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 (1678), and the principal cast of the Mr Men (1971).
A related phrase is nominative determinism, popularised by New Scientist magazine, suggesting, with tongue firmly in cheek, that people's life choices are influenced by their names. The distinction is subtle but fundamental: as post-hoc versus propter-hoc, so aptronym versus nominative determinism.
Examples
- Michael Ball, footballer, currently at Manchester City
- Britt Barefoot, punter for The University of Southern Mississippi college football team
- Layne Beachley, Australian world champion surfer
- George Best, one of the best footballers for Manchester United
- Usain Bolt, Jamaican sprinter and 100m world record holder
- Samantha Bond, appeared in 4 films of the James Bond films, playing Miss Moneypenny
- Lord Brain, neurologist
- Brian Cashman, general manager of the New York Yankees, who consistently have the highest payroll in MLB
- Thomas Crapper, manufacturer of Victorian toilets. (Note that the word "crap" predates Mr Crapper.)
- Cecil Fielder and son Prince Fielder, baseball players
- Eric Gagné, Canadian-born major league baseball pitcher, whose last name translates from French to "win"
- Learned Hand, judge
- Henry Head, an English neurologist
- Derek Jeter, New York Yankee shortstop (Jeter is French for "to throw")
- Mort Kunstler, American painter, whose name in German directly translates as "artist"
- Mario Lemieux, French-Canadian NHL Hall-of-Fame player, whose family name in French directly translates as "the best"
- Chuck Long, former NFL quarterback for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams
- George McGovern, former South Dakota politician and presidential candidate.
- Bill Medley, singer, one half of The Righteous Brothers
- Chris Moneymaker, amateur winner of 2003 World Series of Poker, which earned him $2.5 million
- Antonio da Ponte, designer of the Rialto Bridge ("da Ponte" translates as "of the bridge").
- Bob Rock, famous producer of rock music, including Metallica and Bon Jovi
- Martin Short, Actor, stands well below male average height at estimated 5'6" (167cm)
- Anna Smashnova, tennis player
- Margaret Spellings, Education Secretary under George W. Bush
- Larry Speakes, presidential spokesman under President Ronald Reagan
- Lake Speed, former Nascar driver
- Scott Speed, former Formula One, GP2 and A1GP racing driver
- Charlie Spikes, former Major League Baseball player
- Willie Thrower, former NFL quarterback
- John Tory, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
- Bob Walk, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Tiger Woods, golfer (Wood is a type of golf club)
- William Wordsworth, poet
Other Examples
In the book What's in a Name? (1996), author Paul Dickson cites a long list of aptronyms originally compiled by Professor Lewis P. Lipsitt, of Brown University. A sampling from the list:
- James Bugg, exterminator
- Dan Druff, barber
- Rev. James R. God, minister of the Baptist Church in Congress, South Carolina
- Priscilla Flattery, Environmental Protection Agency publicist
- Bill Headline, Washington, D.C. bureau chief for CNN
- C. Sharpe Minor, an organist
- U.S. Navey, member of the United States Marine Corps
- Quentin Jammer NFL Corner back
Some aptronyms are ironic rather than descriptive. The former Archbishop of Manila, Jaime L. Sin known as "Cardinal Sin," is a notable example. Dickson's book also lists a Rev. Richard Sinner of Fargo, North Dakota.
Other issues
Aptronyms may be called "aptonyms" by other writers. San Francisco columnist Herb Caen used the term "namephreaks". Washington Post columnist Bob Levey prefers the term PFLNs, or Perfect Fit Last Names.
There does not yet seem to be a standard terminology for this linguistic curiosity.
References
- "aptronym." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 30 Mar. 2005. [1]
- Dickson, Paul. What's in a Name? Reflections of an Irrepressible Name Collector. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996. ISBN 0-87779-613-0
See also
External links
- List of 125+ Aptonyms
- "Charol Shakeshaft, Topped!", a list of reader-submitted aptronyms by Slate's Timothy Noah.
- Article about Zimbabwean English naming conventions