Journal of Memetics and Nameology
Copyleft 2024 by The Consortium for Internet Culture Studies
Spuriously published by Tyler Vigen

Vol. 184, No. 11, 2024
ISSN 6689-1404/20/$96.00
PII S7436-1732(5139)5238-7

Alainas and Trollfaces: Unveiling The Alaina-tionship Between Name
Popularity and Meme FadCameron Harrison, Andrew Travis, Gregory P Thornton
Ann Arbor, Michigan
This research paper explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the firstname Alaina and the virality of the 'trollface' meme in the digital sphere. Leveraging datafrom the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, our study delves into themysterious bond that ties the eponymous name Alaina to an internet phenomenon. With acorrelation coefficient of 0.8753667 and statistical significance (p < 0.01) observed
between 2006 and 2022, this study is anything but a troll-ercoaster. The findings of thiscosmic connection between the moniker Alaina and the infamous trollface meme are as
surprising as finding a rickroll in a serious academic paper. Our analysis uncovers aparallel rise in the popularity of the name Alaina and the prominence of the trollface
meme, leaving researchers and readers alike grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Whether thisempirical observation reflects mere coincidence or a deeper metaphysical correlation
remains an enigma. As the data unveils, it appears that the Alaina-tionship between thename and the meme transcends mere chance – in fact, it's quite ap-parent. Our research
merrily concludes that the journey to understanding the Alaina-tionship between the firstname Alaina and the 'trollface' meme has just begun, and it's an adventure that's worth
more than a few chuckles.

The interplay between internet memes and societal
trends has long been a topic of interest, offering a
curious window into the collective consciousness ofdigital denizens. As the digital landscapecontinually evolves, so too does the ebb and flow ofthese viral sensations, leaving researchers towonder: "What's really going on here?" We aredelving into the Alaina-tionship between thepopular first name Alaina and the notorious'trollface' meme to uncover whether there's more to
this amusing correlation than meets the eye. It's am-eme-ingful quest, if you will.
Picture this: it's the early 2000s, and as the internet
burgeons with emergent memes, the 'trollface'
begins its ascent to digital stardom. This
mischievous visage has been the source of countless

chuckles, eyerolls, and the occasional facepalm.
Meanwhile, in the world of baby-naming, the name
Alaina has also been steadily gaining popularity. It’s
almost as if the resurgence in popularity of thetrollface meme has Alaina-d itself with thepopularity of this particular moniker. At this point,
I'm Alaina-g my puns on a bit thick.
We are not so naïve as to attribute the popularity ofa meme to the favorability of a name, but as webegan to delve into the data, a correlation of
0.8753667 between the popularity of Alaina and the'trollface' meme emerged, making us all think,"What in tarnation?" It's a correlation that even themost skeptical of researchers couldn't ignore, not tomention the countless dads out there who will likely

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchfind some way to interject a pun about trolls andbridges.
As we embark on this whimsical yet thoughtprovoking journey, we aim to shed light on theunexpected interconnectedness of internet culture
and nomenclature, all while keeping our sense ofhumor firmly intact. So strap in, dear reader, for adata-driven expedition into the perplexing yet
delightfully entertaining world of 'Alainas andTrollfaces.' This is one trip you won't soon forget.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Several seminal studies have delved into the realmof naming trends, shedding light on the social andcultural implications of nomenclature. Smith (2010)
explores the impact of popular culture on baby
names, illustrating how media, celebrities, and evenmemes can influence naming choices. Similarly,Doe (2013) investigates the psychological factorsthat underpin naming decisions, uncovering theintricate web of associations and perceptions tied tospecific names. Meanwhile, Jones (2016) examines
the correlation between internet phenomena andsocietal trends, paving the way for our investigation
into the curious connection between the first name
Alaina and the 'trollface' meme.
In "What's in a Name: The Psychology ofNomenclature," the authors find that individuals
often form judgments and impressions based on aperson's name, demonstrating the profound impactof nomenclature on social interactions andperceptions. This study provides a theoreticalframework for understanding the significance ofnames in shaping social identity and perception,
adding a layer of depth to our exploration of the
Alaina-tionship between the name Alaina and the'trollface' meme.
Transitioning from scholarly works to more lighthearted yet relevant literature, "The Name Book"
offers insights into the cultural and historicalsignificance of names, highlighting the dynamic
nature of naming trends and their reflection ofsocietal shifts. In a similar vein, "Freakonomics,"

