America elected a new president on Tuesday. Perhaps you heard? Obama's triumph was the world's huge news story, but across the country many thousands more candidates were voted in and out of local offices. My ballot including a plethora of races for positions like Register of Probate and Regional Vocational School District. I'm sure I'm not the only reasonably well-informed voter who sometimes stares down at a list of local candidates and thinks "Uh-oh. These are just random names to me."
An election of random names. Interesting, eh? For all of the attention that's been paid to Barack Hussein Obama's name, the fact is that a presidential candidate becomes so well known by the public that his name alone can't define him. But in local elections, especially elections for large slates of jobs, a typical voter is often asked to chose among a group of people knowing little but their names. If name-based discrimination really exists, could this be a place we'd spot it?
In fact, the Houston Chronicle thinks they might have spotted some. An article in this morning's paper describes a curious electoral pattern in Harris County, Texas. Harris County voters had over a hundred local races to decide, including 32 separate District Judge contests. We can't expect a typical voter in that situation to be genuinely familiar with all of the hundreds of candidates. So all many had to go on was name and party affiliation. Not surprisingly, party affiliation dominated: a wave of straight-party Democratic voting swept most of the 32 District Judge races. Most, but not all. The Chronicle reports speculation that the four Democratic candidates who lost were brought down by their "unusual names." They were:
Ashish Mahendru
Mekisha Murray
Andres Pereira
Goodwille Pierre
Judging by surnames like Murray and Pierre, we can safely assume they're talking about unusual first names. And judging by the first name Andres, we can safely assume that "unusual" is a big, whopping euphemism. (A look at the NameMapper will show you that the familiar Spanish name Andres has ranked among the top-100 names in Texas for years.) So instead of "unusual," let's just be upfront and say "non-white." Meanwhile the winning candidates in those contests were named Sharon, Mark, Patricia and Joseph.
Keep in mind that most of the judicial races were decided by just a few percentage points. With only two factors to judge by, name and party, it's certainly conceivable that names could have influenced just enough voters to sway those races. But before drawing any conclusions we should look at the full body of candidates running for all 32 jobs. I've reviewed the full Harris County judicial election results; here are the names of the winning Democrats:
Al
Alexandra
Bert
David
Dion
Hazel
Herb
Jaclanel
Jim
Joe
Josefina
Kevin
Kyle
Larry
Leslie
Martin
Mary
Michael
Mike
Mike
R.K.
Randy
Ruben
Robert
Robert
Shawna
Steven
Terri
Of the 28, I see only three names that would typically be identified as non-white: Dion, Josefina, and Ruben. That totals seven non-white given names out of 32 Democrats, with all four losers selected from those seven. What are the chances that selection would happen randomly? By my calculations, less than one chance in a thousand.
Of course, it's just one set of races in one county. I don't pretend to know whether other issues affected those four candidates. But if I were a scholarly researcher trying to isolate real-world effects of baby names, I'd be mighty tempted to take a broader look at "name-only" contests like these across America.
Comments
I am addicted to logic puzzles and am always interested in the names that the puzzle wizards give to their "characters." Today I did a puzzle that required the solver to figure out which criminal a certain detective (Rosemary) had arrested on which day of the week. The five criminals' names?
Barney
Cecil
Eugene
Quincy
Travis
What do you all think about that? Do those seem like criminal names to you? Barney, Cecil, and Eugene seem like names that were popular several generations ago, and I suppose are fair game for puzzlers looking to poke gentle fun by bestowing them on fictitious criminals (NOT murderers, but a purse snatcher, pickpocket, shoplifter, etc.). Quincy and Travis, however, give off a different aura to me. However lighthearted, since these puzzles are meant for fun, I think I would have chosen completely made up names rather than run the risk of branding certain names as criminal, but I'm probably being a ridiculous NE!
Re Pascal/e being meaning names referring to Easter, Natalie/Natalya/Natal refer to Christmas, and I don't think too many people give the meaning a thought.
