Teachers Share Student Names That Correlate With Bad Behavior

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Sep 20, 2023 9:00 AM EDT

I still remember the names of the problem children from my elementary school. There was this kid named Parker who, in the middle of my 3rd-grade teacher talking about math, asked her if there was a guy inside of mascot costumes. I think he knew there was indeed some guy or lady inside of all mascot costumes, but he just wanted the attention, and boy, did he get it. 

Two girls named Abby were in my second-grade class; one was lovely, and the other was less than pleasant. To differentiate the two, my dad called the mean one "Abby Normal," which, in hindsight, was a fantastic joke. Even today, I cannot hear the name Abby without thinking about good old Abby Normal. 

Names don't necessarily define us, but if you meet enough people with the same name, you might see some patterns emerge. Teachers took to Reddit to share the associations they have with specific names, and they make a lot of sense. 

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  • 01
    Yellow - Are there any first names that you associate with certain behaviors because of teaching? For example, Liam is a big one for me. I have taught so many bad Liams. 3 years in a row, my toughest student was a Liam. Just mean, disrespectful and loud. Another disruptive one is Ryan. I've taught a lot of Ryans who are popular but don't do anything in class. For girls, it's Taylor. Many female Taylors, in my experience, like to fight. Olivias are typically popular and Brooklyn's cry a lot/have
    via u/Hopeful__Historian
  • 02
    Font - r/Teachers u/Hopeful_Historian. 1d Are there any first names that you associate with certain behaviors because of teaching?
    via u/Hopeful__Historian
  • 03
    Font - For example, Liam is a big one for me. I have taught so many bad Liams. 3 years in a row, my toughest student was a Liam. Just mean, disrespectful and loud. Another disruptive one is Ryan. I've taught a lot of Ryans who are popular but don't do anything in class. For girls, it's Taylor. Many female Taylors, in my experience, like to fight. Olivias are typically popular and Brooklyn's cry a lot/have a lot of drama.
    via u/Hopeful__Historian
  • 04
    Smile - These are clearly generalizations.. and I don't make assumptions about kids I meet based off these experiences. I just happen to teach a lot of duplicate names and I'm noticing trends
    via u/Hopeful__Historian
  • 05
    Font - BigOleKoala · 1d ● 3/4 of the Angels that I've taught have not been angels. ... Reply 396
    via u/BigOleKoala
  • 06
    Font - nobodys_narwhal 1d Can confirm that Messiahs also have difficulties living up to their name. ↑ 70
    via u/nobodys_narwhal
  • 07
    Rectangle - rChewbacca. 1d H.S. AP Science Even worse.. Nevaeh (Heaven spelled in reverse)... Crazy popular with 15 year old moms about 15 years ago. ... 63
    via u/rChewbacca
  • 08
    Font - Electrical_Worker_88 · 1d It is really hard to name your own kids when you are a teacher. Reply 789
    via u/Electrical_Worker_88
  • 09
    Font - Hopeful_Historian OP • 1d My aunt, who's a teacher, used to tell me that all the time when she was pregnant with her twins. Every name id suggest, she'd be like "nope, I taught a sh. in 2004." Funny enough... her son (my cousin's) name is actually Liam 4 419 + ...
    via u/Hopeful__Historian
  • 10
    Font - CollegeWarm24 • 1d 5th grade | USA I've never had a Damian who didn't make me question my career choices. Reply 234 ↓
    via u/CollegeWarm24
  • 11
    Font - Holy ForkingBrit. 1d I had a Damian my first year teaching. The first week of school he put tape over his own mouth and when another teacher asked him, "Who put tape on your mouth," he told them / had done it. The principal came to my classroom in the middle of class and YELLED IN MY FACE telling me, "WE DON'T TAPE KIDS MOUTHS SHUT HERE!!!!"
    via u/HolyForkingBrit
  • 12
    Font - I had no fu 1 clue what he was talking about. The kid had done it to himself right before he left my room and I didn't even see any tape at all. He refused to tell the truth and it was my word against his. Until his parent came up there an hour later. He finally broke and told the truth. My career almost ended before it began over a kid lying. My principal never apologized for falsely accusing me or screaming in my face. The kid never apologized either. F k Damians. Not a fan. 166
    via u/HolyForkingBrit
  • 13
    Font - figflute • 1d Any -Aden/-Ayden name (Caden, Jaden, Hayden, Braden). They're always a pain in the a Reply 455 ...
    via u/figflute
  • 14
    Font - SnooRabbits2040 • 1d I have an absolutely lovely Hayden. I also have an Aiden and a Cayden that may be turfed out the window before this week is over. No jury would convict me. ... 142
    via u/SnooRabbits2040
  • 15
    Font - ebeth_the_mighty. 1d My students are almost all South Asian. I am not. I would never name a kid Gurshaan anyway...but I rarely meet a Gurshaan who is hardworking and polite. ... Reply 183
    via u/ebeth_the_mighty
  • 16
    Facial expression - ashatherookie • 1d Student | Texas I'm south asian and any names ending with "-aan" are either amazing or horrible, no in between Imao 450 ...
    via u/ashatherookie
  • 17
    Human body - Pemburuh Itu . 1d I have never met a Xavier that could sit still. Reply ... 242
    via u/Pemburuh_Itu
  • 18
    Font - Unlucky_Strawberry41 • 1d Every single Patience I've ever taught was one that tested mine...on a daily basis. ... Reply 219
    via u/Unlucky_Strawberry41
  • 19
    Font - scilynn • 1d If I can't read it, it's wrong. I've never had a Connor or an Aiden (any derivative) who hasn't been absolutely obnoxious. Scarlett's I've had have been sweet and hardworking. Nevaehs are demons. That goes for most virtue names - Hope, Faith, Serenity - all totally opposite from their namesakes. Mateos are sweet and silly. I've had 4 and they've all been some of my favorite students. Maybe not the best students, but sweet as can be. Reply 199
    via u/scilynn
  • 20
    Font - looansym 1d ● With the exception of one, any student I've had who was named "Christian" was completely obnoxious and not someone you want in class. Reply 4 96 + ...
    via u/looansym
  • 21
    Font - Upstairs_TipToe • 1d All Alex, Alexa, Alexis, Alec, Alixander variations end up cheating/ plagiarizing. It is a strange phenomenon....but it holds true. They just think they are too great to get caught, I guess ... Reply 76
    via u/Upstairs_TipToe
  • 22
    Rectangle - Dobbys Other_Sock • 1d Noah, every single one has been a trouble maker. Same with Levi. And any of the Aidan names. Comparatively all the Emily's I've had were great. Reply 72 ↓ ...
    via u/Dobbys_Other_Sock

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