In my book Theory of Dominance, I argue that a person’s life path is rigidly set by a number of factors. It should be said about such a factor as the “construction” of the surname. The fact is that the number of syllables in a surname and the stress on the syllable in it affects the attitude of others to its owner.
In the article “What does your last name say?” we examined the following types of surnames:
- “Decisive” – stress on the 1st syllable (Pavlov, Mezenskaya). Such a surname suggests the decisiveness, even aggressiveness of its owner and, in turn, really pushes him to such a course of action.
- “Static” – stress on the 2nd or 4th syllable (Kirpichnikov, Taktakishvili). This surname creates the illusion of passivity.
- “Important bird” – stress on the 3rd or 5th syllable (Kotlyarevsky, Ter-Avetikyan). This surname gives the impression of “important” and at the same time contributes to the formation of the image of a leisurely, respectable person.
- “White crow” is a surname with an ambiguous accent (either Alexandrov or Alexandrov). The status of the surname “floats” depending on which syllable is stressed.
- “Shocking” – a surname in which the stressed syllable is the last (Kovalkov, Magro). The surname gives the impression that its owner is a fan of “throwing out tricks”.
At the same time, surnames with an even number of syllables give the impression of something finished and create the conviction that their bearers bring things to the end (Zyu-bin, Ga-lichev-skiy). The opposite impression is created by surnames with odd colic syllables (Khle-sta-kov, Pshe-nich-ni-ko-va).
How do people with different types of surnames relate to each other?
The main conflict arises between “Resolute” and “Static”. Holders of surnames with an emphasis on the second or fourth syllable see in the surname with the first stressed syllable a hint of the haste of its owner, as well as his tendency to play the role of “upstart”. As for the surnames with the accent on the third syllable, they also seem to the “second-syllables” to be “important” and pretentious.
The conflicts between “Resolute” and “Big Bird” are not so serious. The “Important Bird” criticizes “Resolute” for haste, and “Resolute” considers the one a bossy arrogance who cannot be budged. Nevertheless, they consider each other “people of the same class” – the highest, of course.
To avoid interpersonal problems, bosses should follow these guidelines. Each “Resolute” will be given his own “fiefdom”, in which he will feel like a master, not shackled by petty tutelage. Let him take the initiative and lead people. It is best to attach the “important bird” to the management of the economy, finances, or to entrust other work that requires solid deliberation. The “static” is more suitable for work on the site where you need to communicate with people, because he can win over and inspire confidence.
Mistrust towards people of other nationalities is explained, in particular, by the type of surname. For example, the standard Georgian surnames ( Yenukidze , Abashidze ) sound pretentious to the Russian ear due to the fact that the stress in them falls on the third syllable (while a person with the surname Svanidze will be perceived almost as “ours” for the reason that the stress falls on the second syllable). The surnames of Polish origin with the accent on the third syllable ( Lewandowski ) also seem to be too “important” .
The same can be said about standard Jewish surnames of four syllables with an emphasis on the third syllable and ending in “ich” ( Rabinovich , Kantorovich ) – by the way, do not confuse with three-syllable surnames with an emphasis on the second syllable (like the epic hero Alyosha Popovich ) , – and also about surnames of two syllables ending in “in”, “itz” and “man” ( Rivkin , Livshits , Goldman ). Let me remind you that the stress on the first syllable in the surname is perceived as aggression, impudence, arrogance. Meanwhile, these are exactly the surnames of Western, including German origin ( Shtelmach ).
Surnames of the bride and groom
Women attach considerable importance to the names of the potential chosen one. Therefore, suitors with “status” surnames have some advantages. A “decisive” woman (1st syllable) is more likely to pay attention to the “Important bird” (3rd or 5th syllable) than to the “Static” (2nd or 4th syllable), and the woman – “Important bird “- rather on” Resolute “than on the man -” Important bird “or even more” Static “. Owners of surnames with an emphasis on the second or fourth syllable still sometimes give preference to the same “static” surnames, since “status” surnames with accents on the 1st, 3rd and 5th syllables seem to them somewhat frightening (they say, don’t get into your sleigh ).
The male logic in this matter is about the same. The “Resolute” man is flattered by the attention of the “Important bird” woman, and the “Important bird” man may seem prestigious to lure the “Resolute” into his nets. As for the groom with a “static” surname (2nd or 4th syllable), the girl’s surname with an accent on the first syllable (and at the same time her owner herself) may seem “bitchy” to him.
Unfortunately, when changing a surname, women do not always notice that the female version of the husband’s surname sometimes implies a lower status. For example, there are 4 syllables in the surname of Pesochnikov , and those around him see in him, although not very noticeable, but a harmonious self-sufficient person who brings his affairs to the end (due to the even number of syllables). But his wife – Pesochnikova – will be perceived as something incomplete, unformed, chaotic. Of course, it also happens that the female version of the surname is more successful than the male one ( Temnitsky is a three-syllable “unfinished” surname, Temnitskaya is a four-syllable “completed”).
