First names and longevity.
A statistical association has been reported between people's initials and their life expectancy. Several researchers have also reported that people with uncommon first names are perceived to be less intelligent, attractive, and likable than are people with more popular names. To assess whether such statements reflect social stigmatization that may affect the life expectancy of people with unpopular names, the California Department of Health Services mortality database for the years 1960 through 2004 for 6.7 million white, non-Hispanic decedents was used to compare the average age at death for decedents with the most popular and least popular first names. These data show no relation of the popularity of a first name with life expectancy.
Pinzur
Laura
L
Department of Economics, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
Smith
Gary
G
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009275:Names; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors