this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026

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Nominative Determinism

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Nominative determinism is the hypothesis that people tend to gravitate towards areas of work that fit their names. The term was first used in the magazine New Scientist in 1994, after the magazine's humorous "Feedback" column noted several studies carried out by researchers with remarkably fitting surnames. These included a book on polar explorations by Daniel Snowman and an article on urology by researchers named Splatt and Weedon. These and other examples led to light-hearted speculation that some sort of psychological effect was at work.

This is a community for posting real-world examples of names that by coincidence are funny in context. A link to the article or site is preferable, as well as a screenshot of the funny name if it's not in the headline. Try not to repost, and keep it fun!

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Two authors from a fisheries report by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by TheTechnician27@lemmy.world to c/nominativedeterminism@feddit.uk

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/44531633

The 2011 report in question, titled: "Annual Management Report for the Commercial and Subsistence Shellfish Fisheries of the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and the Westward Region’s Shellfish Observer Program, 2009/10"

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[+] Gentryfried@feddit.uk 6 points 7 months ago (2 children)

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[–] Codpiece@feddit.uk 3 points 7 months ago

But they did focus on one particular species, when fish were more abundant.

https://www.scotfishmuseum.org/the-herring-boom.php

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[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

I'm not an expert but Old Joe Herring could perhaps have dibs on a particular herring-hiding shoal, and maybe his nets are knotted in a finer gauge than those made and used by Herbert Cod over by the reef. Whereas Charlie Tuna heads out to the deep and uses a hook and really strong line.

Or maybe Old Joe actually brings in mostly carp, but he LOOKS like a herring.

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[–] sundray@lemmus.org 12 points 7 months ago

Nominative Determinism at work!

[–] zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev 7 points 7 months ago (1 child)

The people over at feddit.uk/c/nominativedeterminism might like this, too.

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[–] eth0slash0@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

!nominativedeterminism@feddit.uk

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[–] ToastedRavioli@midwest.social 6 points 7 months ago*

Working under the direction of a Dr. Charlie Tuna, PhD

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

I seriously hope Kathleen is a redhead.