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Do Americans Desire Homogeneity? Evidence from Names from 1900-2000

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Woodward

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

There has been a dramatic increase in market concentration in the retail sector in the United States. Although it is typically assumed that standard supply-side forces of returns to scale are behind this trend, it is also possible that demand-side forces have played a role, i.e., that consumers desire homogeneity. This paper evaluates the American demand for homogeneity as exhibited in parental naming choices over the century from 1900-2000. The evidence does not support the hypothesis of increasing demand for homogeneity in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Woodward, 2005. "Do Americans Desire Homogeneity? Evidence from Names from 1900-2000," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 4(9), pages 1-6.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-05d10041
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    File URL: http://www.accessecon.com/pubs/EB/2005/Volume4/EB-05D10041A.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roland G. Fryer & Steven D. Levitt, 2004. "The Causes and Consequences of Distinctively Black Names," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 119(3), pages 767-805.
    2. George A. Akerlof & Rachel E. Kranton, 2000. "Economics and Identity," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(3), pages 715-753.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Saku Aura & Gregory D. Hess, 2010. "What’S In A Name?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(1), pages 214-227, January.
    2. Franklin Mixon & Richard Cebula, 2012. "More is More: Some Economics of Distinctively-Named White Kids," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 40(1), pages 39-47, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    consumer choices;

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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