Adolescents with unpopular names more prone to committing crime

A new study in the journal Social Science Quarterly examined the relationship between first name popularity in adolescents and tendency to commit crime. Results show that, regardless of race, juveniles with unpopular names are more likely to engage in criminal activity.

David E. Kalist and Daniel Y. Lee of Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania, analysed state data by comparing the first names of male juvenile delinquents to the first names of male juveniles in the population.

Researchers constructed a popularity-name index (PNI) for each name. For example, the PNI for Michael is 100, the most frequently given name during the period. The PNI for David is 50, a name given half as frequently as Michael. The PNI is approximately 1 for names such as Alec, Ernest, Ivan, Kareem, and Malcolm.

The least popular names were associated with juvenile delinquency among both blacks and whites. While the names are likely not the cause of crime, they are connected to factors that increase the tendency to commit crime, such as a disadvantaged home environment, residence in a county with low socioeconomic status, and households run by one parent.

Also, adolescents with unpopular names may be more prone to crime because they are treated differently by their peers, making it more difficult for them to form relationships. Juveniles with unpopular names may also act out because they consciously or unconsciously dislike their names.

"First name characteristics may be an important factor to help identify individuals at high risk of committing or recommitting crime, leading to more effective and targeted intervention programs," the authors conclude.

(Source: Wiley-Blackwell: Social Science Quarterly: March 2009)

Article Date: 14/3/2009

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Article Comments

Comment from: cath | 3/15/2009 7:24:45 AM
So what were the names? Article with no real substance to satisfy the readers natural curiosity.

Comment from: Peter R | 3/15/2009 4:35:11 PM
It seems to me that the article is implying that those who have been given unpopular names are more likly to commit crime BECAUSE thay have unpopular names. In other words there is a probable causal relationship between the name and the criminal outcomes. I suggest that this hypothesis is flawed. It is a clear example of "post hoc, ergo propter hoc" woolly thinking. I submit an alternative proposal:- Some parents in a lower socio-economic situation, who might feel that they are disrespected by society, are more inclined to give pretentious names or startingly-different names to their offspring, in the hope that by doing so their child will be at least noticed by society, or at least, accorded more respect because of first impressions of the "special" name. The task of clambering out of the family's existing socio-economic "bog" is in fact made no easier by the new name. The child is nevertheless more likely to become involved in crime because he/she may turn to crime in a flawed attempt to "fast-track" an escape from the "no-future" outlook of the family. By the way, I am not a "silver-tail". I was not born with a "silver spoon" in my mouth. I started work at 14 years of age. I never went to college. I succeeded at business using my God-given wits.

Comment from: jarrod | 3/15/2009 7:47:46 PM
that is so stupid how can ur name make u a criminal

Comment from: eldee | 3/15/2009 8:08:11 PM
Spot on, Peter R. Most school teachers would agree with you. Common names with very unusual spelling fit the bill too.

Comment from: Neale | 3/16/2009 9:27:53 AM
One only had to look at history when it comes to Psychological research studies and there ongoing flaws. It is their narrow modelling techniques that will bring them undone every time!Peter R is right on the money.

Comment from: Joan | 3/16/2009 9:45:55 AM
Agree with Peter. We already know that we need to target unfavourable socio-economic conditions if we're serious about crime prevention (or even about justice). I suppose there's no point in doing research about that, since we already know it. I think these researchers are just looking for a topic to write their thesis on - it really doesn't add to the sum of useful human knowledge.

Comment from: Elspeth | 3/16/2009 10:12:11 AM
I'm not sure that the name Maverick is a good start!

Comment from: K.BOY | 3/16/2009 9:36:29 PM
That theory sounds questioable...I had a name which in australia is normally a girls name,,..I am not a criminal..and I was fairly popular in school...Forget the name theory a concentrate on peronality...the person makes the person and his upbringing determines his chance of going off the tracks and becoming a crim.

Comment from: Marjon | 5/8/2009 4:40:17 PM
Yes and what about al the other problems in the world..Drugs murder & suicide? What..! unpopular names too? No i don't think it has any think to do with names...:)