CONNOTATIVE MEANINGS OF NAMES AND NICKNAMES - CHANGES OVER 27 YEARS

660 male and 660 female names were evaluated using a five-point rating scale on the dimensions of active-passive, masculine-feminine, and li ke-dislike by 478 undergraduate students. Twenty groups of approximate ly 24 participants each were formed (14 women and 10 men), and each gr oup rated either 66 male or 66 female names. These ratings were compar ed with name ratings made 27 years ago by undergraduate students teste d by Buchanan and Bruning in 1971. The top 25 names on each dimension are presented and changes in their connotative meanings over the 27 ye ars are noted.