with its exploration of unconventional correlations
and thought-provoking hypotheses, sets the stage
for our unconventional investigation into themysterious affinity between the name Alaina andthe 'trollface' meme.
In a whimsical turn, "Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass,"
although works of fiction, prompt readers to engage
in imaginative and unconventional thinking – amindset that aligns with our approach to unravelingthe peculiar connection between the name Alaina
and the 'trollface' meme. Additionally, the works ofDr. Seuss, such as "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and"One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish," offer aplayful perspective that infuses our research with asense of lightheartedness and creativity, much likethe unexpected correlation we seek to elucidate.
Taking a cue from childhood favorites, "SpongeBob
SquarePants" and "The Magic School Bus" provide
an entertaining backdrop for contemplating
unconventional connections, igniting our curiosity
and sense of wonder as we venture into theuncharted territory of name-popularity dynamics
and internet memes.
As we traverse this unconventional junction ofnaming trends and internet culture, it becomes
evident that the Alaina-tionship between the nameAlaina and the 'trollface' meme is anything but amere flash in the pan – it's a phenomenon thatbeckons us down the rabbit hole of correlation andwhimsy, like a dad joke waiting to be unleashed.

METHODOLOGYTo uncover the enigmatic Alaina-tionship between
the name Alaina and the 'trollface' meme, ourresearchteam employed amulti-faceted
methodology that's as eclectic as, well, internet
culture itself. Picture a scientific version of achoose-your-own-adventure book, but with fewer
trolls and more statistical analysis. Our datacollection journey began with a comprehensive
search across the vast digital expanse, utilizing
renowned sources such as the US Social Security

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchAdministration and Google Trends. We cast a wide
net, much like a fisherman trying to catch a glimpseof the Loch Ness Monster, aiming to capture dataspanning from 2006 to 2022 – an era of internet
evolution and transformation.
First, we harnessed the power of the US Social
Security Administration's Baby Names Database,which tracks the frequency of given names in theUnited States over time. With the same fervor as a
puzzle enthusiast, trying to piece together an elusive
jigsaw, we meticulously combed through the data topinpoint the trajectory of the name Alaina'spopularity. You could say we were determined toAlaina-g insight into the ebbs and flows of itsusage.
In tandem, we ventured into the realm of GoogleTrends, a cornucopia of data related to the searchvolume of specific topics over time. Here, weembarked on a quest akin to channelling our inner
Indiana Jones, unearthing the trends and peaks insearch interest surrounding the 'trollface' meme. We
carefully scrutinized the digital footprints left byinternet users, sifting through the data like modernday prospectors searching for digital gold.
Bringing these disparate data sources together, weembarked on a statistical voyage that would rival
the most intrepid of explorers. Leveraging tools
such as correlation analysis and time-seriesmodeling, we sought to unravel the hidden threads
linking the popularity of Alaina and the 'trollface'meme. We navigated through an ocean of numbers
and equations with the precision of a skilled
cartographer, all the while maintaining our sense ofwhimsy – after all, where's the fun in researchwithout a touch of levity?
To evaluate the strength and significance of theobserved relationship between the name Alaina andthe 'trollface' meme, we employed rigorous
statistical tests, including Pearson correlation
coefficients and p-values. We took great care tosteer clear of spurious correlations, examining thedata with a critical eye to ensure that our findings

were as robust as a medieval castle – or at least as
sturdy as a bridge, if you catch my drift.
In the spirit of scientific inquiry and a good laugh,
our methodology also incorporated elements ofqualitative analysis, as we sought to capture theZeitgeist that characterizes the intersection ofpopular culture and nomenclature. As our researchteam delved deeper into the data, we couldn't help
but muse on the parallels between the timelessallure of a beloved name and the enduring appeal ofa digital meme – it's a bit like comparing apples toemojis.
Through this delightful yet rigorous approach, weendeavored to shed light on the peculiar Alainationship between the name Alaina and the 'trollface'meme, embracing the unexpected twists and turns
that define both internet memes and academic
inquiry. Our methodology, much like a meme itself,
is a fusion of precision and play – a journey throughthe cornucopia of data that is the digital age, whereevery observation brings a sprinkle of humor andwonder.

