Department of Psychology.
Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2021 Jul;27(3):307-319. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000420. Epub 2020 Sep 17.
Ethnic first names are a visible product of diversity in the West, yet little is known about the psychological factors that influence naming preferences and choices among bicultural individuals.
Participants in Studies 1a (South Asian Canadians; = 326) and 1b (Iranian Canadians; = 126) were prospective parents who completed an online survey with measures of naming (consequences of ethnic naming, naming preferences) and psychological factors related to naming: heritage and mainstream acculturation, ethno-cultural continuity. Study 2 participants ( = 211) were parents of an Indian background living in three English speaking countries (Canada, United States, UK). They completed an online survey with measures of naming (consequences of ethnic naming, names as markers of cultural identity, actual naming choices) and psychological factors: heritage and mainstream cultural identifications, ethno-cultural continuity.
Across all 3 studies we observed a strong preference for ethnic over mainstream names. In Studies 1a and 1b heritage acculturation and motivation for ethno-cultural continuity predicted stronger preference for ethnic names. In contrast, a preference for mainstream names was predicted by mainstream acculturation and expectations of negative consequences of ethnic names. In Study 2 choice of an ethnic name was positively related to beliefs about names as markers of ethnic identity, and negatively related to expectations of negative consequences of ethnic names.
Baby naming among ethnic minorities is a complex cultural decision, reflecting both identity and pragmatic concerns. Implications for studies of acculturation and identity, and future research directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
族裔名字是西方多元化的一个明显产物，但对于影响双语个体命名偏好和选择的心理因素知之甚少。
研究 1a（南亚加拿大裔；n=326）和 1b（伊朗加拿大裔；n=126）的参与者为有生育计划的父母，他们在线完成了一项关于命名（族裔命名的后果、命名偏好）和与命名相关的心理因素（传承和主流文化适应、族裔文化连续性）的测量。研究 2 的参与者（n=211）为居住在三个英语国家（加拿大、美国、英国）的印度裔父母。他们在线完成了一项关于命名（族裔命名的后果、名字作为文化认同的标志、实际命名选择）和心理因素（传承和主流文化认同、族裔文化连续性）的测量。
在所有 3 项研究中，我们观察到强烈偏好族裔名字而非主流名字。在研究 1a 和 1b 中，传承文化适应和保持族裔文化连续性的动机预测了对族裔名字的强烈偏好。相比之下，主流文化适应和对族裔名字负面后果的预期则预测了对主流名字的偏好。在研究 2 中，选择族裔名字与相信名字是族裔认同的标志呈正相关，与对族裔名字负面后果的预期呈负相关。
少数族裔的婴儿命名是一个复杂的文化决策，反映了身份认同和实际问题。这对文化适应和身份认同的研究以及未来的研究方向具有启示意义。