Re Levin--
Lev means heart in Hebrew and lion in Russian. Levin is a surname borne by people (Jews) belonging to the priestly tribe of the Levites. If that doesn't apply to your family, I think it is inappropriate to use it as a given name, just as I think it is out of line for random people who are not entitled the name Cohen to use that as a given name. If Levin does apply to your family, then it is IMO usable, but a kid named Myer Levin LN will certainly sound like a little old Jewish man which may or may not be the effect you want.
Myer Levin sure does sound like meyer lemon!
Meyer Lemon--you are so right! They are delicious, though...
Ben's mom, I have a cousin with sons named Benjamin, Zachary, and Samuel. Zachary's very much nms, but I like Samuel. I also second (or third) the suggestions of Theodore, Gregory, and Oliver.
I LOVE the name Sebastian, but I don't like the way it sounds with Benjamin. The vowel sounds are too repetitive between the two names. I have a similar problem with Jonathan. I think the fact that both names end in "n" is what gets me.
I'll throw Alistair, Geoffrey, Mathias, and James into the mix.
i was unaware of the Levin surname connection to priestly families. i had heard of that with the name cohen, but never for levin. i would not feel comfortable using it now that i know that, for sure!
(although i am interminably drawn to older jewish names... i think they are the best of the best!)
also- i'd never heard of a meyer lemon before... i guess that rules that out! who wants to be named after a lemon?? :)
Emery Jo, Myer Holden is not my style, but I think it has a nice ring to it, and the meaning is nice. I agree that Myer sounds like an old Jewish man. I'd still urge you to use the more traditional spelling Meyer, as Myer just looks misspelled to me. If people mispronounce it as Mayer (am I correct in remembering that that was your problem with it?), it only takes one moment to correct them and then they'll never make the mistake again. As someone who has a name that has often been mispronounced on first sight, I find that people always pick up on the proper pronunciation after one correction, and it's really no hassle. Anyway, best of luck to you.
I like Zachary. Not sure about Samuel or Samson as our last name starts w/ S...
MN's will be James Brian. Although I keep going back to Jamison for a first name and don't think that Jamison James Brian would work well :o)
I think Tristan sounds really nice with Benjamin, although its not 3 syllables.
I think it would work well with middle name James Brian as well.
Emery Jo--
Surnames used by Levite families includes Levy, Levin, Levine, Lewin, and other similar names.
BTW living here in Arizona where they are popular, I have learned that the Meyer lemon is not a true lemon. It is probably a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. The skin has an orange-y cast and is edible, and the fruit is sweeter than a regular lemon. It is ornamental and can be grown in a container. In fact one of the nice things about living here in Arizona is the abundance of all the different kinds of citrus trees. The fruits look like colorful jewels against the glossy green foliage. But I still wouldn't want my kid to be called Meyer lemon.
BTW Meyer is the Yiddish spelling of the name. The Hebrew spelling (same name) is Meir. Meyer follows the Germanic stress rule with the stress on the initial syllable, while in Hebrew the stress is on the second syllable.
Clementine -- I prefer Penelope to Pascale, although I find Pascale a lovely, unexpected choice so it wouldn't take much to tip me toward that one. I've been no help, I'm afraid!
Ben's mummy -- I was going to suggest Solomon, but since your ln begins with /s/ that may be out. Otherwise, I love the suggestions of Timothy or especially Theodore.
Emery Jo -- I like the meanings you've found for Myer Holden, but I like the spelling of Meyer better.
Re: the African man named Goodluck, I once knew an African man (by name only so I never knew what country he was from) named Godpower. That's quite a powerful name.
My first thought when I hear the name "Meyer" or "Myer" is the Oscar Mayer wiener song.
I mention this only in an attempt to forecast elementary school teasing. I quite like the sound of the name - that's just the first thing that pops to mind.
What about Holden Myer?
Emery Jo-Myer Levin is just a bit much for me.
I'm quite partial to Holden, but I'm not sure about it with Myer.
I think I'd sort of prefer Myer with something like John or Thomas-know what I mean?
My tastes are sort of stodgy, though, so take that with a grain of salt. I'm with others on using the Meyer spelling, though.
My parents gave my name an unsual, but phonetic spelling-Maegen, but just today someone called me May-Jen.
Ben's Mum-How about Jeffrey or Jefferson? That would give you Jeffy/Jeff as nns, and while Jeffrey James Brian is quite a bit of J, I think it works. You could do J.J. as another nickname, if you're the sort who likes initial names.
