Namism facts for kids

Namism is a type of prejudice based on beliefs that all people with the same name share the same traits.

Namists think that one’s name determinses his or her behavior and capacities. They also favor the idea that name differences produce an inherent superiority or inferiority of a particular person due to that person’s name. Namists use a personal proper name as a pejorative to stereotype, intimidate, ridicule, silence, or otherwise control another person.

One of the most srtiking examples of namism is the 'Karen' phenomenon. Since 2017, Karens all over the United States and beyond have been mistreated because of their name which became a general slang term for any narcissist, annoying, and rude person, usually a middle-aged white woman with three kids.