Subj : Re: Detecting if 2 names are probably the same
To   : comp.lang.smalltalk,comp.programming
From : Thad Smith
Date : Wed Jul 20 2005 10:41 am

Rob Thorpe wrote:
> Fernando wrote:
>
>>Is there any algorithm todetect if 2 names are probably the same? For
>>example, 'Michael Brown' and 'Mike Brown'.
> 
> After you've looked up Soundex, also look up "edit distance algorithms".

I think a nickname lookup would be needed to work well.  Soundex won't 
match William and Bill, Dick and Richard, etc.

Thad

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