Referring to someone by their surname makes them seem more professional and accomplished, a new study has found – and it might be contributing to gender inequality.

In a study published in the journal PNAS, a team from Cornell University found that men are twice as likely to be described by their surname in professional settings such as science, literature and politics.

If you’re referred to by your surname, you’re also more likely to be judged as deserving of a career award, the team also found.

Referring to famous or eminent people by their surnames is common – just think of Shakespeare or Darwin. But men are far more likely to be described in this way; Florence Nightingale, Jane Austen or J.K. Rowling are just three women we refer to by their full names.

This has a significant impact.

“Researchers referred to by surname are judged as more famous and eminent,” they write. “They are consequently seen as higher status and more deserving of eminence-related benefits and awards – for instance, scientists referred to by surname were seen as 14% more deserving of a National Science Foundation career award.”

The surprising side-effect of calling men by their surnames