Can your name tell you more about your personality?

While you may not always judge a book by its cover, you can potentially uncover your story based on your name.

Numerology posits that every number possesses properties that give it a unique vibration. This vibration helps us contextualise the behaviour and personality of an individual associated with that number and, hence, predict who they will be compatible with, their career prospects, and so on.

The concept of numerology was founded by Greek philosopher Pythagoras. His belief that everything in the world can be explained or measured through numbers birthed our current faith in their mystical nature. Each number represents a trait, such as intellect, spontaneity, practicality, or empathy.

Many numerology systems exist, allowing a person to decipher a part of their personality in the form of numbers. For example, a life path number is based on adding up the digits that make up the date of birth, and tells us about our unique personality traits and, consequently, what our life path is.

It isn’t rooted in science, but does that matter?

While the lack of a scientific basis for such claims makes this entire belief system murky at best, when we experience ups and downs in daily life, the hope of having a good day because our horoscope prediction says so might help some of us step out the door. For instance, spotting a lucky number during our commute might give some of us a sense of safety.

A ResearchGate thesis suggested that employee selection based on personality assessments and psychometric tests (colloquially known as “HR rounds”) should include personality traits based on birth numbers to evaluate competencies and cultural fit. The study correlated leadership styles and employee capabilities to birth numbers, which are calculated by adding the date and month of a person’s birth. The practicality of such a system in India would likely not pass muster in most corporate settings.

The other side of this is that we may rely on “cracking the meaning of these numbers” so much that we might fall into the trap of the Barnum Effect. This is a cognitive bias that any general prediction or astrological explanation has some personal relevance to their lives, no matter how vague the statement might be.

Numerology has many other systems, and we will explore one of them: the soul urge number, which is based on our birth name.

What’s in a name? 

The soul urge number, as the name suggests, helps you find out what your soul’s primal urges and motivations are. While your life path number is based on your date of birth, the soul urge number is related to your birth name.

According to Kabalarian philosophy, when we gain insight into our names and their influence, we might be able to achieve our goals.

Yet, the belief in the correlations between our names and our lives is alive, and perhaps that’s why many celebrities choose to add extra letters to their names. Whether that leads to more hits at the box office or not, it’s about the sense of control that makes this belief popular.

Calculating your soul urge number

Follow these steps to arrive at your soul urge number, which is based on your full birth name:

• Write your full birth name, including a middle name, if any.

• Identify vowels in your name.

• Assign the given numerical value to each vowel: A=1, E=5, I=9, O=6, U=3

• Add the numerical values.

• Keep adding till the number you arrive at is a single digit.

That single digit is your soul urge number. If the number adds up to 11, 22, or 33, do not add them up further since they are master numbers that multiply the vibration by virtue of being palindromic numbers.

What does your soul urge number say about you

Though numerology and science have yet to intersect, tying some of our beliefs to a tangible number can be comforting. It’s easier to say, “I am a workaholic because my soul urge number is 1,” rather than admit that hustle culture has gotten the better of them, right?

Numerologists, based on your soul urge number, will encourage you to dig deep and identify your motivations that may get buried in the chaos of the uncertainties of daily life. Here’s what these numbers supposedly represent:

Soul Urge Number 1: The one who leads

Your basic desires and motivations lie in being independent. You want to lead, and don’t mind being the one who always initiates. You crave control over every aspect of your life, down to the most minute details. When life happens and a sense of control slips away, you feel impatient, but it doesn’t stop you from regaining your flow.

Soul Urge Number 2: The one who makes peace

For those with 2 as their soul urge number, the core desire relates to spreading empathy. You want everyone to feel comfortable, and if that means making tough decisions, like giving space to your partner even if you don’t want to, you go with it. Preserving your patience and tenderness matters the most to you.

Soul Urge Number 3:  The expressive one

Being given the chance to be creative and the space to voice your thoughts is what drives your soul. If your soul urge number is 3, you likely don’t  want to grow in isolation. Your partnerships at work and relationships with friends and family energise you. Any artistic pursuit you take up, whether professionally, as a side hustle, or even a hobby, will give you purpose.

Soul Urge Number 4:  The craver of stability

Establishing certainty in your life is what you need to feel productive and happy. Most life decisions taken by those with 4 as their soul urge number are rooted in securing a part of their life, whether it’s trying to find a relationship with “end-game” potential or identifying a professional skillset that they see themselves sticking to for a long time. Adapting to even minor disruptions to your routine is not easy for you, but planning the coming week to the precise second seems like a cakewalk.

Soul Urge Number 5: The adventurer

An antithesis to those with 4 as their soul urge number, the adventurers want anything but a routine. New experiences keep you going, and your easygoing personality allows you to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and strangers. Your innermost desires will likely be connected with exploring and identifying the next “new rush”.

Soul Urge Number 6: The compassionate one

You feel content when those around you are taken care of. You love helping others, and the strength of the community you are a part of is essential to you. If 6 is your soul urge number, you will prioritise the well-being of others over yours.

Soul Urge Number 7: The analytical one

Those with 7 as their soul urge number are the happiest when they are in a state of introspection. You tend to go down a rabbit hole of research, whether it’s about trying to find the origin of a word you came across in a video game about Nordic gods or it’s in relation to finding out what that one wholesome restaurant steeped in history is all about. Reflecting on what you read about and drawing connections is what keeps your mind alive.

Soul Urge Number 8: The ambitious powerhouse

Number 8s are always on the go, and their resourcefulness and drive inspire those around them, further encouraging them to keep going. If your soul urge number is 8, you thrive when you have set goals that help you map out what you need to do next. 

Soul Urge Number 9: The selfless one

For those with 9 as their soul urge number, an inherent sense of justice influences all their decisions. Wanting to make a more significant impact on the world means being tuned into world events, and this self-awareness seeps into other areas of life. Philanthropy comes naturally to you, and you feel the happiest when you have helped someone in need.

Soul Urge Number 11: The intuitive one

Those with 11 as their soul urge number combine the numbers associated with sensitivity, empathy, and consideration. Their need to empower others pushes them to ignore practical and logistical obstacles and continue on an almost spiritual path.

Soul Urge Number 22: Master Builder

“Go big or go home” seems to be the guiding principle for those with 22 as their soul urge number. You possess the best of all the other numbers, so you are unstoppable when you put your mind to something. 

Soul Urge Number 33: Master Teacher

Give someone with 33 as their soul urge number a jumble of negative thoughts, and they will knit them into a ball of positive emotions. For them, seeing the best in others and the silver lining in situations is their main priority.

Also Read: 12 zodiac signs, dates and personalities explained

Also Read: Debunking Common Myths About Numerology Numbers

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