With the surname “Ulyanov” you won’t get into power!
A new surname or pseudonym radically changes your destiny, because those around you begin to perceive you in a completely different way. I believe, if Lenin had remained Ulyanov, he would not have left such a noticeable trace in history, and as for Stalin, if he remained Dzhugashvili, he could count, at most, on the post of People’s Commissar.
True, when changing your surname, you must not be mistaken and take into account the rules set out by us in the article “What does your surname say?” Somehow I came across a note about a party activist who decided to take the name “KPRF”. It is unlikely that she will help her political career, since when pronouncing the accent in such a surname falls on the fourth syllable, and this is an even more disadvantageous position than the stress on the second syllable! Isn’t that why everyone who could be awarded for the film “Seventeen Moments of Spring”, and only one person was “forgotten” – the author of the popularly loved song of the composer Tariverdiev (4th syllable)?
Surname for scientist, official, showman
It should be noted that a surname, ideal for a politician, will only hinder the career of a scientist or a managerial official, since these people are required not decisiveness and speed of action, but caution and the ability to bring things to an end. The path in science is much easier for those whose surname consists of four syllables and has an accent on the third syllable, but a short “presidential” surname with an accent on the first syllable does not bode well for a scientist. Often a scientist with such a surname is labeled as an upstart, someone who makes ill-considered statements.
It should not be forgotten that a surname with an accent on the first syllable is a stress factor for its owner, especially if he does not occupy a prominent position in society. The same, albeit to a lesser extent, applies to “important” surnames with an emphasis on the third syllable.
As for the “boastful” surnames – that is, those that end in a stressed syllable, they are favorable for artists and journalists who need to shock the public, and if your goal is to live in peace, everyone will like it and not attract too much attention to yourself, settle for a surname with an emphasis on the second or fourth syllable. Success will accompany you in those areas of activity where sociability and the ability to please people are required, since a surname with an emphasis on the second syllable does not seem defiant.
A surname with an emphasis on the first and, somewhat less, on the third syllable provokes megalomania in its owner. There are much fewer Russian surnames with an emphasis on the first syllable than surnames with an emphasis on the second syllable. Nevertheless, among famous people, there are especially many surnames with an accent on the first and also on the third syllable.
Last name and policy
The largest percentage of votes in the all-Russian elections have always been collected by people with a surname of two syllables and an accent on the first syllable. This surname maximally symbolizes decisiveness and speed of action. They are followed by the owners of the stress on the last syllable (any according to the count) and four-syllable surnames with the stress on the third syllable, but they are perceived as insufficiently strong-willed. As for those whose surnames are stressed on the second syllable, they have a reputation for being “neither fish nor flesh,” especially if the surname is long. True, those whose surname ends with a stressed syllable can still count on something, since there is more energy in such a surname. List all the leaders of our state, and you will be convinced that the structure of the surname plays a huge role in the political career of its owner.
The question is, why do Russian voters prefer “high-ranking” surnames on the 1st and, less often, on the 3rd syllable, if the average surname is with an accent on the 2nd syllable? Political strategists argue that if a Western voter argues according to the logic of “choose someone who is the same as me”, then the eastern (including Russian) voter trusts more the one who is “cooler” than him, or rather, the one who makes that impression.
As already mentioned, the surname with an emphasis on the last syllable suggests that its bearer likes to shock others. Therefore, a politician with such a surname should not put forward a too radical program, as did, for example, the leader of the RNU A. Barkashov, and before him – General A. Makashov, who received only 3.74% in the 1991 elections. It is better for a politician with such a surname to profess conservative moderate views.
On the contrary, a politician with a “static” surname (Medvedev, Zyuganov, Mironov) does not interfere with adding sharpness to his program, and decisiveness to his behavior. Alas, the election results show that a “static” surname leaves almost no chance of success, which can be easily seen by looking at the results of local or national elections.
People with a surname in the third syllable also cannot boast of success in the presidential election. Nevertheless, they are preferred in the elections to local authorities, since the people who will solve mainly economic problems are required to be balanced, not the ability to fight political opponents.
It turns out that the surname has a fatal meaning, and the voter is unable to assess the real merits of the candidate? In the case when a voter at least reads election articles, the influence of the surname on the subconscious is partially neutralized. Alas, most voters only read the poster at the polling station – five minutes before the ballot is dropped into the ballot box. Their opinion about the candidate consists of three components: photos, scanty lines of biography and surname, respectively, a third of success depends on the surname! That is why the candidate’s surname is a powerful factor of manipulation, and it will be so as long as the voter votes in our country not with his mind, but with his “heart”.
