Spurious correlation #4,953 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Kori and the second variable is Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. The chart goes from 2006 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Kori and the second variable is Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. The chart goes from 2006 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

Perhaps babies named Kori were just naturally drawn to the joy and laughter that the 'pepe' meme brought to the world. As if the sound of the name itself had a magical influence on internet humor trends, it's as if Kori whispered a secret message to anyone who heard it: "Embrace the frog, find the meme-ning of life. Rebbit into the world of internet culture, and you shall find your pepe-tual source of amusement." Before you knew it, Kori and 'pepe' became the un-frog-ettable duo of the decade, hopping their way into the hearts and screens of people everywhere. It's like they say, when life gives you Kori, you find the pepe in every situation!

^{Show image generation prompt} Create a meme inspired by the pepe meme that in some way references Popularity of the first name Kori. Try to emulate the style of the meme - don’t violate the copyright, just make it look and feel like the original meme.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in Popularity of the first name Kori caused Popularity of the 'pepe' meme to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme

Journal of Memetics and Linguistic Trends

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Kori and Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the seemingly inexplicable connection between the popularity of the female first name "Kori" and the notorious "Pepe" meme. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, we employed statistical analyses to examine this peculiar relationship. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2006 to 2022, indicating a robust association between the two phenomena.

Much like the unpredictable nature of the 'Pepe' meme, the unexpected alignment with the name "Kori" puzzled our research team. It appears that the joke was not lost on fate when it came to linking these disparate cultural artifacts. Our results prompt reflection on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and online memes, reminding us that statistical analysis can uncover correlations in the most unexpected places.

Why did the statistics professor bring a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between the popularity of first names and cultural phenomena has long been a topic of fascination and speculation. From celebrity influence to shifting social trends, the ebb and flow of naming practices provides a unique lens through which to observe societal dynamics. In a similarly intriguing fashion, memes have become a ubiquitous and enigmatic aspect of contemporary digital culture, with their emergence and evolution defying easy explanation.
It is in this spirited and somewhat absurd context that we turn our attention to the curious correlation between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. As researchers, we embarked on this study with a healthy dose of skepticism, acknowledging the potential for spurious associations and chance alignments. However, much to our surprise, the data presented a compelling and persistent connection, leaving us with no choice but to delve into this perplexing Kori-lation.
Much like a dad joke, the link between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme is unexpected, slightly groan-inducing, and yet undeniably intriguing. The intersection of these two variables represents an unusual fusion of traditional naming conventions and internet culture, challenging our preconceptions about the nature of naming trends and meme phenomena. One might say it's a statistical "pun"-dertaking of sorts, as we seek to unravel the threads of this unexpected correlation.
Speaking of statistical puns, why did the statistician go to art school? To study the distribution of crayon colors in a box!
As we venture into the realm of data analysis and quantitative exploration, it becomes clear that this investigation is not merely an exercise in whimsy. The statistical underpinnings of our inquiry provide a solid foundation for probing this peculiar Kori-lation and its implications for our understanding of sociocultural phenomena. Through rigorous methodologies and robust inferential techniques, we aim to shed light on this improbable yet statistically significant relationship.
Our study serves as a reminder that the world of research is not immune to moments of unexpected discovery and amusement. Just as a clever pun can brighten a dry statistical analysis, the surprising interconnectedness of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme adds a touch of levity to the sometimes solemn pursuit of knowledge. We approach this investigation with a blend of scholarly rigor and lighthearted curiosity, embracing the delightful absurdity of our chosen subject matter.
And finally, why did the researcher always bring a pencil to the lab? In case they needed to draw a conclusion!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The relationship between the popularity of first names and cultural phenomena has been an area of interest for scholars across various disciplines. Smith et al. (2010) examined the dynamics of name trends in relation to societal shifts, highlighting the nuanced interplay between individual choices and broader cultural influences. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2015) discussed the symbolic significance attached to names and their resonance within social contexts, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of naming practices.

Transitioning from the empirical studies to a more theoretical perspective, "The Power of Names" by Johnson (2008) explores the symbolic and psychological dimensions of naming, delving into the profound impact that names can have on personal identity and perception. The intersection of psychology and nomenclature provides a compelling backdrop for our investigation into the unexpected connection between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme.

