Journal of Aquatic Aesthetics
Copyleft 2024 by The International Society for Aquatic Fashion Studies
Spuriously published by Tyler Vigen

Vol. 352, No. 21, 2024
ISSN 2171-6914/1/$65.00
PII S7306-8398(2985)5991-5

Ariels in Michigan: Making Waves in Fashion Design
Caleb Henderson, Anthony Tate, George P Tyler
Evanston, Illinois
The phenomenon of naming trends and their potential influences on career choices haslong intrigued researchers and laypersons alike. This paper explores the curious
relationship between the popularity of the first name Ariel and the number of fashion
designers in the state of Michigan. Leveraging data from the US Social Security
Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team identified astartlingly high correlation coefficient of 0.9239693 (p < 0.01) between these seemingly
unrelated variables from 2003 to 2020. The implications of these findings are asenchanting as a mermaid's song. It seems that the prevalence of the name Ariel may be
associated with a propensity for creativity and an eye for style, leading individuals to
pursue careers in the fashionable realm. While causation cannot be conclusively inferredfrom this correlation, the results certainly make a splash in the waters of sociolinguistics
and labor market dynamics. Our paper challenges the notion that a rose by any other namewould smell as sweet; in the case of Ariel, it appears that a name can indeed influence
one's sartorial aspirations.

The confluence of seemingly unrelated
phenomena has always piqued the interest ofresearchers and the curious onlookers alike. In therealm of sociolinguistics and labor market
dynamics, the impact of one's name on theirprofessional pursuits remains a topic of fascination.
Indeed, the relationship between nomenclature andoccupational choices is a fertile ground for
exploration. Our study delves into the intriguingassociation between the popularity of the first name
Ariel and the number of fashion designers in thestate of Michigan.
The whimsical allure of the name Ariel,
evoking images of underwater kingdoms and redheaded mermaids, may seem at odds with the worldof fashion design. However, as we wade into thedepths of data and statistical analysis, we begin to
unravel a correlation as captivating as a siren's song.
The increasing prevalence of the name Ariel

appears to herald a surge in the number ofindividuals venturing into the sartorial sphere within
the borders of Michigan.
Our investigation draws on data from the US
Social Security Administration and the Bureau ofLabor Statistics, crafting a narrative that blends theempirical with the fantastical. By analyzing trends
from 2003 to 2020, we have unearthed a correlation
coefficient as striking as a seashell on the beach – avalue of 0.9239693, with a significance level of p <0.01. It seems that the waves of nomenclature andfashion design crash together in a synchronous
rhythm, creating a pattern as mesmerizing as theebb and flow of the tides.
As we embark on this research journey, we
challenge the notion that a name is merely anominal label, detached from one's professional
aspirations. Our study offers a glimpse into thepotential influence of a name on an individual's

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchcreative inclinations and career trajectory. The
seductive allure of the name Ariel may indeed holdsway over the aspirations of those who don it,
steering them towards the world of haute couture
and avant-garde creations. With these findings, we
beckon the scientific community to dive into thedepths of this enigmatic connection and explore theripples it creates in the fabric of societal andoccupational dynamics.

LITERATURE REVIEWThe connection between the popularity of the firstname Ariel and the number of fashion designers inthe state of Michigan has been an area of limited but
curious exploration in academia. Smith (2010)
found no empirical evidence supporting the notionthat one's first name influences career choices,emphasizing that such associations are purely
coincidental. However, a more recent study by Doe(2016) hinted at a potential link between names andoccupational preferences, though the focus was not
specifically on the field of fashion design.
Jones (2018) delved into the psychologicalimplications of nomenclature on individuals' selfperception and personal branding. While the study
did not directly investigate career paths, it raised
intriguing questions about the subconscious
influence of names on behavior and aspirations.
Turning to the broader societal impact of naming
trends, "The Power of Names" by Johnson (2017)
offers a comprehensive exploration of the cultural,
psychological, and sociological dimensions ofnames. This seminal work invites readers tocontemplate the significance of names beyond theirlexical meanings, providing a nuanced backdrop for
our investigation into the case of Ariel and fashion
designers in Michigan.
On the lighter side of literature, "The Little
Mermaid" by Andersen (1837) stands as a timeless
literary masterpiece that could, in theory, provide
anecdotal evidence of the influence of the name
Ariel on creative inclinations. Meanwhile, "The
Devil Wears Prada" by Weisberger (2003) and"Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Kinsella (2000)
present fictional narratives of individuals navigating
the fashion industry that may shed some light, albeit
in a whimsical manner, on the allure of sartorial
pursuits.
In the realm of popular culture, reality televisionshows such as "Project Runway" and "America's
Next Top Model" offer an anthropological insight
into the world of fashion, presenting potentiallyrelevant observations on the influence of names oncareer choices. As the authors indulged in this"research," they found themselves entertained by
the dramatic narratives and catwalk spectacles,
perhaps more than was strictly necessary for the
purposes of academic inquiry.

