SLIPPERY ROCK — More children are being given distinctive names because their parents want their offspring to stand out and feel special.

That’s the cause listed in a study cited by Catherine Massey, associate professor of psychology at Slippery Rock University.

The study, “Fitting In or Standing Out” by Jean Twinge and Emodish Abebe of San Diego State University and W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia in Social Psychological and Personality Science journal, found “an increasing number of American parents give their children names that will help them stand out rather than fit in, a behavioral indicator of the increase in the emphasis of individualism and uniqueness in American society.”

“I think it’s a cultural change,” agreed Massey. “Names popular in the 1920s are not popular today. We don’t see that many named Esther or those types of names. Cultural change and things that are happening in society are influencing names of children.”

“In my classes, I can tell Ashleys are very popular now, so are Caitlins and Jennifers,” said Massey.

The study noted “Americans are now much less likely to give their children common names. For example, 40 percent of boys once received one of the 10 most common names; now, fewer than 10 percent do.”

“For girls, the percentage with a top-10 name dropped from 25 percent to 8 percent.”

Frederick White, associate professor of English at SRU, said of children with a distinctive name, “They appreciate the fact that not only does their name stand out, they are different from everyone else, and they usually like that difference,” he said. “How other people see them depends on the name.”

White said a lot of factors go into to choosing a distinctive name.

“There’s the desire for their child to have a unique name, so they grow up having a sense of uniqueness,” he said.

“It could be based on meaning or they could make the choice because of how the name sounds, how it flows, the effect of the name on the ear,” White said.

How a name affects others’ ears might bring its bearer some ridicule, said Massey.

“Names are an important form of your identity,” said Massey. “If it will have a negative effect, it is hard to say.”

“It’s more important to a child’s development that they are loved and know they are secure,” she said.

“Certainly we know of names used to tease a child, but I don’t know if unique names make it any worse,” she said.

“Occasionally you will find someone who would rather blend in,” said White.

“In our society when they come of age, they can legally change their name if they don’t like theirs,” he said.