Turning to the realm of fiction, the novel "Name Games" by Writer (2012) presents a whimsical tale of serendipitous name associations and their ripple effects in the lives of the characters. While purely a work of literary imagination, the book offers an amusing backdrop against which to contemplate the inexplicable Kori-lation that has captured our scholarly attention.

On a tangential but contextual note, the playful animation series "Meme Adventures" and the children's show "Name Detectives" introduce impressionable audiences to the playful world of internet memes and the whimsical mysteries of name connotations. Though not scholarly sources, these cultural artifacts provide an entertaining context for exploring the unexpected convergence of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme, inviting a more light-hearted perspective on our research endeavor.

In a surprising turn of events, it appears that the statistical analysis of the Kori-lation and the 'Pepe' meme has brought us full circle to the realm of dad jokes and whimsical musings. The curious marriage of scholarly inquiry and lighthearted humor in our literature review reflects the delightful absurdity of our subject matter, echoing the unexpected interplay between statistical significance and playful curiosity.

Much like the unpredictable nature of memes and the whimsy of wordplay, our review has navigated a winding path through empirical studies, theoretical reflections, and cultural touchpoints, weaving a narrative that mirrors the peculiar Kori-lation we seek to unravel. As we venture further into the statistical depths of this unusual association, we embrace the zany spirit of inquiry and the playful embrace of the unexpected, reminiscent of a well-timed dad joke in the midst of a scholarly discussion.

And as we conclude this literature review, let us part with one final pun: What did the enthusiastic statistician say about the 'Pepe' meme and the name "Kori"? It's statistically significant, but don't meme too much into it!

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Kori and Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from US Social Security Administration and Google Trends . You used data from 2006 to 2022

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the seemingly inexplicable connection between the popularity of the female first name "Kori" and the notorious "Pepe" meme. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, we employed statistical analyses to examine this peculiar relationship. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2006 to 2022, indicating a robust association between the two phenomena.

Much like the unpredictable nature of the 'Pepe' meme, the unexpected alignment with the name "Kori" puzzled our research team. It appears that the joke was not lost on fate when it came to linking these disparate cultural artifacts. Our results prompt reflection on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and online memes, reminding us that statistical analysis can uncover correlations in the most unexpected places.

Why did the statistics professor bring a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between the popularity of first names and cultural phenomena has long been a topic of fascination and speculation. From celebrity influence to shifting social trends, the ebb and flow of naming practices provides a unique lens through which to observe societal dynamics. In a similarly intriguing fashion, memes have become a ubiquitous and enigmatic aspect of contemporary digital culture, with their emergence and evolution defying easy explanation.
It is in this spirited and somewhat absurd context that we turn our attention to the curious correlation between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. As researchers, we embarked on this study with a healthy dose of skepticism, acknowledging the potential for spurious associations and chance alignments. However, much to our surprise, the data presented a compelling and persistent connection, leaving us with no choice but to delve into this perplexing Kori-lation.
Much like a dad joke, the link between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme is unexpected, slightly groan-inducing, and yet undeniably intriguing. The intersection of these two variables represents an unusual fusion of traditional naming conventions and internet culture, challenging our preconceptions about the nature of naming trends and meme phenomena. One might say it's a statistical "pun"-dertaking of sorts, as we seek to unravel the threads of this unexpected correlation.
Speaking of statistical puns, why did the statistician go to art school? To study the distribution of crayon colors in a box!
As we venture into the realm of data analysis and quantitative exploration, it becomes clear that this investigation is not merely an exercise in whimsy. The statistical underpinnings of our inquiry provide a solid foundation for probing this peculiar Kori-lation and its implications for our understanding of sociocultural phenomena. Through rigorous methodologies and robust inferential techniques, we aim to shed light on this improbable yet statistically significant relationship.
Our study serves as a reminder that the world of research is not immune to moments of unexpected discovery and amusement. Just as a clever pun can brighten a dry statistical analysis, the surprising interconnectedness of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme adds a touch of levity to the sometimes solemn pursuit of knowledge. We approach this investigation with a blend of scholarly rigor and lighthearted curiosity, embracing the delightful absurdity of our chosen subject matter.
And finally, why did the researcher always bring a pencil to the lab? In case they needed to draw a conclusion!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The methodology employed in this research endeavor aimed to rigorously examine the association between the popularity of the first name "Kori" and the prevalence of the 'Pepe' meme using a combination of data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends. The dataset covered the years 2006 to 2022 and included an extensive array of statistical analyses and computational techniques.