RESULTS

The data revealed a striking correlation between thepopularity of the first name Alaina and theprominence of the 'trollface' meme. Across the time
period from 2006 to 2022, a correlation coefficientof 0.8753667 was observed, indicating a strong
positive relationship between the two variables.
This correlation also exhibited a high level ofstatistical significance with an r-squared value of
0.7662669 and a p-value of less than 0.01. It seemsthe Alaina-tionship is no laughing matter, or is it?
Fig. 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the robust
relationship between the two variables, and it's clear
as day that the Alaina-tionship is no mere figmentof our imagination. This unexpected connection
between a moniker and a meme has all the makingsof a classic "dad joke," making us wonder if there's
a punchline waiting to be revealed.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchAs the data unfolded, it became evident that thesurge in the popularity of the name Alaina
harmonized eerily with the rise of the 'trollface'meme in internet culture. It's almost as if thememe's impish grin is mirroring the cheeky charmof the name Alaina. Pardon the pun, but thiscorrelation has us all feeling a bit "troll-faced"
ourselves.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

These findings open up a whimsical yet fascinating
avenue for further exploration into the interplay
between popular culture, digital trends, andnomenclature. The Alaina-tionship between thename Alaina and the 'trollface' meme may be justthe tip of the iceberg in uncovering the delightful
and unexpected connections that lurk within thevast expanse of internet culture. As the saying goes,"The internet works in mysterious ways," and thesefindings only serve to reinforce that notion with ahealthy dose of humor.

DISCUSSION

The results of our study heartily affirm the priorresearch conducted by Smith (2010) and Doe(2013), who illuminated the influence of popular
culture and psychological associations on naming
trends. Perhaps, one could say our findings are a"troll-ific" extension of their work. Additionally, thecorrelation between internet phenomena andsocietal trends, as explored by Jones (2016), also
receives a cheeky nod from our examination of theAlaina-tionship between the first name Alaina andthe 'trollface' meme – it's almost as if our research isa "meme-ful" homage to Jones's work.
The whimsical connections that we sought touncover in our study have, lo and behold, proven to
be more than just a jest. The strong positive
relationship between the popularity of the name
Alaina and the prominence of the 'trollface' meme
mirrors the interconnectedness of obscure andseemingly incongruous entities. It's a bit likefinding a good dad joke in the midst of an academic
paper – unexpected yet undeniably delightful.
Our findings not only underscore the amusing
parallel rise in the popularity of the name Alaina
and the prominence of the 'trollface' meme but also
encourage further exploration into the intersectionof popular culture, digital trends, and nomenclature.
It's as if our research has unveiled a hidden
punchline in the world of internet culture, much likediscovering an unexpected twist in a well-crafted
dad joke.
As we embark on a journey to demystify theenigmatic Alaina-tionship between the first name
Alaina and the 'trollface' meme, it becomes clearthat this unexpected correlation is more than just anamusing coincidence – it's a reflection of thewhimsy and wonder that permeate our digital age.
Our study bridges the gap between naming trends
and internet culture, proving that even in the worldof academia, one can find a bit of levity. After all,what's in a name if it doesn't evoke a chuckle ortwo?

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our research unearths a correlation as
surprising as discovering a Sasquatch in a meme.
The Alaina-tionship between the first name Alaina
and the 'trollface' meme is indeed a fascinating
puzzle, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8753667
leaving us all grinning like Cheshire cats. It's as if
the data itself is winking at us, daring us to solve theriddle of this unexpected connection. Indeed, thiscorrelation is quite "troll-ific" in nature.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchAs we wrap up this study, it's worth mentioning that
the Alaina-tionship between the name Alaina andthe 'trollface' meme may seem like a mere
whimsical quirk, but it's a discovery that tickles theintellect while sparking joy. It's the kind of findingthat elicits a hearty chuckle from researchers andreaders alike - a bit like finding out that "trollface"is actually just a close relative of the grin emoji.
All puns aside, our journey into the cosmos ofinternet culture has proven to be both enlightening
and immensely entertaining. It's a reminder thateven in the realm of academic inquiry, there'salways room for a bit of lighthearted whimsy. Afterall, what's research without a sprinkle of humor?
Therefore, it is with great delight and a touch ofwhimsy that we assert: no further research into theAlaina-tionship between the name Alaina and the'trollface' meme is needed. This correlation may
forever stand as a delightful enigma in the annals ofmeme-ntous discoveries.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research