The term 'Nominative determinism' refers to the idea that some people are attracted to certain jobs that match up with their names. Can this phenomenon really hold weight?

It sounds incredibly narcissistic to be attracted to things that remind us of ourselves, but the research suggests that your name really does have a great influence on your life choices.

One study found that people named Dennis or Denise tend to become dentists at a higher-than-average rate. Patterns were also identified among doctors, showing high incidences of fitting names in areas like urology, for example, where there were a number of surnames like Cox, Ball, Dick, and Waterfall.

Of course, occupational surnames, such as Butcher, Smith, Baker, and Miller, suggest some kind of family legacy.

However, sometimes the matches are so bizarre and funny that they cannot be explained. We here at Bored Panda have collected a list of people who are unwittingly doing exactly what their names are telling them to do, along with a few others who just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Scroll down below to check it out for yourself, and don't forget to vote for your favorites!

#1

Neuroscientist Lord Brain

Clinical neurology book titled by Lord Brain, highlighting a humorous name-job match.

somedaveguy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hans
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lord Brain could become my avatar name. Lord Brain to the rescue!

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #3

    Lawyer Sue Yoo

    Lawyer biography showing Sue H. Yoo’s profile with contact details at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Volunteer Toogood

    Elderly man on BBC Breakfast segment labeled as volunteer, fittingly named.

    Report

    #7

    Physician Dr. Docktor

    Physician office sign humorously matches doctor's name, suggesting they were born to do their job.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Gastroenterologist Joshua Butt

    Sign for Dr. Joshua Butt, Gastroenterologist, highlighting a humorous coincidence in job selection.

    FimJishwick Report

    #11

    Music Teacher Miss C Sharp

    A finger points at a list of music department staff, highlighting humorous names like Miss C Sharp, illustrating job suitability.

    faethb Report

    #12

    Librarian Bookendorf

    Librarian's desk sign humorously named Wilbur Ulysses Bookendorf in a library setting.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Meat Manager Brad Slaughter

    Meat manager portrait with name, above meat display, fitting job name humorously.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    What A Name For A Weather Presenter

    Meteorologist in a red coat reporting live, embodying a job perfectly suited for her name.

    dannews Report

    #18

    Dr Mike Loosemore Talking About Need To Lose Weight

    Dr. Mike Loosemore on BBC Breakfast discussing exercise medicine in a newsroom setting.

    stokel Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hans
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Call now to order 10 buckets of Dr. Loosemore's Wonder Power(TM) and receive this shaker for free!"

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Lawyer Jonathan Law

    Man named Jonathan Law being interviewed, displaying a humorous alignment of name and profession.

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fough the Law and - the Law won! ♬♪ (good song for Tekken too)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    Just To Show To All My Clients That Don’t Believe My Surname Is Barber

    ID card showing "Barber" and a business card for a stylist, highlighting people doing jobs that match their names.

    irvine_92 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Funeral Directors Wake And Paine

    Wake & Paine funeral directors sign, a funny name suggesting they were born to do their jobs.

    RichLJones Report

    #23

    Weather Presenter Sara Blizzard

    Weather presenter on BBC with countryside background, illustrating people born to do their jobs.

    StevoBee Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kaisu Rei
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Finland there's a weather presenter who's her opposite called Pekka Pouta, which means Pekka Dry Weather.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Funeral Directors Thomas Grieve And Son

    "Entrance of a funeral directors' office, showing distinct wooden doors and an ironic business name above."

    markywildtype Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Scott Forrest

    Winners at International Tree Climbing Championship show off medals and trophy, highlighting their dedication to the job.

    kycdxx Report

    #31

    Literature In French Editor Peter France

    Title page of "The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French" edited by Peter France.

    rgoatcabin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kaisu Rei
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well you'd assume he's definitely an expert on French literature then!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Dentist L. Justin Payne

    Dentist sign reading "L. Justin Payne, DMD," suggesting humor in people born for their jobs.

    Report

    #36

    Hand Surgeon David J. Mitten

    Hand surgery clinic door with doctors' names listed, viewed from the lobby area.

    MagicalUnibeefs Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #37

    Assistant Deli Manager Margaret Bacon

    Assistant Deli Manager portrait humorously aligned with the name Margaret Bacon, showcasing funny job fit.

    _Prisoner_24601_ Report

    #40

    Sled Dog Champion Vickie Pullin

    Person in athletic gear with bicycles nearby, representing those who were born to do their jobs.

    seanomeara Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda