Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality

The Washington Times ^ | January 29, 2009

[Steelfish]

Study links unusual surnames to criminality

Jennifer Harper Thursday, January 29, 2009

Mama, stick with Michael. But Malcolm? Maybe not.

A man's first name can predict his criminal tendencies, according to research released Wednesday by economists who compared crime statistics and a roster of more than 15,000 first names to reveal a distinct "name-crime link" among American males.

The more unpopular or uncommon the name, the greater the chance the lad will end up in jail, said David E. Kalist and Daniel Y. Lee of Shippensburg University.

"Regardless of race, juveniles with unpopular names are more likely to engage in criminal activity," the study said.

It applied succinct values to the names - Michael, for example, was rated at 100, and the least likely name to be associated with juvenile delinquency. David was in the middle at 50, with Alec, Ernest, Ivan, Malcolm and Tyrell languishing with a 1-point rating.

[madinmadtown]

Barak is pretty unusual in my neck of the woods.

[keepitreal]

Um Ms. Harper might want to look up the definition of surname.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I wonder what kind of rating they gave the name Hussein.

[rabscuttle385]

Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality

The headline talks about surnames, or family names, while the article talks about first names.

Wth?

[bpjam]

On behalf of Rev. Wright, let me just say:

This is just a way for a scientist to say that crimes are committed mostly by black people.

(If it is true, too bad. And naming your child Shaniqua can’t possibly help get her into Yale).

[rdl6989]

Surname means the last name or “family” name. Perhaps the author didn’t understand that.

[yankeedame]

Dollars to donuts but I bet, somewhere down the road, this article us going to end up being considered “racist”. Call it a hunch.

[keepitreal]

Perhaps not.

[krb]

Study links unusual surnames to criminality
Jennifer Harper Thursday, January 29, 2009
Mama, stick with Michael. But Malcolm? Maybe not.
A man's first name can predict his criminal tendencies

I thought a surname was a last name.

[keepitreal]

And, I'm amazed that people who are paid to use words for a living don't understand their meanings (and can't spell either).

[Last Dakotan]

And naming your child Shaniqua can’t possibly help get her into Yale.

You're just dead wrong there - the truth is the opposite.

[Lokibob]

I have long thought that 6the initials HH brought great fame and fortune.
H. L. Hunt
Hugh Hefner
Howard Hughes
Hubert Humphrey
Harry Hudini (but I think that was a stage name)
Herbert Hoover

There are a lot more “HH’s” but I am drawing a blank at this minute.

.....Bob

[bpjam]

sadly, you are right.

But my line is funnier...

[Last Dakotan]

Wasn’t Surname Surname the dude who shot Bobby Kennedy?

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Ran across a list of BAD baby names:

http://www.slangcity.com/b_b_name.htm

[PAR35]

Everyone knows you need to look at the MIDDLE name. If it’s Wayne, call the cops. If the kid is John Wayne ___________, you don’t even need a trial.

[VRWC For Truth]

... then explain MICHAEL Jackson. :)

[tiki]

Not only that but most word processors have a built in thesaurus.

[RobinOfKingston]

That lad named Adolph Hitler and his sister, Aryan Nations don’t stand much of a chance.