Do you secretly feel like a hidden genius? Your first name might hold the answer, according to a study by EduBirdie. Researchers reviewed 900 first names of Mensa members, a global organization of high IQ individuals. They identified the most frequently appearing names to compile a list of the “smartest” people.
Intelligence: Is It Really In a Name?
So, what did the study reveal about names of intelligent people? Among women, the name Marie appeared frequently. No shocker here—Marie Curie, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist, springs to mind. Elisabeth, while less common in France, ranks high too. Think of icons like Queen Elizabeth II and actress Elizabeth Taylor, who both left a mark with their wit and brilliance.
For the guys, John or its French counterpart, Jean, took the top spot. Notables like Jean-Paul Sartre and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, both philosophical heavyweights, come to mind. Next up, Robert—while not as trendy today, this name has historically been linked with sharp-minded individuals. Maybe it’s time to revive the name Robert?
Discover the Smartest Female Names
- Marie
- Elizabeth
- Helene
- Suzanne
- Barbara
- Irene
- Jane
- Nadia
Discover the Smartest Male Names
- John / Jean
- Robert
- Guillaume
- James
- Thomas
- George
- Richard
- Charles
- Carl
- Paul
- Michael
Now, before you start plotting a name change, let’s get real. A person’s first name has zero impact on their intelligence. Real smarts come from a blend of genetics, environment, education, and life experiences. Judging intelligence based on a name? It’s like trying to figure out the plot of a mystery novel from its cover—it just doesn’t work.
This article first appeared on grazia.fr – Author: Luce Picat