To initiate the investigation, the first step involved collecting historical records of birth names from the US Social Security Administration to ascertain the frequency and distribution of the name "Kori" over the specified timeframe. Utilizing this treasure trove of nomenclatural data, the team meticulously documented the fluctuating popularity of the name, uncovering intriguing patterns and trends. It was as if Kori-nary forces were at play in the realm of nomenclature, guiding our exploration.

Subsequently, Google Trends was employed to track the temporal dynamics of the 'Pepe' meme, capturing its emergence, proliferation, and perhaps unanticipated endurance across the digital landscape. The analysis of meme-related search queries and online engagement yielded a wealth of quantitative insights, painting a vivid picture of the meme's cultural resonance. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a meme must be worth a million data points.

The statistical analyses commenced with the calculation of correlation coefficients to assess the strength and direction of the relationship between the popularity of the name "Kori" and the frequency of 'Pepe' meme searches. The emergence of a substantial correlation coefficient elicited both professional admiration and a fair share of eyebrow-raising, reminiscent of the reactions elicited by a cleverly constructed pun.

In addition to correlation analyses, linear regression models were fitted to the data to further elucidate the complex interplay between the two variables. The regression models provided valuable insights into the predictive nature of the relationship, allowing for the exploration of potential causal pathways and underlying mechanisms. It's as if the variables were engaged in a statistical tango, with each step revealing new nuances of their connection.

Furthermore, time-series analyses were conducted to capture the temporal dynamics of the association, unraveling the evolving nature of the Kori-'Pepe' nexus over the years. This temporal lens offered a glimpse into the dynamic interplay of cultural phenomena and naming trends, akin to observing the evolution of a robust scientific theory over time. It's not every day that one gets to witness the unfolding drama of data-driven cultural interaction.

Lastly, sensitivity analyses and robustness checks were performed to ensure the reliability and generalizability of the findings, guarding against the specter of statistical anomalies and spurious correlations. The results held firm under scrutiny, standing as a resilient testament to the robustness of the Kori-'Pepe' relationship. It seems that this connection is more than just a statistical fluke – it's a bona fide statistical marvel.

In conclusion, the methodological approach adopted in this study combined meticulous data collection, sophisticated statistical analyses, and a generous dash of statistical humor to unravel the enigmatic bond between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. This approach not only secured the validity of the findings but also injected a sense of scientific whimsy into the investigation, showcasing the playful side of quantitative inquiry. For as we delve into the esoteric realms of statistics, a well-placed pun or unexpected correlation can be a ray of statistical sunshine in the world of empirical darkness.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Kori and Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
"Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the seemingly inexplicable connection between the popularity of the female first name "Kori" and the notorious "Pepe" meme. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, we employed statistical analyses to examine this peculiar relationship. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2006 to 2022, indicating a robust association between the two phenomena.

Much like the unpredictable nature of the 'Pepe' meme, the unexpected alignment with the name "Kori" puzzled our research team. It appears that the joke was not lost on fate when it came to linking these disparate cultural artifacts. Our results prompt reflection on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and online memes, reminding us that statistical analysis can uncover correlations in the most unexpected places.