METHODOLOGY

Our research employed a peculiar yet effective
combination of statistical analysis and whimsical
wordplay to unravel the curious correlation between
the popularity of the first name Ariel and thenumber of fashion designers in Michigan. The
initial step involved selecting the dataset from the
US Social Security Administration, allowing us totrack the prevalence of the name Ariel over the
specified time period of 2003 to 2020. The data,like a treasure trove of linguistic gems, provided us
with the frequency of Ariel's appearance in thenames of newborns, forming the foundation of ourinvestigation.
To complement this ethereal dataset, we turned ourattention to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
unearthing the number of fashion designers in thestate of Michigan within the same timeframe. This
laborious process, akin to combing through avoluminous wardrobe, allowed us to quantify the
population of sartorial enthusiasts in the Great
Lakes State.
With these datasets in hand, we weaved together thestatistical fabric of our analysis. Employing theenchanting arts of correlation and regression
analysis, we sought to entwine the tale of Ariel's
popularity with the rise and fall of fashion design

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchendeavors in Michigan. The dance of the correlation
coefficient, resembling a graceful waltz between
two unlikely partners, revealed a remarkable valueof 0.9239693, accompanied by a significance levelof p < 0.01. These statistical maneuvers, akin to achoreographed ballet of data points, provided acompelling demonstration of the magnetic pull
between the name Ariel and the world of hautecouture.

Taking the traditional approach to interpreting theseresults would be like swimming against the current– the statistical significance level of p < 0.01
provides compelling evidence that this correlation is
not merely a "flounder" in the sea of data but ameaningful and tangible connection.

Furthermore, we conducted a series of control tests
and sensitivity analyses, ensuring that our findings
remained steadfast amidst the ever-changing
currents of statistical inference. The robustness of
our results, akin to a ship sailing through stormyseas, withstood the scrutiny of various
methodological nuances, bolstering the validity of
our enthralling discoveries.
Thus, with a blend of data mining, statisticalsorcery, and a touch of linguistic alchemy, ourinvestigation unearthed a correlation as captivating
as a mermaid's call, serving as a beacon for futurecontemplation and exploration in the uncharted
waters of name-based influences on career choices.

RESULTS

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

The accompanying scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually
captures the striking correlation between thefrequency of the name Ariel and the number offashion designers in Michigan. The upward trend in
the plot is as clear as the glass slipper left behind at
the stroke of midnight, leaving little doubt about theconfluence of these variables.

The analysis of the data revealed a strong positive
correlation between the popularity of the first name
Ariel and the number of fashion designers in thestate of Michigan. The correlation coefficient, aremarkable 0.9239693, indicates a robust
relationship between these seemingly disparate
variables. This finding suggests that there may be
more than just "dinglehoppers" and "gadgets andgizmos aplenty" associated with the name Ariel, as
it appears to be linked with an affinity for the stylish
and avant-garde.

It seems that the allure of the name Ariel extends far
beyond underwater realms, weaving its way into theworld of fashion design in Michigan with a force asstrong as the current in Prince Eric's seas. Whilecausation cannot be conclusively inferred from thiscorrelation, the results certainly make a splash in
the waters of sociolinguistics and labor market
dynamics, challenging preconceived notions andbeckoning researchers to explore the depths of thiscurious connection.

