Nominative determinism
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Nominative determinism (ND) is a term popularized by the magazine New Scientist. It refers to amusing instances where people's names coincidentally reflect some aspect of their jobs, professions or lives. Synomyns include aptronym, apronym, aptonym, jobonymns, namephreaks, onomastic determinism, Perfect Fit Last Names (PFLNs), psychonymics, and classically nomen omen or όνομα ορίζοντας. ND researchers are comiconomenclaturists.
Technically "Mr. Bunn the baker" is ND but real examples are more highly prized, the more obscure the better. Thomas Crapper could be cited as the grandaddy of all ND references, but that is partly based on popular myth.
New Scientist occasionally resumes the publication of these items in its "Feedback" section, and usually has to call a halt soon afterwards as readers send in floods of examples.
Some illustrative true examples include:
- Former Archbishop of Manila: Cardinal Sin
- A mathematics teacher: Mrs Measures
- A history teacher: Mr Nelson
- A geography teacher: Mr Ireland.
- A dentist: Dr Chiew
- The man responsible for all aspects of wildlife on London's underground transport system: Dave Mole.
- A forestry officer: Robin Pollard
- A TV weather presenter: Sara Blizzard
- A lecturer in international peace studies: Iain Atack
- An author on Mountain Navigation: Peter Cliff
- The owner of a firearms store in the Washington state suburb: Robert Bang
- An accounts executive: Betty Billings
- The World Bank country director for China: David Dollar
- A chemist: Kathryn Ions
- Cattle cremator: Helen Cowburn
- Chemistry Teacher: Mr Bunsen
- Woodwork Teacher: Mr Woodhead
- Home Economics Teacher: Mrs Cook
- UN assigned WoMD inspector, the person looking for arms: Hans Blix
- Toledo, OH urologist: Richard Tapper
- Apolo Anton Ohno: Speed skater who was one of four short track speed skaters to crash in the five-person Salt Lake 1000m final. [link]
- Balestra DJ. Dr Doctor calls back. [letter; comment]. JAMA. 269(13):1637, 1993 Apr 7.
- Bennett HJ. A piece of my mind. Calling Dr Doctor. [see comments]. JAMA. 268(21):3060, 1992 Dec 2.
- Casler L. Put the Blame on Name. PSYCHOL REP 36(2:467-472. 1975
- Christenfeld N, Phillips DP, Glynn LM. What's in a name: Mortality and the power of symbols. J PSYCHOSOM RES 47(3):241-254. 1999 sEP
- Cole C. Is work calling your name? GEORGE STREET JOURNAL vol 25. Feb. 9, 2001.
- Dickson P. What's in a name? Merriam-Webster; Springfield MA. 1996.
- Hug Hr. Dr Doctor calls back. JAMA. 269(13):1637, 1993 Apr 7.
- Joubert CE. Factors Related To Individuals Attitudes Toward Their Names. PSYCHOL REP 57 (3): 983-986. 1985
- Luscri G, Mohr PB. Surname effects in judgments of mock jurors. PSYCHOL REP 82 (3): 1023-1026 Part 1. 1998 Jun.
- Murphy, WF. A Note on the Significance of Names. THE PSYCHOLANALYTIC QUARTERLY 26:91-106. 1957.
- Nuessel F. The Study of Names, Greenwood Press, 1994.
- Slovenko R. The Destiny Of A Name. J PSYCHIAT LAW 11 (2): 227-270. 1983.
- Slovenko R.On naming. AM J PSYCHOTHER 34(2):208-19. 1980 Apr.
- Strumpfer DJW. Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Ones Names And Self-Esteem. PSYCHOL REP 43 (3): 699-702. 1978.
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