Nominative determinism
Encyclopedia
Nominative determinism is a comparatively recent term for the theory
that a person's name
can have a significant role in determining key aspects of job, profession or even character. It was a commonly held notion in the ancient world.
Synonyms and/or related concepts include: aptronym
, apronym, aptonym, jobonymns, 'namephreaks', onomastic determinism, 'perfect fit last names' (PFLNs), psychonymics and, classically, the notion that nomen est omen, or όνομα ορίζοντας. Tom Stoppard
in his play Jumpers labelled the phenomenon cognomen syndrome.
A related term, to refer to a name peculiarly suited to its owner, is aptronym
, said to have been coined by the US newspaper columnist
Franklin P. Adams. The distinction between cognitive determinacy and a mere aptronym is seen as subtle but fundamental: i.e. post hoc vs propter hoc
. ND researchers are sometimes referred to as comiconomenclaturists — connoisseurs of humorous names.
in 1994:
An earlier and widely cited instance of the idea that name may significantly influence choice or behaviour is contained in Carl Jung
's seminal 1952 paper on Synchronicity
:
Jung listed striking instances among psychologists — including himself:
Though various social psychologists
and others may have argued that a name can indeed significantly influence a life, New Scientist itself appeared finally to adopt a more equivocal position:
, for example, was an elite hurdler who achieved a world record in 1986. She entered the sport and achieved early athletic success, however, under her maiden name Marina Makeyeva and only later acquired by marriage the strangely more apt name. Since her married name cannot have influenced her earlier life, Marina Stepanova may be regarded as an example of an aptronym
, rather than an instance of nominative determinism.
Theory
The English word theory was derived from a technical term in Ancient Greek philosophy. The word theoria, , meant "a looking at, viewing, beholding", and referring to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action...
that a person's name
Name
A name is a word or term used for identification. Names can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person, and may or may not include a middle name...
can have a significant role in determining key aspects of job, profession or even character. It was a commonly held notion in the ancient world.
Synonyms and/or related concepts include: aptronym
Aptronym
An aptronym is a name aptly suited to its owner. Fictional examples of aptronyms include Mr. Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wiseman in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress , Truman Burbank , the lead character in the 1998 film The Truman Show, the principal cast of the Mr...
, apronym, aptonym, jobonymns, 'namephreaks', onomastic determinism, 'perfect fit last names' (PFLNs), psychonymics and, classically, the notion that nomen est omen, or όνομα ορίζοντας. Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard
Sir Tom Stoppard OM, CBE, FRSL is a British playwright, knighted in 1997. He has written prolifically for TV, radio, film and stage, finding prominence with plays such as Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Professional Foul, The Real Thing, and Rosencrantz and...
in his play Jumpers labelled the phenomenon cognomen syndrome.
A related term, to refer to a name peculiarly suited to its owner, is aptronym
Aptronym
An aptronym is a name aptly suited to its owner. Fictional examples of aptronyms include Mr. Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wiseman in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress , Truman Burbank , the lead character in the 1998 film The Truman Show, the principal cast of the Mr...
, said to have been coined by the US newspaper columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
Franklin P. Adams. The distinction between cognitive determinacy and a mere aptronym is seen as subtle but fundamental: i.e. post hoc vs propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc, Latin for "after this, therefore because of this," is a logical fallacy that states, "Since that event followed this one, that event must have been caused by this one." It is often shortened to simply post hoc and is also sometimes referred to as false cause,...
. ND researchers are sometimes referred to as comiconomenclaturists — connoisseurs of humorous names.
Origin and meaning
The term nominative determinism had its origin in the 'Feedback' column of the British popular science journal New ScientistNew Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
in 1994:
- "We recently came across a new book, Pole Positions - The Polar Regions and the Future of the Planet, by Daniel Snowman. Then, a couple of weeks later, we received a copy of London Under London - A Subterranean Guide, one of the authors of which is Richard Trench. So it was interesting to see Jen Hunt of the University of Manchester stating in the October issue of The Psychologist: "Authors gravitate to the area of research which fits their surname." Hunt's example is an article on incontinence in the British Journal of Urology (vol 49, pp 173-176, 1977) by J. W. Splatt and D. Weedon. (This really does exist. We've checked it).