The high coefficient of determination (r-squared =0.8537192) further solidifies this association,
indicating that approximately 85.37% of thevariability in the number of fashion designers inMichigan can be explained by the popularity of thename Ariel.

DISCUSSION

The resplendent findings of this study leave us
pondering the enigmatic influence of nomenclature
on vocational aspirations. Our results echo those ofprevious studies, lending credence to the notion that
there may be more than meets the eye when it

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchcomes to the impact of a name on career choices.
While Smith (2010) may have cast doubt on theidea of name-related occupational predilections, ourinvestigation into the case of Ariel and fashion
designers in Michigan splashes a refreshing wave ofevidence onto the shores of this debate.
The observed correlation coefficient of 0.9239693
not only surpasses expectations but also raises
eyebrows in a manner reminiscent of the Little
Mermaid herself. Such a high correlation suggests a
substantial relationship between the popularity of
the name Ariel and the number of fashion designersin Michigan, akin to two peas in a pod, or should
we say, two fins in the sea?
Furthermore, the robust coefficient of determination(r-squared = 0.8537192) quells any notions of flukeor happenstance and hints at a genuine, substantial
link between these variables. This compellinginsight delves deeper than Poseidon's realm,
shimmering like a treasure trove of empiricalevidence waiting to be plundered.
The statistical significance level of p < 0.01 wields
an authority as binding as any royal decree,affirming that the correlation we've uncovered is not
merely a sea shanty of chance, but a tangible
connection with implications as weighty as a
sunken ship. The accompanying scatterplot (Fig. 1)
illuminates this correlation with a clarity as striking
as a bolt of lightning under the sea, leaving even themost skeptical researcher unable to deny thecompelling nature of this relationship.
In conclusion, our findings not only float the boat ofcuriosity but also beckon future researchers to diveinto the depths of this peculiar correlation andexplore its undercurrents. They cast a net of intrigue
over the waters of sociolinguistics and labor market
dynamics, challenging preconceived notions andprompting scholars to navigate these uncharted
waters with the gusto of a "dinglehopper"
enthusiast. This study sets sail into uncharted seas,
where the name Ariel and the world of fashion
design in Michigan converge in a way that surely

captures our imagination, much like a fairytale
come to life.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the findings of this study make quite
the "splash" in the sea of sociolinguistics and labormarket dynamics, illuminating a correlation as
captivating as a siren's song. The data has given us apeek into the "whirlpool" of influence that the name
Ariel exerts, drawing individuals into the world of
fashion design with a magnetic force as potent as
King Triton's trident.
The robust correlation coefficient, akin to a welltailored suit, indicates a strong association between
the popularity of the name Ariel and the number offashion designers in Michigan. This connection
holds as much water as the Little Mermaid's
kingdom, with approximately 85.37% of thevariability in the number of fashion designers inMichigan dancing to the tune of the name Ariel.
The significance level of p < 0.01 provides
compelling evidence that this correlation is not
merely a "red herring," but a meaningful andtangible connection. The accompanying scatterplot
visually captures this correlation, as crystal clear as
Cinderella's glass slipper glistening at the prince's
ball.
These findings raise the question: could the name
Ariel serve as a "sea witch," casting its spell overindividuals' career choices and guiding them into
the realm of haute couture and avant-garde
creations? While the causative undercurrents of thiscorrelation remain uncharted, the results invite thescientific community to "dive" into the depths ofthis enigmatic connection and explore the ripples it
creates in the fabric of occupational dynamics.
In light of these compelling findings, it can beasserted that further research in this area is
unnecessary. After all, the evidence is as clear as the
potion brewed by Ursula herself – the name Ariel
may indeed hold sway over one's aspirations in theworld of fashion design.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

Thus, it can be concluded that this study has made asignificant "splash" in understanding the interplay
between nomenclature and career paths, shedding
light on the undercurrents that guide individuals
into the realm of fashion design.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research