In Quirkology I discussed how people’s names appear related to their career choice, citing example of an underwater archaeologist called Bass, a relationship counsellor called Breedlove, a taxation expert named Due, a medic examining diseases of the vulva called Hyman, an educational psychologist studying parental pressure called Mumpower, music teachers Miss Beat and Miss Sharp, members of the British Meteorological office called Flood, Frost, Thundercliffe and Weatherall, a sex counsellor named Lust, Peter Atchoo the pneumonia specialist, a firm of lawyers named Lawless and Lynch, private detectives Wyre and Tapping, and the head of a psychiatric hospital, Dr. McNutt.
Now there is a nice article on the BBC (thanks David) discussing people with unfortunate names, including Justin Case, Barb Dwyer, Stan Still, Terry Bull, Paige Turner, Mary Christmas, Doug Hole and Hazel Nutt.
I am happy with Wiseman (“This long-established surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century “wys”, meaning “wise”, and “mann”, a man, and was originally given as a nickname to a wise and learned man), but has your name influenced your life? Are you happy with it or would you like to change your name?
According to family research done by my uncle, my father’s father’s father’s father’s mother’s mother’s father’s name was Richard Wiseman. He was born in Shoreditch in 1747, so I don’t think he was you, but you’re remarkably well-preserved if I’m wrong about that…
My surname is Cownie. If I ever change it (aside from getting married) I’m changing it to Cowney, as that’s how people choose to spell it anyway!
Somehow, I’ve always been grateful for NOT having a middle name. What’s the point?
My Surname is Titmanis. It’s Latvian in origin…though I have no idea of its meaning.
As you can imagine the meaning is irrelevant with a name like that. The only way to deal with it was to embrace it. Now I wouldn’t even consider changing it, though I suspect any future wife might have reservations.
It has become a part of who I am…… The Titman
TT, I don’t think another post will top yours, so I won’t try. But you must have a great time picking up women. What alot of oneliners you must have…
I really love nominative determinism. It just gives me the same warm, pleased sensation as instances of fortuitous synchronicity. I’m personally aware of a Psychiatrist called Professor Nutt, and an anaesthetist called Mr Sleep. But I’m also fascinated by its inverse, which does seem (there’s a precise term!) to work more effectively for first names. Perhaps there are more direct parental aspirations to rebel against? But, hence the reason not to name your daughter Chastity, or Beauty. It’ll all end in tears – unless you call her Dierdre, perhaps…?
Then those really quite unnerving examples of first and surname pairings so beloved of joke books and thoughtless parents. What happened to the days when a name was a special and magical word of power? Not a brand to show off until it’s out of fashion, or a moment’s whim with no thought to the problems Shania Hayley Iman Tyler may encounter as they go through life…
I’ve called my eldest daughters Katharine and Elizabeth deliberately to give them the widest options should they feel dissatisfied with their nomenclature at any point in their lives. I think we all do at some point in growing up, but there’s a difference between being one of many Amy’s or Jessica’s, or a boring Jane or Susan (tho now unusual and potentially exotic, and perhaps soon to be quaint), or an often mispelled and constantly repeated Shardonnay, Demy-Lee or Chelsy. Or even, for arguments sake, Niamh… Is it cruel to give your child an odd or unusual name? Fuel for bullies or strengthening and character building?
(Sorry to ramble, but a favourite subject, and a book in progress…)
Yes, i wish i had been called something else really, its been difficult to make my name sound like my own if that makes any sense.
My name conjures up completely irrelevant associations for other people when I meet them. Ive never had an introduction in my life without a comment/gag of some description, which are of course lighthearted and amusing, if a tad repetitious and boring.
Frustrating actually, when I meet people Id rather have an alternative initial contact than discussing my famous namesake.
I had a junior high teacher named Miss Painter–she taught art. Also, there is a man here in town that is named Kelly Green. What were his parents thinking?
It has always amused me that one of the hosts of The Naked Scientists, Helen Scales, is a marine biologists.
I had a teacher named “Craftsman”, and he taught technical of theater design, i.e. carpentry. I had an English teacher called “Bacon” and she was obese. I also know of a PhD fellow named “Fish” who studies marine biology.
I’m fine with my name. I just wish more people could pronounce “Ts-” properly. It was the name of a country in ancient China. Nowadays, 6 million people bear this name (spelling in English varies), and all from one single origin. Kinda amazing! A man can have 6 million living offspring in 2500 years time! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeng
I one had a college professor named Dick Butz, always wonder why he didn’t go by Richard. I figure he was either trying to beat everyone to the punchline or he was advertising.