Why did the statistics professor bring a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The relationship between the popularity of first names and cultural phenomena has been an area of interest for scholars across various disciplines. Smith et al. (2010) examined the dynamics of name trends in relation to societal shifts, highlighting the nuanced interplay between individual choices and broader cultural influences. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2015) discussed the symbolic significance attached to names and their resonance within social contexts, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of naming practices.
Transitioning from the empirical studies to a more theoretical perspective, "The Power of Names" by Johnson (2008) explores the symbolic and psychological dimensions of naming, delving into the profound impact that names can have on personal identity and perception. The intersection of psychology and nomenclature provides a compelling backdrop for our investigation into the unexpected connection between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme.
Turning to the realm of fiction, the novel "Name Games" by Writer (2012) presents a whimsical tale of serendipitous name associations and their ripple effects in the lives of the characters. While purely a work of literary imagination, the book offers an amusing backdrop against which to contemplate the inexplicable Kori-lation that has captured our scholarly attention.
On a tangential but contextual note, the playful animation series "Meme Adventures" and the children's show "Name Detectives" introduce impressionable audiences to the playful world of internet memes and the whimsical mysteries of name connotations. Though not scholarly sources, these cultural artifacts provide an entertaining context for exploring the unexpected convergence of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme, inviting a more light-hearted perspective on our research endeavor.
In a surprising turn of events, it appears that the statistical analysis of the Kori-lation and the 'Pepe' meme has brought us full circle to the realm of dad jokes and whimsical musings. The curious marriage of scholarly inquiry and lighthearted humor in our literature review reflects the delightful absurdity of our subject matter, echoing the unexpected interplay between statistical significance and playful curiosity.
Much like the unpredictable nature of memes and the whimsy of wordplay, our review has navigated a winding path through empirical studies, theoretical reflections, and cultural touchpoints, weaving a narrative that mirrors the peculiar Kori-lation we seek to unravel. As we venture further into the statistical depths of this unusual association, we embrace the zany spirit of inquiry and the playful embrace of the unexpected, reminiscent of a well-timed dad joke in the midst of a scholarly discussion.
And as we conclude this literature review, let us part with one final pun: What did the enthusiastic statistician say about the 'Pepe' meme and the name "Kori"? It's statistically significant, but don't meme too much into it!

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the relationship between the popularity of the first name "Kori" and the prevalence of the 'Pepe' meme revealed a remarkably strong correlation. Over the time period from 2006 to 2022, the correlation coefficient was found to be 0.9371605, indicating a robust positive association. This correlation is statistically significant, as evidenced by an r-squared value of 0.8782699 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting that less than 1% of the observed correlation can be attributed to random chance.
The correlation between "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme is as unexpected as finding a pun in a statistical report - it's statistically significant and also a bit of a groaner. However, this prominence in the data cannot be denied, much like a good dad joke at a family gathering.
Fig. 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the striking correlation between the popularity of the name "Kori" and the occurrence of the 'Pepe' meme. The strong positive relationship depicted in the scatterplot further emphasizes the substantial association revealed through statistical analysis, leaving little room for doubt regarding the perplexing Kori-lation examined in this study.
This unexpected correlation prompts us to consider the underlying dynamics that could explain the curious connection between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. It's as though fate decided to play a statistical joke on us, revealing an unexpected resonance between these seemingly disparate cultural elements.
What do you get when you cross a statistics professor with a comedian? Someone who can't deliver a punchline without a p-value!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The robust correlation identified between the popularity of the first name "Kori" and the prevalence of the 'Pepe' meme provides compelling evidence of an unexpected link between these seemingly unrelated cultural phenomena. The statistical significance of this association, with a p-value of less than 0.01, corroborates the findings put forth by Smith et al. (2010) and Doe and Jones (2015) concerning the interconnected nature of name trends and cultural symbols. The undeniable resonance between "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme parallels the surprising revelations witnessed in the field of statistical analysis, reminding us that even the most peculiar relationships can be substantiated through rigorous inquiry. It's almost as if the statistical gods decided to play a prank on us, revealing an unexpected harmony between these apparently incongruous entities.

The substantial correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 echoes the profound impact that names and cultural phenomena can exert on societal consciousness, aligning with the theoretical perspectives espoused by Johnson (2008) on the meaningful dimensions of naming practices. It's as though the statistical analysis decided to join the name game, revealing a compelling interplay between the choice of a moniker and its unexpected resonance within online cultural expressions.

The whimsical nature of our findings reflects the playful spirit exhibited in the literature reviewed, particularly the alternate reality presented in the fictitious "Name Games" by Writer (2012). The unexpected convergence of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme mirrors the delightful quirks encountered in the world of statistical inquiry, shedding light on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and the capricious sway of internet memes. It's as if the statistical analysis embarked on its own meme adventure, uncovering the delightful absurdity of these unexpected correlations.

It appears that our results have brought us full circle to the playful musings and dad jokes interwoven throughout our literature review. The unexpected but robust Kori-lation can be seen as a statistical equivalent of a well-timed dad joke - both surprising and oddly satisfying in their unanticipated resonance. This unexpected interplay between rigorous analysis and whimsical insights underscores the captivating fusion of scholarly inquiry and light-hearted humor, demonstrating how statistical significance can be as delightfully perplexing as a well-crafted pun.

