Mafia isn't completely a strategy game. It's a Psychological game as well. You're convincing the other person's conscious that you're innocent beyond a doubt and that you are an important member of the game, whether you are or not.
But what about this whole "Select A Name" process? Sure, it's used for jokes and silly memes. "An Arrow To The Knee has moved into town!". But is it really that important? In short, yes.
Your name is what other people in the game identify you as. Depending on your actions, that name gains a meaning and a reputation. Ever use the same name twice in a row? Do you find that other people recognize and Trust/Distrust you more because of your past actions? Your name can be a blessing and a curse and will build your character's reputation all throughout your Mafia career. That is, if you choose to use the same one.
What Is The Power Of The Name?
Your name is the first step to victory or death in Mafia. Have you ever seen the Serial Killer/Mafioso/Godfather target someone with a comedy driven name and leave a death note insulting and/or laughing at their name? It's a bit disappointing when that said person's role was Investigator or even the Sheriff.
Name association is also a factor you need to take into account. If someone picks the name "Barack Obama" in game, then other players will associate the name with the person, and thus expect you to act the same as such. When other see that your behavior doesn't match the identity you've chosen, you'll find that you'll be distrusted more than once. However, if you keep a similar profile to the identity, you'll find that others are more trusting towards you because of their association. You're also more likely to get targeted by anyone.
Why Your Color And Name Location Is Important
Have you ever wondered where the whole "Red is always Mafia" meme started? Well, lets first take it to a simple level. If you're a driver, have you ever wondered why the color Red is applied to things that want to you stop? Like Traffic Lights, Stop Signs, and Yeild Signs? Red in your mind represents DANGER and makes you stop and think about your situation before you proceed.
Why do you think Red represents Danger? Your bodily fluids, specifically your blood, is red of course! When you think blood, you should think pain. You won't bleed unless pain is inflicted upon you and we've all bled at some point in our lives. We recognized that it hurts and we've learned not to repeat the same action that caused it. Also, in your dreams the color Red usually appears only when bad actions are about to happen or death is around your immediate area. It's also the primary color that we use for "warning".
How does this relate to Mafia? Well the color red is associated with Danger, you may not consciously think it, but sub consciously your mind it telling you that Red isn't to be taken lightly. So subconsciously, everyone is thinking Red is an Evil role. It's just that someone voiced that feeling and that's how the meme "Red is ALWAYS Mafia" started.
Now why does this apply to you if you're not the color Red? Mostly because your color affects how people feel towards you. For example, the color black is associated with Power and Authority. In Mafia we have Dark Grey, which is technically a light shade of black. Ever notice how Black is usually alive towards the end of the game? Well it's because you become intimidated by the color, you feel that they have Power and it would not be smart to disturb them.
Color can turn you off and on. An example of this is that the human eye is attracted mostly to the four colors (Green, Yellow, Red, And Blue). You find that the colors are easier to look at and make you feel good. Yellow is associated to be cheerful, Green is associated to be calm, and Blue is associated to be peaceful. (You'll find that people will choose Blue more than they choose Red, as Blue acts as a polar opposite psychologically as Red. You feel safer with the color Blue than you do with the "Danger" color, Red.)
Those four colors are the most likely to be targeted by any role. Because psychologically you're like a bug to a light, you can't help it, and neither can I.
(More useful facts about your color here)
https://www.factmonster.com/spot/colors1.html
Your Name's Location
Why does it matter?
In the terms of Photography and Filming (Stick with me here!) we have a thing called "The Rule of Thirds". Which separates the screen into, you guessed it, thirds. The human eye is attracted in a pattern from the top left of the screen to the bottom right in that order. That's how everyone views photos and such with ease.
(Here's a great example)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
How does it affect you? Well every color has a location on the Mafia Interface. And names in the UPPER THIRD of the list are more susceptible to being targeted than those in the lower third. This is because, well, humans are lazy. Our minds don't want to do more work than we have to and they'll pick the easiest and most comfortable targets they can find.
So if you find yourself in the upper-third of the Mafia Roles list, expect to be Investigated/Attacked/Healed/Converted/Anything.
This is however, only applying to the start of the game (Day 1 - 3) as after the game gets moving, it's an entirely different psychological game.
Naming Your Character Wisely
Ever notice how certain names get picked off first? Short names like "Doc/Jeff/Ask/I" and other small names as such? Like I said earlier, people are lazy. If reading a name takes less time, we're more likely to target that person because we don't want to work. We're playing a game after all, aren't we?!
To avoid getting targeted, regardless of your location or color, you have to choose the correct combination of words and phrases.
Vocabulary Is Your Friend
Using large words like "Inquisition/Devastation/Termination/Blizzard/Omnibus" and other words can deter other players from even looking at your name. Do you feel more comfortable reading "Antidisestablishmentarianism" or the word "Dog"? Clearly the word Dog takes less work and effort. It doesn't make you think too hard.
Speaking of thinking too hard, using lesser known words to your advantage is key. If you use a lesser known word like "Inquisition", then people will have to think about the meaning of the word, eventually giving up and moving onto another target.
Composition
With no scientific data to back it up, I simply find that using two words instead of one as a name to be more deterring. "Dr Reynols" seems longer and more effort taking than "Reynols". So I personally, I suggest adding a pre-fix title. I personally use "Inquisitor Ravenor" which mostly works for me.
Does It Work?
In my experience and those of others, your name can add suspicion and even power to your identity. Your name is a buff towards victory or defeat and isn't to be taken lightly. I can't tell you how many times I've been healed because "You had a cool name" or "You just seemed innocent", just because of my Color/Location/Name.
Try it yourself and I can almost guarantee you'll find yourself alive more often. Or, you can even use it so that you'll be targeted more often. Being a Jester/Veteran/Bodyguard can be much, much easier.
And above all else, avoid offensive and meme-based names. This can anger or provoke other players. Also, your actions in-game can decide your fate much faster than your name. So be careful out there and play it safe!
I hope this helps some of you on your adventures and I hope to see you in-game!