Ever heard of a lawyer named Soo Yu or a gastroenterologist named Daniel Butt? These folks might just be prime examples of something called nominative determinism. It’s a fancy term for when people seem to gravitate towards jobs or hobbies that fit their names. Get ready for some funny coincidences!
Carl Jung, a famous psychiatrist, first floated the idea that our names might nudge us toward certain paths. Since then, both doctors and psychologists have found the concept pretty interesting. The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology even suggested that our names actually do impact our choices in life. So, whether we realize it or not, our names could be a roadmap to our future.
Whether it’s a conscious choice or just a funny twist of fate, there are tons of examples where people’s names and their callings line up in the most unexpected ways. Let’s dive into some of the funniest ones!
Tito Beveridge
In 2001, Tito’s Handmade Vodka snagged a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and then exploded onto the scene in America and Canada, becoming the top vodka brand in the U.S. by 2022.
The company hit a snag in 2014 when it was sued for calling itself “handmade,” since it was made in a huge industrial complex instead of being bottled individually. But, by 2016, the lawsuits were tossed out, and Tito’s kept climbing in popularity.
Let’s be honest, with a name like Bert “Tito” Beveridge, how could he not create a new drink? The man was born to invent a beverage!
Sigmund Freud
Okay, this one needs a bit of German to click. Sigmund Freud, the big cheese in psychoanalysis (which is all about the unconscious mind and dealing with mental issues), was born in the Austrian Empire. Now, in German, “Freude” means “pleasure” or “joy.” And guess what? Freud’s theories often centered around the idea that we’re all driven by the need to satisfy our desires and urges, which he called the “pleasure principle.”
Freud’s pleasure principle might be his most famous contribution to psychology, but get this. This is the same guy who gave us “Freudian slip” and also thought all young boys secretly want to marry their mothers. Chew on that for a minute.
Sunny Hostin
Asunción Cummings Hostin kicked off her career as a federal prosecutor before hopping over to TV as a political commentator. That’s when she picked up the nickname “Sunny.”
After bouncing around a few networks, she landed a permanent gig as a co-host on ABC’s The View. Besides snagging Emmy Awards for her work, Hostin keeps living up to her sunny moniker by hosting true crime shows and podcasts like “Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin” and “Have You Seen This Man?”
If the Emmys had a “Best Host” category, she’d win hands down!
Ed Currie
Ed Currie is the mastermind behind the Carolina Reaper and Pepper X, the two hottest chili peppers ever. He’s the founder and president of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
Currie always had a thing for peppers but got serious in the early 2000s when he started growing his own. He aimed to make them super hot for a few reasons: “I like a challenge, it can be used medicinally… and if I can get it hotter, the economies of scale are greater.”
Guinness World Records recognized Currie in 2013 and 2023, which boosted PuckerButt’s fame — even if the name is a bit odd. “Currie Industries” sounds way better!
Igor Judge
Igor Judge, a former Chief Justice of England and Wales, was born in Malta in 1941. He studied history at Cambridge and then became a barrister at 22. He climbed the judicial ladder and, unsurprisingly, became a judge of the High Court.
But his story doesn’t end there. After 30 years as a judge, he became the Lord Chief Justice in 2008, representing the judiciary to Parliament.
Judge passed away in 2023, a decade after retiring. Fun fact: His obituary mentioned that his name didn’t influence his career path.
Keith Weed
What could be a better name for the president of Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society than Keith Weed?
Weed jokes that his mother’s maiden name was Hedges! “If a Weed gets together with a Hedges, I think they’re going to give birth to the president of the RHS,” Weed quips.
The RHS even looked into other cases of nominative determinism among its staff. They found a Moss, Heather, Berry, Shears, some Roses, and a Gardiner. Nature really called to them!
Daniel Snowman
In 2015, Daniel Snowman, a Rhode Island College professor, went viral after talking about the best snow for building snowmen in USA Today. People were more amused by his name than his snowman advice.
Snowman’s interview inspired other articles pointing out the coincidence. He’s also written books, one of which is about polar exploration!
Thomas Crapper
Thomas Crapper founded the Crapper & Co. plumbing company. Despite popular belief, he didn’t invent the toilet. Flush toilets were around in the 16th century. But Crapper did help popularize them in England by stressing the importance of sanitation.
Did the slang “crap” come from Crapper’s name? Nope! “Crap” was used as slang for excrement way back in 1846. Tough luck, Thomas.
The phrase “going to the crapper” likely does come from him, though. U.S. soldiers saw cisterns stamped with “T Crapper” while in England during World War I. When they returned home, “crapper” became slang for bathroom, and the name stuck.
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt became the “fastest man in the world” at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Talk about perfect timing!
Some people think it’s too perfect. An article even accused him of changing his name to fit his career. While his full name is Usain St. Leo Bolt, “Bolt” is indeed his real surname.
As a kid, Bolt loved cricket and football. But his cricket coach saw his speed and convinced him to try track and field. So, we have that coach to thank for one of the most famous examples of nominative determinism.
Doctor Willard Bliss
Doctor Willard Bliss was born in 1825. Yes, his first name was Doctor. The physician who delivered him suggested naming him after himself, Dr. Willard. They likely hoped their son would grow up to be successful.
Bliss became a doctor, but his legacy is complicated. He spent years as a doctor in Washington, D.C., but his reputation was tarnished because he supported homeopathic medicine. He also rejected antiseptic methods.
While operating on President James Garfield, Bliss used unsterilized tools. Historians believe this worsened Garfield’s condition. After Garfield’s death, Bliss was blamed for malpractice. Even Garfield’s assassin said, “The doctors killed Garfield; I just shot him.” Ouch!
From vodka entrepreneurs to blazing-fast sprinters, nominative determinism offers a humorous peek into how our names might just mirror our destinies. Whether these are mere coincidences or signs of a deeper connection, these stories certainly give us a reason to smile.
What do you think? Is nominative determinism real, or just a fun coincidence? Let us know in the comments below!
