Strollerderby

Did You Give Your Son a Criminal's Name?

Posted by Madeline Holler

I KNEW we should have gone with Michael!

My husband and I had protracted discussions on what we should name our new son. We went with Earl (shut up, it's cute!) for many reasons, including the fact that it wasn't super common. But according to the science, or maybe crazy science, we've predisposed the boy to criminal behavior.

A University of Pennsylvania study argues that boys with unpopular names may be more likely to break the law.

From Live Science (via The Daily Beast):

Results show that, regardless of race, juveniles with unpopular names are more likely to engage in criminal activity. The least popular names were associated with juvenile delinquency among both blacks and whites. ...

While the names are likely not the cause of crime, the researchers argue that "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," according to a statement released by the journal's publisher. "Juveniles with unpopular names may also act out because they consciously or unconsciously dislike their names."

Earl, despite your future life of crime, Mommy will always love you. And totally blame herself for your actions.

Photo:  iohachi.com

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Comments

 

Sue said:

Hah--well I love the name "Earl" and I'm sure he'll do just fine :)

January 28, 2009 6:18 PM
 

JeanneSager said:

Jason Lee is doing a marvelous job of showing that even an Earl who screws up can make it up to everyone! Sorry Madeline, had to say it - you know I think it's cute.

January 28, 2009 7:22 PM
 

Alice said:

Every criminal in the US seems to have the middle name of Wayne or Dewayne or something close to that. Earl always reminds me of Scruggs and Flat.  There are a lot of old rednecks in the south with that name.  Pretty common down here.

January 28, 2009 8:14 PM
 

Em said:

Earl is my grandpa's name. We named our son after my other grandpa, though indirectly - Eddie. :)

January 29, 2009 2:40 PM
 

Laura said:

Take heart, Madeline. Did you ever read "Freakonomics"? Leavitt has a whole chapter (I think) dedicated to showing that "strange" names don't predispose to criminal behavior. =)

January 29, 2009 4:09 PM
 

Leila said:

I agree Laura as that is just where my mind went! Post hoc ergo propter hoc!  Let's look at all of the other 20 factors of these children before we say their name did them in! geesh

January 30, 2009 9:50 AM

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