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.

[Wings-n-Wind]

O-o--ooooo KK-k-kkkk....

Back to square one on names for the twins....
Hmmmmm... we were going with-- LASCIVIOUS...and OBLIVIOUS...

Apparently -- These simply WILL NOT do!

[RegulatorCountry]

There exists a frightening correlation between firearms discharging and the name “Plaxico.”

The name should be banned. It’s a public safety hazard.

[Canedawg]

Henry Hudson
Helen Hayes
Harry Harrison

and Horatio Hornblower, evun.

[mylife]

Harry Hiney?

[BenLurkin]

Like “John Wayne Gacy”?

[Steelfish]

Very discerning post! Krb

[EDINVA]

The column writer and headline writer are usually two different people in a big city newspaper.

[KoRn]

"Wth?"

That was my first thought. lol

[gigster]

Yep,my middle name is Wayne,but, I won’t tell you what my first name is.
Suffice to say, that it seems like there are thousands of dumb criminals with my first two names that are in the nations papers everyday.
But,I’m cool.
“Don’t tase me,bro!”

[This_far]

“Study Links Unusual Surnames To Criminality

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

Wth? “

Last name first, first name last... it’s on all of the forms, comes from the Latin ‘facto, ipso’.

[rabscuttle385]

...first names.

Otherwise known as given names.

[Onelifetogive]

Michael, for example, was rated at 100, and the least likely name to be associated with juvenile delinquency.

I have a cousin who is a wretched pile of steaming human debris....His name is Michael.

[This_far]

“...surnames.”

Otherwise knows as last names.

(I got it, pardon my reply)

[Onelifetogive]

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

One must not forget the famous Harold Hecuba.

[pandoraou812]

Hmm I wonder where your name is in this list...

[untwist]

I know that Austin Powers ran into some nasty ones with very peculiar names in his crime fighting ventures:

Alotta Fagina
Ivana Humpalot
Dixie Normus

[Onelifetogive]

http://www.newsoftheweird.com/wayne.html

[lonestar]

LOL!!!!

[gigster]

Yes,the “surname” is the last name.
The last chapter in the book “Freakonomics”
is called, “Perfect Parenting,Part 2;or: Would a Roshanda
by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet?
Fascinating reading,but not conclusive,by any means.

[Between the Lines]

Hubert Humphrey

Horatio Hornblower

Hedda Hopper

Henry Higgins

Helen Hunt

[Jet Jaguar]

sur⋅name   [n. sur-neym; v. sur-neym, sur-neym] Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -named, -nam⋅ing. –noun 1. the name that a person has in common with other family members, as distinguished from a Christian name or given name; family name. 2. a name added to a person's name, as one indicating a circumstance of birth or some characteristic or achievement; epithet.

[Ken H]

Herr Hitler

[gigster]

Heinrich Himmler
Harry Hopkins

[HomeschoolMomma]

Michael, for example, was rated at 100, and the least likely name to be associated with juvenile delinquency

Delinquency...no

Juveniles...YES!

[ccmay]

How about:

Harold Harefoot (King of England 1035-1040; son of King Canute)
Henry Heinz, the catsup king
Heinrich Heine, German poet and author

On the down side:

Humbert Humbert, fictional pervert
Hank Hill, cartoon propane salesman
Harry Hopkins, FDR adviser and Commie spy

[giotto]

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

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.

[TigersEye]

C’mere and I’ll show ya! ;^)

[Paleo Conservative]

What about “Antwan”?

[Arthur McGowan]

It won’t????? I’m sure you’re mistaken about that.

[Arthur McGowan]

And start pulling up the floorboards.