- We feel it's time to open up this whole issue to rigorous scrutiny. You are invited to send in examples of the phenomenon in the fields of science and technology (with references that check out, please) together with any hypotheses you may have on how it comes about. No prizes, other than seeing your name in print and knowing you have contributed to the advance of human knowledge."
An earlier and widely cited instance of the idea that name may significantly influence choice or behaviour is contained in Carl Jung
Carl Jung
Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of Analytical Psychology. Jung is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view the human psyche as "by nature religious" and make it the focus of exploration. Jung is one of the best known researchers in the field of dream analysis and...
's seminal 1952 paper on Synchronicity
Synchronicity
Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance and that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner...
:
- "We find ourselves in something of a quandary when it comes to making up our minds about the phenomenon which Stekel calls the 'compulsion of the name'. What he means by this is the sometimes quite gross coincidence between a man's name and his peculiarities or profession. For instance ... Herr Feist (Mr Stout) is the food minister, Herr Rosstäuscher (Mr Horsetrader) is a lawyer, Herr Kalberer (Mr Calver) is an obstetrician ... Are these the whimsicalities of chance, or the suggestive effects of the name, as Stekel seems to suggest, or are they 'meaningful coincidences'?"
Jung listed striking instances among psychologists — including himself:
- "Herr Freud (Joy) champions the pleasure principle, Herr Adler (Eagle) the will to power, Herr Jung (Young) the idea of rebirth…"
Though various social psychologists
Social psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
and others may have argued that a name can indeed significantly influence a life, New Scientist itself appeared finally to adopt a more equivocal position:
- "Let the last word go to Andrew Lover, who writes to us expressing the earnest hope that nominative determinism is a real phenomenon. We hope so, too, young Lover."
Spurious nominative determinism
Having a name suited to your job is not, it may be argued, inevitably nominative determinism. Marina StepanovaMarina Stepanova
Marina Stepanova is a former Soviet track and field athlete who was the first woman to run under 53 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles.-Career:...
, for example, was an elite hurdler who achieved a world record in 1986. She entered the sport and achieved early athletic success, however, under her maiden name Marina Makeyeva and only later acquired by marriage the strangely more apt name. Since her married name cannot have influenced her earlier life, Marina Stepanova may be regarded as an example of an aptronym
Aptronym
An aptronym is a name aptly suited to its owner. Fictional examples of aptronyms include Mr. Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wiseman in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress , Truman Burbank , the lead character in the 1998 film The Truman Show, the principal cast of the Mr...
, rather than an instance of nominative determinism.
Examples
- Layne BeachleyLayne BeachleyLayne Beachley is a former professional surfer from Manly, Australia. She won the World Championship seven times.-Surfing career:At the age of 16 Beachley became a professional surfer. By the age of 20 she was ranked sixth in the world. Beachley became the Women's ASP World Champion in 1998, and...
, won the surfing World Championship seven times, Manly beach Australia - William Bishop, 17th century English Roman Catholic Bishop, the only recorded Bishop Bishop in history.
- Usain BoltUsain BoltThe Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
, world 100m and 200m record holder. - Lord Brain, leading neurologist and peer of the realm.
- Christopher CokeChristopher CokeMichael Christopher Coke , also known as Dudus, is a Jamaican drug lord and the leader of the Shower Posse gang. He is the son of drug lord Lester Lloyd Coke...
, drug-dealer - Frances CrookFrances CrookFrances Crook OBE is the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, the oldest penal reform charity in the United Kingdom.-University and Beyond:...
, director of the Howard League for Penal ReformHoward League for Penal ReformThe Howard League for Penal Reform is a London-based registered charity in the United Kingdom. It is the oldest penal reform organisation in the world, named after John Howard. Founded in 1866 as the Howard Association, a merger with the Penal Reform League in 1921 created the Howard League for...
