Names in Power: How Names Shape Leadership in America

First impressions in hiring often start with a name on a resume — and in American corporate leadership, certain first names appear far more often than others at the top of the org chart.

We analyzed 3,046 LinkedIn profiles of U.S. professionals in senior roles to see which names most frequently correlate with executive titles — and how gender representation breaks down from CEO to manager level.

The findings reflect historical hiring patterns more than destiny: John, Michael, and David dominate the leaderboard, while women hold just over one-third of the leadership profiles in the sample. Here is what the data shows, what it means for diversity in the pipeline, and how to position yourself for leadership regardless of what is on your birth certificate.

What did the names-in-power study analyze?

We collected and analyzed 3,046 LinkedIn profiles from the U.S., focusing on individuals in leadership roles. By examining the data in detail, we identified patterns in names commonly associated with executive and presidential positions within companies.

Our methodology involved reviewing profiles with titles such as “CEO,” “COO,” “CTO,” “CFO,” “President,” “Vice President,” “Director,” and “Manager.” We also categorized the results by gender to evaluate disparities in leadership representation.

What were the key findings on names and leadership?

• In the United States, John is the most common name in senior business leadership, followed by Michael and David
• Only 36% of women hold positions of corporate leadership in comparison to 64% of men
• Jennifer was revealed as the top-ranking name among women in leadership positions and was the only female name in America's overall top 10 most successful names

Why is John the most common leadership name in America?

In American corporate leadership, certain names stand out, reflecting a clear trend of male dominance at the highest levels of success.

Our study reveals the most common names in senior leadership positions — if yours is on the list, it reflects demographic patterns in who has historically reached the C-suite, not a hiring advantage tied to the name itself.

John is the most common name among CEOs and senior leadership positions overall in America, followed by Michael, David, Robert, and Mark.

However, this data highlights another striking trend: all but one name on the overall top-10 list belongs to a man. That emphasizes the stark reality that gender representation at the highest levels of corporate success still remains significantly unbalanced.

The dominance of male names in this list is not a coincidence but a reminder of the systemic barriers that women face in attaining senior leadership positions in the corporate world — and the ongoing need to foster greater inclusion and diversity in corporate hiring practices.

What share of leadership roles are held by women?

Our research revealed that overall, only one-third (36%) of the profiles analyzed are women. A staggering 64% of those in positions of power in America are men. This once again underlines the gender representation imbalance of corporate leadership.

While it is clear that more progress needs to be made, it is essential to recognize the women who are breaking these barriers and paving the way for greater equality in corporate leadership. Below we highlight the names of the most successful women in the corporate world.

When it comes to female leadership in America, one name stands out among the rest: Jennifer. With 28 overall appearances, Jennifer takes the top spot as the most common name among women in executive roles and even ranks sixth overall among all leaders, regardless of gender.

Following closely behind are Lisa, Mary, and Karen, who all share second place with 14 appearances each. Julie secures third place with 11 appearances. Rounding off the top five are Michelle, Kimberly, and Emily.

Which names appear most in each leadership title?

Our analysis also uncovered which names were the most prevalent in each position from CEO to manager.

• CEO: John is the most common name
• CFO: Michael leads the financial function
• COO: John stands out in operations
• CTO: John appears again, this time in technology
• President: Michael is the most common for this position
• Director: Kim represents a notable exception, standing out among female names
• Manager: David stands out among managers

It is no surprise that male names continue to dominate each leadership position, with John and Michael making frequent appearances at the top. This again highlights the underrepresentation of women in these positions of power in America.

However, there is one standout in this list: Kim. At the Director level, Kim takes the lead as the most common name, implying progress in breaking through these barriers. While there is still a long way to go toward gender balance in leadership, names like Kim making the leaderboard show that change is happening, one step at a time.

How should you prepare a resume for a leadership role?

If you are considering a career change or aiming for a leadership position, your application materials need to showcase leadership skills and measurable impact — not just tenure. The MakeResume builder makes it easy to create a polished resume, while our resume templates and resume examples provide structure for executive-level framing.

Updating your resume and cover letter frequently ensures you are always prepared when the right opportunity appears. The cover letter generator pulls key details from your resume and aligns them with the job description — saving time while keeping your narrative consistent.

Survey methodology

For our study on names and power, we selected and analyzed 3,046 LinkedIn profiles of professionals in America. We focused on key titles that indicate leadership positions, including CEO, COO, CTO, CFO, president, vice president, director, and manager. We classified the profiles by gender to assess female and male representation in these positions. This process allowed us to identify the most common names in positions of power and analyze gender disparities, shedding light on the power dynamics in American companies.

Data recorded: February 2025

Frequently asked questions

Does your name affect your chances of becoming a CEO?

Our LinkedIn analysis shows that certain names — especially John, Michael, and David — appear far more often in senior U.S. leadership titles. That reflects who has historically reached those roles, not evidence that employers prefer specific names. Skills, track record, and network matter far more for individual candidates.

What is the most common female name in corporate leadership?

Jennifer appeared most often among women in executive roles in our sample, with 28 appearances. It was also the only female name in the overall top 10 most common leadership names in America.

How can women strengthen a leadership resume?

Lead with quantified outcomes, scope of responsibility, and cross-functional influence. Use our guide to Fortune 500 CEO characteristics for framing, and the AI resume builder to tighten executive summaries before you apply.