A Triumph of Nominative Determinism

Nominative Determinism is the term for people whose last names have apparently influenced their destiny. One of the most famous instances is Cardinal Sin of the Phillipines.

But the obituary pages this week bring perhaps the supreme example. Please go read about the death of William Headline, news editor for CNN.

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 24, 2008
Category: Weird Names | Obituaries

Comments

This makes me wish my name was Rich Bigdick.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 10:33 AM

I guess I'll just have to settle for my god-given name...

Harry Assmunch...sigh

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 11:00 AM

I'll always blame my parents for giving me my name... KW Putsout.

Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 10/24/08 at 11:14 AM

Reminds me of the historical character credited with the origin of the word "Mesmerized". His name was Franz Anton Mesmer.
agentj

Posted by agentj on 10/24/08 at 11:14 AM

Julianne Opensnatch

Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 10/24/08 at 11:17 AM

KW - I doubt if your husband is sore about the name though.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 11:18 AM

I believe your name should reflect who you are today. This is why I legally changed my name to Lady Stillsingle. I was going to change it to Lady Stillsingleandlonely, but that doesn't fit in most "Last Name" spaces on forms.

Posted by BikerPuppy on 10/24/08 at 11:22 AM

BP - If that's the case then I should change mine to...

Shirley Spanksalot

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 11:26 AM

MM -- Oooooh!

Posted by BikerPuppy on 10/24/08 at 11:54 AM

It was probably photo-shopped but I saw a picture that was taken of a news program on someone's TV that was interviewing someone named Mike Litorus

Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 10/24/08 at 12:22 PM

If my wife keeps holding out I'll change my name to

Will Bebegging

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 12:30 PM

Maybe I should have payed more attention to my wife's maiden name

Loren Himin

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 12:37 PM

Maybe I should have paid more attention to my mother-in-law's name

Jess Deadweight

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 12:43 PM

I should rename my son

Rick Quirestoomuchhelpwithhishomework

I think I'm starting to push this to my limit.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 12:45 PM

I could rename my daughter

Ann Shesinfrontofthemirroragain

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/24/08 at 12:47 PM

I'll have settle for my legal name: Johnny Obscure.

Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 10/24/08 at 12:56 PM

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