The background for this paper is Everett M. Rogers' model of the characteristics of the innovation as an influence on its diffusion process, and the paper will investigate the possibilities to apply that model to a first name context. The examples used in the paper have been taken from the Swedish town of Skellefteå and its surroundings in northern Sweden, from the beginning of the 18th to the end of the 19th century. The point of departure is the diffusion of new first names within this region and I am discussing the characteristics of these new names as a factor for their diffusion. The characteristics that are dealt with in the paper is the new first name´s relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trial ability and observability. The conclusion indicates that it is indeed possible to use Rogers' model of the characteristics of innovation in a first name context, even though there are many questions remaning to be answered.