A Boy Named Sue, and a Theory of Names

Johnny Cash may have been wrong about A Boy Named Sue afterall.

Studies showed that children with odd names got worse grades and were less popular than other classmates in elementary school. In college they were more likely to flunk out or become “psychoneurotic.” Prospective bosses spurned their résumés. They were overrepresented among emotionally disturbed children and psychiatric patients.

Some of the odd names mentioned: Emma Royd, Ima Hogg, Garage Empty, Hysteria Johnson, Please Cope, Rasp Berry, Major Slaughter

I still love that Johnny Cash song.