Last post, I promise.
I just have to follow up on the suggestion of Holden Meyer, as I'd thought of it also.
I think it has a nice rhythm, but I immediately realized it's way too close to "Holding my..."
Sorry to chime in with the junior high stuff, but it's sort of my expertise.
Good point J&H's mom. Hadn't thought of that one.
Guess that's why we seek feedback on names - just so someone else can bring up points we might not have considered. Those points aside, if you've considered them, but you really like Myer or Meyer, then go with it.
Ben's Mom-When I ask myself "blank James Brian" I for some reason first think of Walter. I'm not sure why as I really don't like the name but I believe it's because of the flow. So finding a name that sounds like it does, would be imo the "perfect name".
Names that fit after some thought on this-
Oliver; Mitchell; Russell; Kyle; Colin*; Gregory*; Spencer; Richard; Robert; Victor*; Adam*; Nicholas; Nathaniel; Lucas*; Henry*; Daniel*
The *'d ones are my favs.
Wow! It has been 4 months since reading this blog and catching up takes some work!
In that time spent travelling we have discovered we are expecting our first child and FINALLY I can put all my baby naming obsession to good use. Am almost half way, are not finding out the sex and are completely stuck.
On girls anyway. Boys name is pretty well sorted but I would LOVE some feedback/suggestions for our girls middle name in particular.
Currently we are sold on
Eliane (nn Sunny-as Eliane means sunshine)
Malia
Any thoughts? I'm figuratively banging my head on the keyboard and would really appreciate your help!!
Louise-Congrats! Do you have a particular style you are after? Do you have anything you DON'T care for? Family names? Matching with LN?
Malia (Mah-LEE-ah) and Eliane (Ell-ee-AH-nay) correct me if I'm wrong about those, are pretty names and have similar sounds. They are both soft flowing names and seem to need a hard sound after them like Colette, Renee, Noelle, Danae (Dah-nay), Bridget or Pearl. Let us know.
Interesting article regarding name bias:
The comments are interesting too!
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/11/07/whats-in-a-name-barack-husse...
Davin I met a woman named Selva the other day. I thought it was a pretty name and it has a V in it.
Welcome back Louise, and congratulations! How are you saying Eliane? I love that it means Sunshine and I think that's a great nn, but for the name itself I'm not sure how to say it. Is Malia like Barack Obama's daughter? I think it's a nice name! Also are these the middle names we're looking at or the first names? You mentioned being concerned about the middle...
Louise: I'm interested to hear what boys names you have picked out too. I think Malia might get the "Oh like Obama's daughter" response. Well depending on where you live. This name might also become quite popular as a result of Obama's daughter, if that bothers you. I think Eliane might be misread as Elaine often. I also wonder how hard it will be to get people to go with the sort of unintuitive nickname. Sorry I'm being negative! I actually like the names! Just trying to think of potential problems I guess! Or it's early and I'm tired!
I also think Eliane might get misread as Elaine. How about Eliana?
Keren- I have an 8-month-old who is named Eliana Sion (spanish form of Zion) and several people have misread her name as Elaina. However, it only takes one correction and it doesn't happen again. It really is just a reading error on their part. So...
Louise- I say if you like Eliane go for it, you may occasionally have to correct people, but it shouldn't be a big issue. As far as Malia goes, I think it's pretty, but I think that there's a good chance it will rise in popularity over the next few years since it is Barack's daughter's name. (The dresses the girls were wearing last Tuesday are now back ordered and I think the name thing will follow this same pattern.) So, I would hesitate to name her this for fear she'd always share her name with someone else in her class. Nothing like being Malia G. for the rest of your life.
Davin- Two girls names I haven't heard yet... the first one I love... the other one, I've run into twice at my new church. Chavalah (or Chava)... think Fiddler on the Roof (and she'd have her own song) and Marvel (an older name seems to be back in fashion, but this one probably won't get so much use that it would rise to the top.)
Clementine- I love Penelope... and although I like Pascuale, I think of a boy, too.
christinepearl - I've met a Digory in real life! Actually, I think he was a Diggory. He was the ex-boyfriend of a friend of my husband's so I didn't know him intimately or anything, but he seemed gentle, good-humoured and kind. Also a bit offbeat.
