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|  |
| Author | Roy Feinson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Onomastics, psychoacoustics, baby names |
| Publisher | Overlook Duckworth (US); Duckworth & Co (UK) |
Publication date | 2004 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 512 |
| ISBN | 978-1-58567-594-4 |
The Secret Universe of Names: The Dynamic Interplay of Names and Destiny is a 2004 non-fiction book by South African-born author Roy Feinson, published by Overlook Duckworth in the United States and Duckworth & Co in the United Kingdom. The book examines the psychoacoustic and phonosemantic properties of personal names, arguing that the sounds embedded in names produce measurable effects on human behavior, self-image, and social perception. The book includes a whimsical personality analysis of thousands of the most popular names. The author was assisted by KB Imle.
Background
editThe book draws on Feinson's broader research into the evolutionary underpinnings of human behavior, a theme he also explored in his earlier works The Animal in You and Animal Attraction (St. Martin's Press). Feinso spent years analyzing the phonetic and cultural dimensions of over 60,000 names before publishing this volume.
Content
editThe central premise of The Secret Universe of Names is that individual letters of the alphabet carry distinct emotional weight, rooted in evolutionary biology. Low-frequency sounds — such as those produced by a lion's roar or a gorilla's chest-beat — signal threat and power over long distances, while high-frequency sounds communicate intimacy or alarm. Feinson argues that these primal associations persist in human language and are activated subconsciously whenever a name is heard.
The book contains entries for more than 300 names, each accompanied by:
- An analysis of the phonetic qualities of the name's component letters
- A discussion of the personality traits the name tends to evoke in listeners
- Ratings for charisma, power, sex appeal, and wealth potential
- A biographical profile of a well-known personality who exemplifies the name's attributes
Reception
editThe Secret Universe of Names received a 3.84 out of 5 rating on Goodreads based on reader reviews.[1] Readers described the book as entertaining and useful for practical purposes such as selecting baby names or naming fictional characters. Some reviewers noted similarities to astrology in the book's approach, while others praised its accuracy and recommended it to expectant parents. [2]
Editions
edit| Year | Publisher | Country | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Overlook Duckworth | United States | 978-1-58567-594-4 |
| 2004 | Duckworth & Co | United Kingdom | 978-0-7156-3337-3 |
About the author
editRoy Feinson is a South African-born author, software engineer, and artist. He holds a degree in photographic science and visual communication and is credited with patenting one of the earliest predictive text systems for mobile phones. He is recognized as a pioneer of impressionist mosaics, a photographic art form he created which led to commissions including 38 large-scale works for Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration and a featured commission for the Grammy Awards' 50th anniversary in 2008. He has appeared on CNN and hundreds of international radio programs. The Secret Universe of Names is his third book. His other works include The Animal in You (an alternate selection of the Book of the Month Club) and Animal Attraction (St. Martin's Press).[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "The Secret Universe of Names". Goodreads. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
- ↑ "About Roy Feinson". RoyFeinson.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
- ↑ "About Roy Feinson". RoyFeinson.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
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