Is your name Steve? Sofia? Peter? Victoria?

Well, according to a new study, when picking a screen name for online dating you should probably keep your name out of it.

The , published in the journal Evidence Based Medicine, says that choosing a screen name with a letter starting in the top half of the alphabet is as important as uploading a flattering photo or crafting an attractive introductory headline.

The study was designed to discover what approaches to digital courtship are the most effective. In particular, researchers focused on how online love seekers convert digital interaction into a face-to-face meeting.

The findings were synthesized from 86 studies in the fields of psychology and sociology, as well as computer, behavioural and neurocognitive sciences.

So, why are researchers telling Steve to keep his name out of his dating handle?

Well, their results show that there is a correlation between society's high achievers -- people with high levels of education and income -- and names that are higher up in the alphabet.

Additionally, search engines also sort names alphabetically.

Researchers said names with negative connotations, such as "little" or "bug," should be avoided. Instead, daters should pick screen names that are playful -- they suggest "Fun2bwith" is "universally attractive."

The study also said that an attractive photo is essential to catching the eye of would-be daters.

The researchers suggest that a photo where the person is showing a "genuine" smile -- "one that crinkles up your eyes" -- and a slight tilt of the head go a long way to attracting a potential date.

Women wearing red clothing in their pictures can also spark interest, "leading to significantly more contacts," the paper said.

The researchers also say that daters shouldn't just stick to selfies. They found that group photos 鈥� particularly when the subject is in the middle of action and seen to be having a good time 鈥� are desirable.

Besides physical attractiveness, the study suggests that the content of an online dating profile is also important.

In terms of introductory headline message, the researchers said that users should avoid complex language." They say that "people are naturally drawn to words that are easy to remember and pronounce," and simplicity increases likability. But, they say, some well-placed wit can be quite effective.

"If you can get the potential date to stop and think about your headline message, increasing the exposure time to the primary photo, this will increase their liking," said the authors said.

The study also outlined some other tips for digital daters:

  • A 70:30 ratio between describing who you are, and what you鈥檙e looking for is ideal.
  • Likeability is more attractive than academic achievement.
  • Men are drawn to women who like physical fitness; women find bravery and risk-taking more enticing than kindness and altruism in men.
  • When crafting a profile, show, don鈥檛 tell. Using witty humour is more effective than listing 鈥渁 sense of humour鈥� as a trait.
  • Personalize email correspondence.
  • Consider using poetry, preferably something that rhymes with a potential date's introductory headline.
  • Respond to messages promptly -- eagerness is not a turn-off