The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names

Abstract Though journalists frequently attribute the popularity of certain given names to particular cultural events, they often make errors by focusing on only the top few names. Evidence shows that names do not reach that status immediately after the cultural event that introduces them. However, p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cleveland Kent Evans
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2007-12-01
Series:Names
Online Access:http://ans-names.pitt.edu/ans/article/view/1804
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author Cleveland Kent Evans
author_facet Cleveland Kent Evans
author_sort Cleveland Kent Evans
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Though journalists frequently attribute the popularity of certain given names to particular cultural events, they often make errors by focusing on only the top few names. Evidence shows that names do not reach that status immediately after the cultural event that introduces them. However, popular culture does influence parents in the choice of names. I propose that a pattern called a “tsunami curve” is a good indicator that a name has been influenced by a particular cultural event.
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spelling doaj.art-6b7657a32250451290ca42e12a1147942022-12-22T03:42:05ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghNames0027-77381756-22792007-12-0155410.1179/nam.2007.55.4.335The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given NamesCleveland Kent EvansAbstract Though journalists frequently attribute the popularity of certain given names to particular cultural events, they often make errors by focusing on only the top few names. Evidence shows that names do not reach that status immediately after the cultural event that introduces them. However, popular culture does influence parents in the choice of names. I propose that a pattern called a “tsunami curve” is a good indicator that a name has been influenced by a particular cultural event. http://ans-names.pitt.edu/ans/article/view/1804
spellingShingle Cleveland Kent Evans
The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
Names
title The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
title_full The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
title_fullStr The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
title_full_unstemmed The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
title_short The Tsunami Curve and Popular Culture Influences on Given Names
title_sort tsunami curve and popular culture influences on given names
url http://ans-names.pitt.edu/ans/article/view/1804
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