Income and material wealth are unquestionably the most important measures of class in our society. Money is our answer to the question, “How much is he worth?”

Money and income shape most interactions your child will have in her/his life. We all know the “Gold” treatment that businesses from airlines to retailers reserve for their moneyed customers. Income is a much more far-reaching factor than that, however. It can influence your perceived attractiveness and the way you are treated, even by people you hope would be impartial, like doctors .

“Naming up” is therefore a very natural and potentially very beneficial strategy to pursue. The right name can provide your child with an aura of affluence. Just a few things to consider:

First, the optimal effect occurs when the people immediately in charge of her welfare have a chance to learn the association of her name with wealth. It therefore does not make sense to over-reach when naming up – her teachers may never have interacted with the children of the ultra-rich, but they may have taught the children of the more affluent members of your community. For that reason, it may be more beneficial to name up just a notch or two, and name at the upper end of the middle class. Second, the tastes of the wealthy are fleeting, so make sure you follow the trend while it is still “hot” – for names, this is typically less than five or six years. Last, consider that wealth and fame sometimes sever the link to reality, particularly the new money. I highly discourage you from using “People” magazine to find out what the rich call their children. You will find there only a subsegment of the “rich and famous,” who give their children names like “Apple.” That may work for your child if you are Gwyneth Paltrow, but it may also be the source of mockery at school.