Distinctively Black Names and Educational Outcomes

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2023
Volume: 131
Issue: 4
Pages: 877 - 897

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Names can convey information about race or ethnicity and therefore can be used to discriminate against protected groups; many researchers have demonstrated as much through audit studies. Yet few studies link life outcomes with names using observational data. We use administrative data from over 3 million Black students to ask whether those with more statistically Black names have differential educational outcomes. We find that while test scores, college enrollment, and college completion are negatively correlated with Black names net of background characteristics, this relationship is absent when we compare across siblings within households.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/722093
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25