Jared Broad,
You are correct by default np is using the "population" version of the formula (ddof=0),
but it allows to set ddof=1 and get the "sample" version.
std = sqrt(mean(x)), where x = abs(a - a.mean())**2
The average squared deviation is typically calculated as
x.sum() / N, where N = len(x) --> "population" version.
If, however, ddof is specified,
The average squared deviation is calculated as Â
x.sum() / (N - ddof), where N = len(x), ddof=1 --> "sample" version.
STD is more likely "population" version.
What about long named StandardDeviation?