The study then compared the names and their popularity ratings to the first names of male youth in the juvenile justice system from 1997 to 2005.

Using regression models, Lee and co-author David Kalist found that regardless of race, the more unique, rare and unpopular the name is, the more likely it popped up in youth crime files 10 to 18 years later.

While half of the names in the state population have a PNI of 20 or more, half the names of the juvenile population have a PNI greater than 11.

Lee calculated that for every 10 per cent increase in the popularity of a name, there is an associated 3.7 per cent decrease in the number of troublemaking kids with that name.

However, research also showed that the PNI of a juvenile's name is also associated with other factors, such as socio-economic conditions and family structure.

``The PNI is positively associated when the kid is living with both parents and negatively associated when living only with the mother,'' said Lee, add

Have say, I'm dubious.

Interesting idea! An informal survey among the women in my office revealed the name of the guy who broke your heart would most likely be....Michael. It could also be that it's common name.

I thought Danny's were bad!