Louise-Congratulations!!
Your names remind me of the post Laura did on "Names that travel well." You may want to check that one out.
First, I love the nn Sunny. I do think it takes a certain personality to pull it off. I'm too pessimistic to be a Sunny myself, but maybe names are destiny....?
Now, it's not an obvious nickname, so you'll have to do a certain amount of explaining, but I assume you've thought that through already.
Like others, I'm not certain how to pronounce Eliane. We have a close friend with a daughter named Eilliean. She pronounces it Ell-ee-un, and that's what I'd be inclined to do with Eliane.
If you weren't planning on using a nn, I'd probably mention the uber popularity of the various Ellie names, but it sounds like that is a moot point.
As to Malia, I think it's lovely. I do think it will get more popular, both due to the charming Obama daughter and also because it's trend-right in so many ways. For example, while I can't think of a baby Malia off the top of my head, we do know little ones named Mia, Maya, Marina, Maren, Lia, Aaliyah, and so on....
I don't know if this is a big deal to you or not. I have a Jack myself, so I'm not one to rule out a name on popularity alone.
I'll try to think of some suggestions and get back to you, but I'm sure others will have some great ones.
I've always loved the idea of Sonata, nicknamed Sunny.
Celebrity Baby Alert!
Adam Sandler welcomes Sunny Madeline. Older daughter is name Sadie Madison. Sunny and Sadie Sandler. That is really hard to say. What will their next kids be named? Sammy? Sally? Sandy? I dig Sandy Sandler. ;)
Louise: I personally know a Malia Rose, three years old. I think her name flows quite well, although it is a common middle name (at least where I live).
Louise-I think Sonata is a lovely idea.
I also thought of Sunday-I know it probably isn't a favorite around here, but I have to admit I like it.
Here are a few others:
Talia/Natalia
Sena/Sienna/Seneca
Cecily
Sonya
Sabrina
Selina
Lucia
Helena/Helaina
Melanie
Karena
Linnaea
Tulia
Phillipa with nns Pippa,Piper or Pepper (I wasn't trying to be funny there, but I know it is!)
Margaret nn Maisey
I know those last two seem out of left field, but I immediately thought of Pepper or Maisey when I read Sunny. I guess the rest of my list is more in keeping with the given names on your short list.
SusieQ - Thanks, I have always been curious.
My cousin dated a girl who went by the nn Sunny. I don't remember what her actual first name was but I do remember she was of Indian heritage.
chrispy a/ka/ christinepearl
Kelly,
I just wanted to thank you for honestly sharing your voting experience. Name connotation can be very subconscious, but it's interesting that you recognize the influence.
Today's Houston Chronicle printed a more thorough article on the same premise, and it turned out to be quite inflammatory to some. It actually stirred a lot of racial talk and turned into some very personal attacks against the reporter who wrote the story and the subject herself, Mekisha Murray.
Honestly it's time to move on, as this thought-provoking topic of conversation has been blown way out of proportion. I thought it was an interesting perspective and something to think about. After all, Mekisha Murray is my sister.
The bottom line is, should we REALLY be voting for judicial seats at county level? How many people are remotely, let alone accurately informed about the candidates? If it really does come down to name vs. name, there's got to be a better way.
Indeed your observation is quite self-evident. When people want and have to entrust their destiny to THE ONE, it’s undeniable that the choice will be done resorting to the destiny’s help - perhaps the mystery of names will guide them.
Right after the election the well-known name of this hare having left behind all the turtles had already received some offspring. Does the Obamageddon’s name say something to you? Isn’t it a good rime of bad sign? Perhaps you heard…
I wonder what was so distorted with the name of the precedent U.S.A. president, that his name was so reassuring and showing great promise before the elections and so crashing and disappointing right after... Perhaps the stars weren't sympathizing or the horoscope was wrong...
Hello!
My name is Joseph. And I would like to say that it's quite usual in the asian american families for kids to have an "american" (i.e. european american) name and a name from their family's country of origin. typically the europian name is official and what they use in school and in the community.
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