If your name is hard to pronounce – that could be a problem...

If your full name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue – it could hold you back professionally...  

A recent study looked at a group of adults – and their promotability. Those with easy-to-pronounce or fluent surnames, such as Dunlop or Stevenson, were 7 to 8% more likely to be promoted. Those with last names including Leszczynska, Nafpliotis and MacEochagan were more likely to be overlooked in the promotion department.

We don’t do it on purpose – but when we are processing names and data, our brains prefer information that is easier to comprehend. With fluent names, there is less of a risk of embarrassing ourselves or insulting anyone. 

If your name is unusual or difficult to pronounce, you could actually put yourself at an advantage by choosing a nickname. Participants in the study who had a nickname listed on their resume or contact information actually stood out more and were easier to recognize.