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

Richard Woodward

Economics Bulletin, 2005, vol. 4, issue 9, 1-6

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.

Keywords: consumer; choices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D1 L1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-08-31
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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