I don't believe in any kind of unscientific obscurantism at all: astrology, psychics, spirits, etc.
But there is one bit of nonsense I do believe in: that a name affects a person's character, or else that people are given names that reflect their character. The former is more likely, since it can at least be explained by the fact that a person associates themselves with their name and hears it spoken many times, including at an early age, when it sinks into the subconscious. Pure speculation, of course, but I have to find some way to explain this enormous plank in my own eye.
According to my modest observations, in one line each.
Andreys are distinctive and original, which can make them slightly unpleasant. But I like Andreys, although other people often find them a little crazy.
Mikhails like attention and showing off.
Eriks are slightly headstrong and arrogant, and enterprising.
Eduards are cheerful and reckless guys who generally don't trouble themselves with deep thought.
Arthurs are petty tyrants :-), or, more precisely, vain and stubborn; their character can sometimes be difficult and domineering.
Vladimirs are familiar to us from jokes about Little Vova and the unforgettable old geezer Ilyich, so there's no need to write anything here.
Vladislavs resemble Vladimirs, but are more dreamy and easily carried away.
Dmitrys are cunning, keep their own counsel, and make plans.
Igors are slightly dry and logical, somewhat meticulous and cynically skeptical.
Nikitas are "people with delicate emotional constitutions", otherwise known as temperamental artists.
Alexeys are hard to describe in one line, but I'll try: fairly gentle homebodies, but because they can be mama's boys or
womanizers, they can sometimes be harsh.
Alexanders are the most normal and well-balanced people; they know how to work and how to live.
Yuris are a little pedantic and generally closed off from other people, but I don't know many Yuris.
Yevgenys are also hard to describe in one line, but generally they are fairly open to the world, kind of normally crazy overall. That is, they seem normal, but sometimes try to buck and do something outside the usual bounds. But since their character isn't really like that, it comes across as unnatural, unlike with Andreys.
Anatolys are fairly reserved people who don't much like abrupt intrusions into their inner world; in other words, you could say they are sensitive. They also seem fairly dependable.
Sergeys vary, because there are so many of them. On the whole, they are fairly straightforward, in the sense that they don't put on airs. But sometimes they seem to lack some vivid character trait, or perhaps our outlooks on life are just slightly different. (Though I know many wonderful Sergeys; they know who I mean)
I only know one Vasily, but he is dependable and normal.
Maxims are generally fairly gentle and pleasant people who are well liked in company. They are also not especially logical, but rather poetic. Because of this, they are sometimes a little stubborn and skillfully try to prove that their point of view is correct, even though a better, more solid solution can be found.
Viktors are sociable people, but at the same time they often have a good head for logic and are quick-witted.
Denises seem to enjoy doing unpredictable and strange things, but I don't know many Denises.
By the end, though, these stopped fitting into one line. I won't say anything about girls; that's a separate conversation. I won't say anything about the other names either; there isn't enough data. Besides, the internet is full of sites on the subject.
It would also be nice to write about what kind of music each of them likes, but that isn't so easy to do.
How a Person's Name Affects Their Character
2006-11-07