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Identity and Institutional Change: Evidence from First Names in Germany, 1700–1850

Author

Listed:
  • Weigand, Matthias
  • Mohr, Cathrin
  • Cantoni, Davide

Abstract

How does culture respond to institutional change? We study the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire (1789–1815), when half of Central Europe changed rulers. Using 44 million birth records from hundreds of cities between 1700 and 1850, we measure cultural traits in real time. Cities that experienced ruler change saw greater naming turnover, dispersion, and novelty. We construct control groups using diplomatic records to isolate these effects, which emerged immediately and persisted. The collapse of hegemonic authority weakened state-aligned identities while strengthening religiosity and nationalism. These shifts undermined subsequent state building, highlighting challenges of ideological integration after regime change.

Suggested Citation

  • Weigand, Matthias & Mohr, Cathrin & Cantoni, Davide, 2025. "Identity and Institutional Change: Evidence from First Names in Germany, 1700–1850," CEPR Discussion Papers 20715, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:20715
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP20715
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    Cited by:

    1. Guillaume Blanc, 2026. "The Cultural Origins of the Demographic Transition in France," Discussion Papers dp26-11, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University.
    2. Jesús Fernández-Villaverde & Carlos Sanz, 2026. "Social Sorting and Political Cleavages: Evidence from 2.5 Million Electoral Candidates," PIER Working Paper Archive 26-017, Penn Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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