Surnames

[Count Room]

Just an open question on the psychological power of surnames:

If Steve Wynn had come from the Lose family and he was Steve Lose instead (yes, there are a few families with the "Lose" surname)....would Mr. Wynn had been able to build the casino empire that he had?

I realize this question may sound a bit cloying and childish in some ways, but it fascinated me a bit about the power of names, etc.

[Alan Mendelson]

You actually touched on a serious issue. I know of professionals who have changed their names legally for what should be described as nothing less than commercial reasons.

I know an accountant who legally changed his last name to "Tax." I know of a lawyer who legally changed his last name to "Wynn" so he could promote how he wins cases.

When I was in college and worked at WFBL Radio in Syracuse, the program director wanted me to have a different on air name. It is not uncommon for broadcasters to use "stage names" or on-air names. Since I was the overnight DJ from midnight to 5-AM, he wanted me to go by the name "Jerry Knight" so the station could promote "Up All Night With Jerry Knight" but luckily the General Manager was passing by the conference room just as the program director was telling me that -- and the GM said "no, I like Mendelson and we can promote "Mendelson's Music."

[Count Room]

I agree that it should be researched a bit further, Alan.

Here are some more Subliminally Suggestive Surnames for the fun of it:

Jamie GOLD
Chris MONEYMAKER
(Didn't both of these guys win the WSOP years ago??)

Donald TRUMP ....His decisions trump all others (eg. The Apprentice "You're Fired!")

Warren BUFFETT...Very similar to a buffet, which is a value type dinner with a smorgasboard of options...Just like the huge fortune he made picking value stocks from the thousands of stocks out there

Sam WALTON....Built the Wal-Mart empire throughout America's rural countryside. Remember the The Waltons TV show from the 1970's-80's? A down-home country family ("Good night John Boy!", "Good night, Elizabeth!")...Feels like a cozy name ...a comfortable country boy's surname you wouldn't mind doing business with...

Tiger WOODS.....Aren't there usually wooded areas near golf courses?....Also...didn't he have trouble keeping his "WOODS" under control because of his philandering a few years back?

I don't claim to say that subliminally suggestive surnames are the end-all, be-all as to whether a person will be successful or not...but I do believe academics should be taking a harder look at this!

[Count Room]

Lest we not forget bigtime pastor Creflo Dollar Jr. who sometimes draws in as much as $100,000 per appearance...

http://www.wwltv.com/news/national/158185955.html

[Alan Mendelson]

Pastor Dollar gets a hundred thousand of them? Wow.

I've made personal appearances at various church and civic groups. If I'm lucky, they give me a can of diet coke.

Oh, and about "Tiger Woods." The "woods" are drivers, as opposed to "irons" which are for intermediate ranges.

[Count Room]

Ah yeah, you're right about the "woods" Alan. Never did pay much attention to golf...more of a camper/hiker/fisherman, myself.