs and Alexanders had SW1 postcodes, whilst the Kevins and Justins were in E17!!

Click to rate     Rating   22

Of course, it should have been added that this was a GERMAN study. Kevin, Marvin and Justin are typical East-German 'lower class' names, so much so that wide swaths of TV comedy capitalise on the fact. I've just come back from the Harz mountains and found a Denny M�ller, a Steven and his brother Jeremy Pabst, a Marlon (yes) and so forth. These names sound stupid when coupled with German surnames and are widely associated with social deprivation. So rest assured Englanders that your Kevins are safe and will still be chosen by the ladees! :-)

Click to rate     Rating   33

Ground-breaking, earth-shattering news, as usual, so I see.

Click to rate     Rating   25

That's ridiculous. My husband's name is Kevin -- and I know a lot of women married to very wonderful Kevins of their own. Maybe it's just because my husband (and theirs) didn't meet his partner through a dating site and thus wasn't subject to superficial idiots?

Click to rate     Rating   12

What about Bob?

Click to rate     Rating   19

Sometimes I wish I wasn't gifted with such a sexy, commanding, authoritative name awash, as it is, with gravitas. I can't even go to the shops without beautiful women throwing themselves at me (and men bowing and scraping). Sometimes one wishes for a simple, homely name ...... like Kevin. Ho hum.

Click to rate     Rating   47

Never judge a book. I nearly got named Wayne , as a Kevin I consider myself lucky.

Click to rate     Rating   45

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