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Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality
The Washington Times ^ | January 29, 2009

Posted on 01/28/2009 8:35:43 PM PST by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: name; names; surname; surnames
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1 posted on 01/28/2009 8:35:43 PM PST by Steelfish
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To: Steelfish
Barak is pretty unusual in my neck of the woods.
2 posted on 01/28/2009 8:37:31 PM PST by madinmadtown (BO stinks..)
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To: Steelfish

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


3 posted on 01/28/2009 8:38:09 PM PST by keepitreal (Obama brings change: an international crisis (terrorism) within 6 months)
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To: Steelfish

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


4 posted on 01/28/2009 8:38:26 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (I wish it was 20 January 2013. I've had enough of this crap already.)
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To: Steelfish
Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality

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

Wth?

5 posted on 01/28/2009 8:38:41 PM PST by rabscuttle385 ("If this be treason, then make the most of it!" —Patrick Henry)
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To: Steelfish

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).


6 posted on 01/28/2009 8:38:54 PM PST by bpjam (GOP is 3 - 0 in elections after Nov 4th. You Can Smell the Rally !!!)
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To: keepitreal

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


7 posted on 01/28/2009 8:39:17 PM PST by rdl6989
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To: Steelfish

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


8 posted on 01/28/2009 8:39:23 PM PST by yankeedame ("Oh, I can take it but I'd much rather dish it out.")
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To: rdl6989

Perhaps not.


9 posted on 01/28/2009 8:40:30 PM PST by keepitreal (Obama brings change: an international crisis (terrorism) within 6 months)
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To: 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

I thought a surname was a last name.

10 posted on 01/28/2009 8:41:20 PM PST by krb (Obama is a miserable failure.)
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To: rdl6989
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).
11 posted on 01/28/2009 8:42:02 PM PST by keepitreal (Obama brings change: an international crisis (terrorism) within 6 months)
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To: bpjam
And naming your child Shaniqua can’t possibly help get her into Yale.

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

12 posted on 01/28/2009 8:43:09 PM PST by Last Dakotan
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To: Steelfish

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


13 posted on 01/28/2009 8:43:22 PM PST by Lokibob (When handed lemons...Refuse to sign for them. Life's lemons can't be delivered without a signature.)
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To: Last Dakotan

sadly, you are right.

But my line is funnier...


14 posted on 01/28/2009 8:43:49 PM PST by bpjam (GOP is 3 - 0 in elections after Nov 4th. You Can Smell the Rally !!!)
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To: rabscuttle385

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


15 posted on 01/28/2009 8:45:03 PM PST by Last Dakotan
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To: Steelfish

Ran across a list of BAD baby names:

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


16 posted on 01/28/2009 8:45:20 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (Uuuuuuuum, uh, uh...............aaannnnnnd....................................................um.)
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To: Steelfish

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.


17 posted on 01/28/2009 8:46:13 PM PST by PAR35
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To: Steelfish

... then explain MICHAEL Jackson. :)


18 posted on 01/28/2009 8:46:36 PM PST by VRWC For Truth (Throw the bums out who vote yes on the bail out)
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To: keepitreal

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


19 posted on 01/28/2009 8:53:13 PM PST by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
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To: Steelfish

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


20 posted on 01/28/2009 8:55:04 PM PST by RobinOfKingston (Democrats, the party of evil. Republicans, the party of stupid.)
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