When it comes down to it, all everyone wants in life is to be happy. So, what if we told you the name your parents gave you has played a crucial part in achieving that?
Well, it turns out that certain monikers may actually make you destined for a happier life, according to new research – yes, seriously.

A recent study published by pakmag.com and conducted by psychologist Dr David Holmes revealed a list of both male and female names believed to be the most cheerful names in the world, thus making the individuals carrying the name among the happiest on the planet.
For men, the name Joshua proved to be the most joyful, closely followed by the names Jason and Matthew. So if you’ve got a son or grandson on the way, you might want to consider one of the three. Other names including Terry, Berry, Stan and Ian were also in the top ten names for men.
If your name is Judy then you’re in luck because the study found that this was the happiest name for women. The names Stephanie and Linda took the second and third spot, while others in the top ten included Pam, Pat, Fiona and Paula. In other words, names beginning with the letter ‘P’ are an excellent choice for girls.
Top 10 Happiest Male Names
- Joshua
- Jason
- Matthew
- Terry
- Barry
- Stan
- Ian
- Craig
- Nigel
- Christopher

Top 10 Happiest Female Names
- Judy
- Stephanie
- Linda
- Pam
- Pat
- Fiona
- Paula
- Susan
- Isobel
- Vicky
On the flip side, the female names Lynn, Charlotte and Tina were found to be the most unhappy names in the world, while men named Ben, Andrew and Edward are believed to be the saddest.
Additionally, the research also highlighted the fact that when asked about their own names, more than two in five Brits believe their first name has affected how successful they are. Subsequently, a survey by Grosvenor Casinos found that the names William and Victoria were the most successful names, closely followed by George and Elizabeth. But something tells us that may have a thing or two to do with a certain royal family.