# Buying A New Species Name Ego Research Funds at Purdue University By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-12-09 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ego-research-funds-vanity-naming-rights-for-new-species References: [chicagotribune](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-species1208dec08,0,3333340.story) If you can cough up enough cash, [Purdue University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brush-creek-distillery) will let you name a turtle or bat species. Harrison Ford did it and named a [butterfly](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/endangered-species-series) “Georgia” after his daughter. Steven Colbert groused enough that he got a species named after him. **Trendhunteraraptor:** *Insatiable hunter/gatherer of the wily trends. Especially diligent and focused species known to lurk in the deep web.* The money Purdue University raises will support [future research into new species](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scientific-studies). **Implications** - The list of bidders has been an eclectic one, including amongst others: a gambling site that named a Bolivian monkey and Stephen Colbert giving a species his own name. Colbert came out on top getting to use his humorous ways to name the species Stephen Colbert. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Charity](https://www.trendhunter.com/charity) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Species Naming:** Allowing individuals or organizations to name new species as means for funding research, creating potential for new revenue streams for institutions. - **Celebrities and Species Naming:** Creating buzz and attention for species conservation efforts by allowing celebrities to name new species after themselves or loved ones. - **Crowdfunding Conservation Research:** Offering people the opportunity to name a new species as a way to raise money for conservation research is a creative and innovative form of crowdfunding. ### Where This Applies - **Conservation:** Adding a naming component to conservation efforts can generate public interest and funding for research and conservation initiatives. - **Higher Education:** Institutions can use creative fundraising opportunities like species naming to generate revenue streams for research and foster community engagement. - **Tourism:** Naming new species can become a tourist attraction, with individuals and organizations bidding on the opportunity to name a new species and possibly visit the location of the new species in the future. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Bank Founder Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmbradley.md) - [Tortoise-Saving Glasses Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/save-the-tortoise-collection.md) - [Brand-Led Endangered Animal Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/endangered-animal-program.md) - [Size-Scaled Block Puzzle Retiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legotruman.md) - [Collaborative Limited-Release Bourbon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brush-creek-distillery.md) - [Turtles-Inspired Stamp Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protect-sea-turtles.md) - [Pop Star-Themed Animals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taylor-swiftthemed-cats.md) - [Plant-Based Turtle Soups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turtle-soup.md) - [Charitable Festive Coffee Blends](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manatee-coffee.md)