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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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To: keepitreal

Looks like somebody smacked some sense into the headline writer since your post — maybe somebody reading FR?


61 posted on 01/29/2009 7:29:12 AM PST by jiggyboy (Ten per cent of poll respondents are either lying or insane)
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To: madinmadtown
lol!

Is it the name or is the fault with the type of parents who give their children weird names?

62 posted on 01/29/2009 7:36:01 AM PST by apocalypto
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To: Paleo Conservative
What about “Antwan”?

Yep. I've always thought that a mother that mis-pronounces or mis-spells a relatively common name -- and has nobody to correct her -- will provide a less than optimal learning environment for young Anfernee.

"Combination" names of the non-redneck variety -- ShawnJay, etc., seem to be disproportionately represented in the smash-and-grab stories here on FR as well.

And to potential rebuttals I understand the difference between "every" and "many".

63 posted on 01/29/2009 7:36:41 AM PST by jiggyboy (Ten per cent of poll respondents are either lying or insane)
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To: Onelifetogive

How many inmates have the first and middle names of:
William Robert.AKA


64 posted on 01/29/2009 8:50:14 AM PST by gigster
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To: Steelfish
If you check out the link the Times had changed the name of this article.

Odd first names linked to criminality

I guess they finally figured out just what a surname was.

65 posted on 01/29/2009 8:53:19 AM PST by Between the Lines (I am very cognizant of my fallibility, sinfulness, and other limitations.)
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To: Lokibob
I have long thought that the initials HH brought great fame and fortune.

"Well now, heh heh, that's kinda nice to know!"


66 posted on 01/29/2009 8:59:02 AM PST by COBOL2Java (Obamanation: an imploding administration headed by a clueless schmuck, with McCain as his Kowakian)
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To: Lokibob

Harlod Hecuba


67 posted on 01/29/2009 9:58:24 AM PST by Eagle Eye (Libs- If you don't have to play the rules then neither do we...THINK ABOUT IT!)
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To: Steelfish

I have always wondered if Anfernee Hardaway (NBA Player) should have been named Anthony Hardaway, but his name was mis-pronounced and subsequently mis-spelled on his birth certificate.


68 posted on 01/29/2009 10:01:42 AM PST by Hat-Trick (Do you trust a government that cannot trust you with guns?)
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To: PAR35

It this part of the country, Dwayne and Darrel (and all their other spellings) are very popular middle names for criminals in training.


69 posted on 01/31/2009 4:56:02 AM PST by TN4Liberty (The first amendment doesn't end with "...as long as nobody is offended.")
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To: Steelfish
Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality

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.

Does the writer know that a "surname" is not the same thing as a "first name"? Also, the criminality probably has not been controlled for ethnic factors. Is there a higher than average number of boys given weird name variations and made-up names among a segment of society that is also more likely to be involved in criminal activity? Names, such as those below, probably aren't found too often in upper middle class areas:
BOYS NAMES: Amber, Canard, Chalance, Cigarette, Cook, Dang, De-Ante, De-rice, De-arse, Delante, Dell, Devoid, Diante, Farad, Ferric, FoFo, Lathe, Marshantose, Natron, Raytheon, Romain, Rondel, T’Corian, Sheik, Talon, Tauraus, Tobacco, Tron, and Wait

GIRLS NAMES: Arthurine, Baileen, Brie, Butterfly, Cambria, Chanel, Choclate, Ciera, Deja, Destiny, Hosanna, Java, Kia, Latrina, Lavoria, Milka, Monay, Necia, Necie, Ocolor, Phalopia, Phyla, Raven, Regime, Tandy, Tea, TyLenol, Unique, Yelling, and Yo-Yo

70 posted on 01/31/2009 5:09:13 AM PST by aruanan
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To: Steelfish

I bet a study of boys with names that are derivatives of Mohammed shows a greater likelihood of their being involved in terrorist activities. That doesn’t, of course, have anything to do with the name but with the culture in which that name is popular.


71 posted on 01/31/2009 5:34:48 AM PST by aruanan
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To: bpjam

But having a name like Chamique doesn't hurt your chances getting into Tennessee.

72 posted on 01/31/2009 5:39:21 AM PST by rabidralph (Obama is the McNabb of politics.)
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To: bpjam

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

You forgot the sarcasm tag.


73 posted on 01/31/2009 7:10:55 AM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: 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).”

Did you go to the link?


74 posted on 01/31/2009 7:25:31 AM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: giotto

“Amazing. This is a Washington Times writer. It took me all of 15 seconds to verify that surname means family name. And that was for two different references—Wikipedia and Dictionary.com.”

Did you look at the title at the link?


75 posted on 01/31/2009 7:30:10 AM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: antisocial

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

You forgot the sarcasm tag.


I have an actual saracasm key on my keyboard but I broke it sometime during the last campaign from overuse. (sarcasm implied...)


76 posted on 02/04/2009 11:03:04 AM PST by bpjam (GOP is 3 - 0 in elections after Nov 4th. You Can Smell the Rally !!!)
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