As we delve deeper into the implications of our findings, it is imperative to approach the interpretation of these results with a balanced blend of statistical rigor and a hint of whimsy. After all, as our research has demonstrated, even the most improbable connections can hold significant weight, much like a good dad joke - statistically significant, but with an element of delightful surprise.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Kori and Popularity of the 'pepe' meme. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the seemingly inexplicable connection between the popularity of the female first name "Kori" and the notorious "Pepe" meme. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, we employed statistical analyses to examine this peculiar relationship. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2006 to 2022, indicating a robust association between the two phenomena.

Much like the unpredictable nature of the 'Pepe' meme, the unexpected alignment with the name "Kori" puzzled our research team. It appears that the joke was not lost on fate when it came to linking these disparate cultural artifacts. Our results prompt reflection on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and online memes, reminding us that statistical analysis can uncover correlations in the most unexpected places.

Why did the statistics professor bring a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The relationship between the popularity of first names and cultural phenomena has long been a topic of fascination and speculation. From celebrity influence to shifting social trends, the ebb and flow of naming practices provides a unique lens through which to observe societal dynamics. In a similarly intriguing fashion, memes have become a ubiquitous and enigmatic aspect of contemporary digital culture, with their emergence and evolution defying easy explanation.
It is in this spirited and somewhat absurd context that we turn our attention to the curious correlation between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. As researchers, we embarked on this study with a healthy dose of skepticism, acknowledging the potential for spurious associations and chance alignments. However, much to our surprise, the data presented a compelling and persistent connection, leaving us with no choice but to delve into this perplexing Kori-lation.
Much like a dad joke, the link between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme is unexpected, slightly groan-inducing, and yet undeniably intriguing. The intersection of these two variables represents an unusual fusion of traditional naming conventions and internet culture, challenging our preconceptions about the nature of naming trends and meme phenomena. One might say it's a statistical "pun"-dertaking of sorts, as we seek to unravel the threads of this unexpected correlation.
Speaking of statistical puns, why did the statistician go to art school? To study the distribution of crayon colors in a box!
As we venture into the realm of data analysis and quantitative exploration, it becomes clear that this investigation is not merely an exercise in whimsy. The statistical underpinnings of our inquiry provide a solid foundation for probing this peculiar Kori-lation and its implications for our understanding of sociocultural phenomena. Through rigorous methodologies and robust inferential techniques, we aim to shed light on this improbable yet statistically significant relationship.
Our study serves as a reminder that the world of research is not immune to moments of unexpected discovery and amusement. Just as a clever pun can brighten a dry statistical analysis, the surprising interconnectedness of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme adds a touch of levity to the sometimes solemn pursuit of knowledge. We approach this investigation with a blend of scholarly rigor and lighthearted curiosity, embracing the delightful absurdity of our chosen subject matter.
And finally, why did the researcher always bring a pencil to the lab? In case they needed to draw a conclusion!

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the relationship between the popularity of the first name "Kori" and the prevalence of the 'Pepe' meme revealed a remarkably strong correlation. Over the time period from 2006 to 2022, the correlation coefficient was found to be 0.9371605, indicating a robust positive association. This correlation is statistically significant, as evidenced by an r-squared value of 0.8782699 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting that less than 1% of the observed correlation can be attributed to random chance.
The correlation between "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme is as unexpected as finding a pun in a statistical report - it's statistically significant and also a bit of a groaner. However, this prominence in the data cannot be denied, much like a good dad joke at a family gathering.
Fig. 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the striking correlation between the popularity of the name "Kori" and the occurrence of the 'Pepe' meme. The strong positive relationship depicted in the scatterplot further emphasizes the substantial association revealed through statistical analysis, leaving little room for doubt regarding the perplexing Kori-lation examined in this study.
This unexpected correlation prompts us to consider the underlying dynamics that could explain the curious connection between the name "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme. It's as though fate decided to play a statistical joke on us, revealing an unexpected resonance between these seemingly disparate cultural elements.
What do you get when you cross a statistics professor with a comedian? Someone who can't deliver a punchline without a p-value!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the present study has unveiled a substantial and statistically significant correlation between the popularity of the first name "Kori" and the prevalence of the 'Pepe' meme. This unexpected Kori-lation reflects a fusion of traditional naming conventions and digital cultural phenomena, akin to stumbling upon a statistical pun - amusing, unlikely, and yet unmistakably real. The correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and the p-value of less than 0.01 underscore the robustness of this association, leaving little room for doubt regarding the perplexing link between these variables.

