An automated name searching
system incorporates an automatic name classifier and a multi-path architecture in which different algorithms are applied based on cultural identity of the query name. The name classifier operates with a preemptive
list, analysis of morphological elements, length, and linguistic rules. A name regularizer produces a character based computational representation of the name. A pronunciation equivalent representation such as an IPA
language representation, and language specific rules to generate name searching keys, are used in a
first pass to eliminate
database entries which are obviously not matches for the query name. The methods can also be implemented as a callable set of
library routines including an intelligent
preprocessor and a name evaluator that produces a
score comparing a query name and
database name, based on a variety of user-adjustable parameters. The user-controlled parameters permit tuning of the search methodologies for specific custom applications.