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, 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.