As we reflect on the peculiar convergence of "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme, it seems that fate decided to indulge in a statistical jest, revealing an unsuspected resonance between these seemingly unrelated entities. In the spirit of statistical humor, one might say this correlation is as undeniable as a classic dad joke - eliciting a groan, yet captivating attention with its unexpected twist.

However, as much as we could revel in the statistical whimsy of this Kori-lation, it is imperative to recognize that no further research is needed in this area. The statistical connection has been established, and the unexpected bond between "Kori" and the 'Pepe' meme stands as a peculiar yet intriguing testament to the playful quirks of cultural phenomena. After all, why beat a statistical dead horse?

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Memetics and Linguistic Trends

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Linguistic and Cultural Entanglements

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme with an abstract of This study investigates the seemingly inexplicable connection between the popularity of the female first name "Kori" and the notorious "Pepe" meme. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration and Google Trends, we employed statistical analyses to examine this peculiar relationship. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9371605 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2006 to 2022, indicating a robust association between the two phenomena.
Much like the unpredictable nature of the 'Pepe' meme, the unexpected alignment with the name "Kori" puzzled our research team. It appears that the joke was not lost on fate when it came to linking these disparate cultural artifacts. Our results prompt reflection on the idiosyncrasies of name popularity and online memes, reminding us that statistical analysis can uncover correlations in the most unexpected places.
Why did the statistics professor bring a ladder to the bar? He heard the drinks were on the house!

ChatGPT:

"Kori name popularity," "Pepe meme correlation," "US Social Security Administration data analysis," "Google Trends statistical analysis," "unusual name popularity trends," "cultural artifact correlations," "statistics and unexpected correlations," "online memes and name associations"

*There is a bunch of Python happening behind the scenes to turn this prompt sequence into a PDF.

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Data details

Popularity of the first name Kori
Detailed data title: Babies of all sexes born in the US named Kori
Source: US Social Security Administration
See what else correlates with Popularity of the first name Kori

Popularity of the 'pepe' meme
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'pepe' (without quotes, in the United States)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: ^{See full details} Relative search volume is a unique Google thing; the shape of the chart is accurate but the actual numbers are meaningless.

See what else correlates with Popularity of the 'pepe' meme

Correlation r = 0.9371605 (Pearson correlation coefficient)
Correlation is a measure of how much the variables move together. If it is 0.99, when one goes up the other goes up. If it is 0.02, the connection is very weak or non-existent. If it is -0.99, then when one goes up the other goes down. If it is 1.00, you probably messed up your correlation function.

r² = 0.8782699 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 87.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Popularity of the 'pepe' meme) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Kori) over the 17 years from 2006 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.0E-8.^Show 0.0000000296383311559051000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.94 in 3.0E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 33,740,091 random variables^Note You don't actually need 33 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 16 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 16 because we have two variables measured over a period of 17 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.83, 0.98 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!

All values for the years included above: ^Note If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Popularity of the first name Kori (Babies born)	235	259	241	248	236	263	252	286	368	468	503	458	408	414	378	473	413
Popularity of the 'pepe' meme (Relative popularity)	18.25	19.5833	21.8333	29.75	35.0833	24.3333	25.5833	26.75	30.75	58.1667	61.0833	51.8333	45.5833	47.5	43.75	52.1667	49.8333

Why this works

Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
Lack of causal connection: There is probably^Note Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple^Note Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.

Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. ^{Show the steps to do this.} Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."

# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([235,259,241,248,236,263,252,286,368,468,503,458,408,414,378,473,413,])
array_2 = np.array([18.25,19.5833,21.8333,29.75,35.0833,24.3333,25.5833,26.75,30.75,58.1667,61.0833,51.8333,45.5833,47.5,43.75,52.1667,49.8333,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Kori"
array_2_name = "Popularity of the 'pepe' meme"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
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Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only Popularity of the first name Kori
Line chart for only Popularity of the 'pepe' meme
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Kori-lation or Coincidence: Exploring the Link Between the Popularity of the Name Kori and the 'Pepe' Meme

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Correlation ID: 4953 · Black Variable ID: 3237 · Red Variable ID: 25152


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