. - Mark De ManMark De ManMark De Man is a Belgian footballer. He is most often deployed as a defensive midfielder but has also been used at centre back or right full back. He has been a regular player at Anderlecht and Belgium. He moved in the 2008/2009 Season to the Dutch Eredivisie side Roda JC for an undisclosed fee...
, Football defender - Carla Dove, Ornithologist
- Amelia EarhartAmelia EarhartAmelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
aviation pioneer; her surname is pronounced air-heart - Eugen FischerEugen FischerEugen Fischer was a German professor of medicine, anthropology and eugenics. He was director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Anthropology, Human Heredity, and Eugenics between 1927 and 1942...
, a Nazi German professor of eugenics. - John FishJohn FishJohn "Jack"/"Jackie" Fish was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1890s and 1900s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
, Marine Biologist at Aberystwyth University. - Bob FlowerdewBob FlowerdewBob Flowerdew is an organic gardener, and television and radio presenter. He is a regular panel member of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time. He has nearly an acre of garden in Dickleburgh, Norfolk, England, where he lives with his wife, Vonetta, a care worker, and their twins, Italia and...
- British gardener and panellist on Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time. - Nick FreemanNick FreemanNick Freeman is an English solicitor. Freeman is the owner of Manchester based legal practice Freeman & Co., and is best known as a celebrity defence lawyer, specialising in traffic and speeding offences.He has been nicknamed "Mr...
, better known as Mr Loophole, a lawyer known for keeping clients free of the nick. - Amy FreezeAmy FreezeAmy Freeze is the weekend meteorologist at WABC-TV in New York. She was the chief meteorologist for Fox owned-and-operated station WFLD in Chicago from 2007–2011....
, TV meteorologist - Peter Fryer, Professor of Food Engineering, University of BirminghamUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
- Dale KickettDale KickettDale Mathew Kickett is a former Australian rules footballer. He is one of only three players, and the only living person to have played for five clubs in the Australian Football League.-Early career:...
, players of Australian Rules FootballAustralian rules footballAustralian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
. - John LawsJohn Laws (judge)Sir John Grant McKenzie Laws , styled The Rt Hon. Lord Justice Laws, has been a Lord Justice of Appeal since 1999.-Early life:...
, a judge in the Court of Appeal - Robin Mahfood, President of Food for the Poor.
- Jim McGovern, Scottish Politician.
- Chris MoneymakerChris MoneymakerChristopher Bryan Moneymaker is an American poker player who won the main event at the 2003 World Series of Poker . His 2003 win is said to have revolutionized poker because he was the first person to become a world champion by qualifying at an online poker site...
makes millions of dollars playing poker around the world - Black RobBlack RobBlack Rob is a rapper who was formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.-Music career:Black Rob began associating with the label as early as 1996, appearing on the Bad Boy remix to 112's "Come See Me"...
, Rapper convicted of Grand LarcenyLarcenyLarceny is a crime involving the wrongful acquisition of the personal property of another person. It was an offence under the common law of England and became an offence in jurisdictions which incorporated the common law of England into their own law. It has been abolished in England and Wales,...
. - Stephen RowbothamStephen RowbothamStephen Christopher Rowbotham is a British rower. He competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in double sculls. Rowbotham was educated at Clifton College and Durham University where he switched from tennis to rowing, having previously represented the UK in tennis....
, Olympic rower for the GB team. - Mark ShuttleworthMark ShuttleworthMark Richard Shuttleworth is a South African entrepreneur who was the second self-funded space tourist. Shuttleworth founded Canonical Ltd. and as of 2010, provides leadership for the Ubuntu operating system...
, entrepreneur, one of the first space tourists. - Anna SmashnovaAnna SmashnovaAnna Smashnova is a former professional tennis player from Israel. She retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon 2007.Smashnova, who has been noted as having a great last name for a tennis player, reached her career-high singles ranking of World # 15 in 2003. She was in 13 finals, and won...
the Israeli tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player. - Larry SpeakesLarry SpeakesLarry M. Speakes is a former acting spokesman for the White House under President Ronald Reagan, having held the position from 1981 to 1987.Speakes was born in Cleveland, Mississippi...
