You really do look like your name

Choosing a name for a child is often a headache for parents, but new research shows that picking well could be more crucial than previously thought.

Academics have found that your first name actually changes the way you look, a phenomenon dubbed "The Dorian Gray" effect, after Oscar Wilde's eponymous hero.

For example, someone called Bob is expected by society to have a rounder, more jovial face than a man called Tim. That expectation eventually leads Bobs to become more gregarious and jolly, while Tims may appear more pinched and reserved.

Likewise, Winstons are perceived as fairly glum, while Marys are considered to be moral, both traits which may alter countenance and, over time, change face shape.

"Research has shown there are cultural stereotypes attached to names, including how someone should look," said lead author Yonat Zwebner, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

"We believe these stereotypes can, over time, affect people's facial appearance."