Can trends in baby’s names foreshadow major social events? (new study)

“Before 1992, the names ‘Hillary’ and ‘Hilary’ had been increasing in popularity for several decades. After 1992, however, their popularity dropped suddenly 10-fold.” – explains Stefano Ghirlanda who is Professor of Psychology, Biology, and Anthropology, Brooklyn College, CUNY, and Founder and fellow, Centre for the Study of Cultural Evolution, Stockholm University. With this in mind, […]

Podcast 84: What sort of person is named Rupzóiyat?

Unpronounceable names — Chérin; Póisher; Kilom; Koikert; Vázal; Dáwfisp; Zóque; Spren; Dáwthô; Rupzóiyat; Blag; Lísrix; Thaspkûwhin; Kîrd’faumish; Génras; Tháchô; Brob. Zóitû; Kóldak; Múrbix; Chermtgáwkonv; Bóppum; and a bunch of others — and what other people make of those unpronounceable names, enliven this week’s Improbable Research podcast. SUBSCRIBE on Play.it, iTunes, or Spotify to get a new episode every week, free. This week, Marc Abrahams discusses medical reports about toothbrushes that mysteriously found their […]

Nominative Determinism: Dr. Forrest on Trees

“This book presents a horticultural overview of the main plant families of trees and shrubs from temperate regions that are cultivated in urban and rural landscape schemes. Most of the plants used come from a limited number of plant families and within these families, certain genera contribute very significantly. The largest chapter in the book […]

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