Jobs reflecting names (nominative determinism, or aptonyms)

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

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New Scientist magazine coined the terms "nominative determinism" or "aptonyms" to describe the phenomenon of people whose names reflect their jobs - or rather, who end up working in areas that reflect their names (hence the "determinism"!).

An example might be a plumber called Pipe. Real life instances abound.

A great one recently included in New Scientist's 12 February 2005 Feedback section: the noise and vibrations engineer for the Queensland Electricity Commission, Australia used to be someone called Ron Rumble.

Ones I've come across myself - there's a finance director called Stephen Purse. And an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) warden called Partridge.

Added on 17 February 2005: In London there's a dentist called Blood-Smyth. And a surgeon named Hack! More of a homonym for an almost aptonym, but have you heard of the sexologist and author whose surname is Heiman?

Contributions from others to add to the list would be welcome, and will be duly credited - just email me (link in the footer) or post a comment!

Update: for more examples of nominative determinism and other funnies see

Technorati Tags: Humour, Humor, Funny, Aptonyms, Nominative Determinism

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16 Comment(s):

When I was young enough to be dragged to church by my parents, the pastor there was named Reverend Lord.

(By Anonymous, at 16 June, 2005 20:48) Edit Comment

Good lord, no!

(By Improbulus, at 03 July, 2005 18:56) Edit Comment

I know a Gynecologist whose name is Dr. Fred S. Grabiner. I kid you not.

(By thepsychicpilot, at 12 September, 2005 02:45) Edit Comment

That's hilarious, psychic pilot! Wouldn't go to him, I don't think...

(By Improbulus, at 23 September, 2005 22:29) Edit Comment

There's a cosmetic surgeon in America called Dr. Alter.

(By john_hurt, at 08 March, 2006 01:46) Edit Comment

One of the most obvious is music director of the Berliner Philharmoniker Simon Rattle.
Another one, and this might be the opposite of what you're talking about is Cardinal Jaime Sin of the philipines....Cardinal Sin.

(By Jim, at 20 December, 2006 14:50) Edit Comment

Indeed, Jim, Though hopefuly the Berliner Philharmoniker (I like that, "moniker"!) make a better sound than a rattle...

I thought I'd seen a word coined for doing the opposite of your name, like your Cardinal Sin example (though I love the combo of "Cardinal" and "Sin" making up that standard phrase too). I saw it in New Scientist. But I really can't remember what it is! Though I do recall another term New Scientist suggested for "nominative determinism" is "axionyms" or "axionymy" (rather than the more common "aptonym" or "aptronym").

Anti-aptronym? Anti-aptonym?

(By Improbulus, at 23 December, 2006 10:58) Edit Comment

The new weather chick in Chicago on Fox is Amy Freeze; her first day on the job it was like 15 below 0...

(By Anonymous, at 20 March, 2007 19:58) Edit Comment

Thanks anon, great one, very apt indeed - both the name and the circumstances!

(By Improbulus, at 21 March, 2007 22:22) Edit Comment

There's the footballer Robbie Fowler ...

(By crowcity, at 23 November, 2008 15:27) Edit Comment

David Dollar, the World Bank's country director for China

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-12-02-chinas-growth-to-hit-19year-low

(By Gerard, at 09 December, 2008 04:56) Edit Comment

An excellent example must be Lord Judge (formerly Igor Judge) who is now Lord Chief Justice (you don't get much more judgey than that).

I once read a case report with a Sergeant Constable in it.

(By Francis Davey, at 09 December, 2008 09:42) Edit Comment

Excellent indeed, thanks crowcity, Gerard and Francis!

(By Improbulus, at 31 December, 2008 22:40) Edit Comment

The groundskeeper of King's College Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, When I attended, was a Mr Gardener.

(By Anonymous, at 10 March, 2009 05:25) Edit Comment

I know a journalist in Spain caled Dave Bull, which i think is a double bubble...if ya think of it..

(By Anonymous, at 05 October, 2009 02:00) Edit Comment

According to a NY Times article (Councilman Charged With Money Laundering, Feb 9, 2010), a NY councilman has retained a lawyer named Murray Richman. Definitely an appropriate name for a lawyer.

(By Anonymous, at 10 February, 2010 17:17) Edit Comment