Now, as to my name, I have taken some herbology courses. And, although not a big fan of marriage, I find myself wanting to propose to Richard Wiseman – just for the name
My name apparently means “Pearl by the sea”, which is nicely poetic.
I used to work with a scientist who worked in plant seed search. Her name is Leah Seed.
Essers: Me and my younger sister are Katherine and Elizabeth. I have always insisted on Katherine and hate it being shortened by people who think they are being friendly. My sister on the other hand has been through several incarnations including Beth and Lizzie before finally settling on Liz. Wonder what this says about our different psychologies or am I just fortunate I got a name I like.
Wisniewski, which can be roughly translated as “from the town of the cherry tree.”. No joke. I’m rather fond of it but anyone trying to read it out loud never is.
I once had a primary school teacher called Mrs Secks… which didn’t raise an eyebrow among the under-8s in her classes (not sure how long she’d have stayed in teaching if she’d been at a secondary school..). My surname is Lewcock, which sounds like it should be prime comedy material but I’ve had very little stick for it thus far (touch wood)..
We had a biology teacher called Mr Childs. He was always known simply as Roth. I only ‘got it’ about 15 years later.
I just read a good one. James R Hedges IV of the LJH Gobal Investment firm…
My surname is Mullenbach. It means: milling stream or the stream that flows by the mill. It doesn’t really have anything to do with my profession in marketing although many of my ancestors were farmers.
My surname is Jinks, and I very nearly became a doctor, but now I’m a science teacher at an international school and non of my students find it odd anymore!
My favourite is a famous English stuntman named Stuart Fell, though William Wordsworth probably gets the prize for being the most famous.
Incidentally, there’s a name for this: “aptonym”.
Came across an NVQ assessor today whose name is Jo King. What does this say about NVQs?
I understand that New Scientist magazine have a large collection of examples of nominative determinism. (NS may have even coined that very term in their “Feedback” page).
They keep insisting that the topic is closed to further additions, but can’t help themselves when another stunner is revealed!
I wonder what your fellow pom Tony Hancock would have said about the aptness or otherwise of his moniker?
I’ve always hated my name “Ashley Dutton” sounds very plain and dull, hence Alex Pryce came about a few years back. Pryce is my original surname anyway (but with an I not a Y) and I’ve always liked Alex. When I started acting I wanted something that could “sell” and Dutton just didn’t work, how many successful Duttons or even Ashleys do you know? Come to think of it, how many successful Alex Pryce’s have you heard of lol!
After looking at my family tree I have a Vincent Saxton as a past relative- but I’m not cool enough to carry that off, I’m happy with Alex Pryce!
My surname is Bowman but I’m an art student with no desire to to learn archery. However my Dad was very good at archery and got nicknamed “Bow” lol.
My surname means “a small ball of congealed fat” and my father is a dietitian.
Like some others here I have problems with people spelling my name incorrectly.
I have noticed that a lot of people with large variations in how you can pronounce their name tend to like one version and dislike all others.
Examples:
Kathryn, Katy, Kathy
Liz, Beth, Elizabeth
Amanda, Mandy
Anthony, Ant, Tony
Richard, Dick
Everybody I have ever known with one of these names has liked one version and hated all the rest. For names that have less different variations (such as David and Dave) the people with those names seem not to care as much which one people use.
I had a teacher called Wayne King Dickinson… he was a good teacher.
teachers I disliked were:
Mrs Cowling (she was such a cow)
Mrs Boscy (she really liked telling us what to do)
My friend’s GP is called Dr Love…
My sister married a chap called Speer and always threatened to call their son William Jake. Alas, they have four daughters…
I just want to point out that Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post is a big fan of aptonyms. Just a little tip from a fellow Wiseman.
In my school, there is a:
Mr.Amps – teacher of electronics
Mr.Newton – teacher of physics
Miss.Petri – teacher of biology (as in, Petri dishes)
Very amusing.
how about rydonna steed. hahahahha
[...] was a commonly held philosophy in the ancient world. However, perhaps ironically given his surname, Richard Wiseman did a great job of debunking this in his book Quirkology. In a further twist of irony it is as I [...]
[...] Wiseman – psychologist, illusionist, sceptic, and proponent (and case study) ofnominative determinism* – writes in his book :59 Seconds – Think a Little, Change a Lot that documenting your [...]
I believe my name literally means Gray Stone, My last name meant Eagle in English. Surprisingly from my grandfather (some of his siblings) to my father and his siblings most of them work in the Aviation Industry. I once was so decided to follow their foot steps but my father wouldn’t allow me.