, a Whitehouse spokesman to several Presidents, most notably Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. - Scott SpeedScott SpeedScott Andrew Speed is an American race car driver. Formerly a driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team, he made his Formula One race debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix; becoming the first American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993...
, ex-Formula OneFormula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
race car driver, similarly fellow NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver Lake SpeedLake Speed-Background:Lake was named after the best friend of his father, Bob Lake. Lake's father Leland L. Speed took office as the Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi in 1948, the same year that he was born. He started his racing career at the age of thirteen racing karts, much to the displeasure of his family...
. - J. W. Splatt and D. Weedon, urologists who published several papers on incontinence together.
- Louise Story, New York Times journalist
- Philip Syng PhysickPhilip Syng PhysickPhilip Syng Physick was an American physician born in Philadelphia.-Biography:Physick graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1785, then began the study of medicine under Dr. Adam Kuhn, and continued it in London under Dr. John Hunter, becoming, on January 1, 1790, house surgeon of St....
, American physician born in Philadelphia who died in 1837. - Thistle HarrisThistle Yolette HarrisThistle Yolette Harris , also known as Thistle Stead, was an Australian botanist and conservationist who lectured in biological science at Sydney Teachers’ College. In 1951 she married pioneer conservationist and marine biologist David Stead...
- Australian botanist - John ToryJohn ToryJohn Howard Tory is a Canadian businessman, political activist, former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, former Member of Provincial Parliament and broadcaster...
, former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. In Canada, the members of the federal Conservative Party of CanadaConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
and the provincial Progressive Conservative parties are known as Tories. - Mikhail TsvetMikhail Tsvet-External links:* * Berichte der Deutschen botanischen Gesellschaft 24, 316–323...
, botanist who invented chromatography: his name in Russian means both "flower" and "colour". - Rick WagonerRick WagonerGeorge Richard "Rick" Wagoner, Jr. is an American businessman and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. Wagoner resigned as Chairman and CEO at General Motors on March 29, 2009, at the request of the White House...
, former Chief Executive of General Motors - Ian Watts, head of energy and utilities at a UK data security firm.
- Anthony Weiner, American Congressman, sent explicit photos to women over the Internet
- Arsène WengerArsène WengerArsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
, manager of Arsenal FC - Rob WhitemanRob WhitemanRob Whiteman is a senior UK Civil Servant who works as the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency. He was appointed to this role in 2011.Whiteman had previously worked as the managing director of Local Government Improvement & Development . A job he had been appointed to in 2010...
, chief executive of the UK Border AgencyUK Border AgencyThe UK Border Agency is the border control body of the United Kingdom government and part of the Home Office. It was formed on 1 April 2008 by a merger of the Border and Immigration Agency , UKvisas and the Detection functions of HM Revenue and Customs... - Amy WinehouseAmy WinehouseAmy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
, singer/musician who has made headlines with her alcoholismAlcoholismAlcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing... - John WisdomJohn WisdomArthur John Terence Dibben Wisdom was a leading British philosopher considered to be an ordinary language philosopher, a philosopher of mind and a metaphysician. He was influenced by G.E...
, Cambridge philosopher - Wolfgang WolfWolfgang WolfWolfgang Wolf is a German football coach and a former player.-Career:As a player, he spent 12 seasons in the Bundesliga with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Stuttgarter Kickers.-Coaching career:...
, former manager of GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football club VFL WolfsburgVfL WolfsburgVfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix... - Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
, Golfer - Igor Judge, Baron Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and WalesLord Chief Justice of England and WalesThe Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England and Wales. Historically, he was the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, but that changed as a result of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005,...
External links
- Aptonyms-wiki was Canadian Aptonym Centre
- The Doctor's Names List
- Funny Doctors' Names