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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!
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#1
Neuroscientist Lord Brain
Dian Ella Lillie 6 years ago
That would really mess with my brian - erm, brain...
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Naima Ivansdóttir 6 years ago
no way! hahahah if i were a man i'd legally change my name into this one immediately!!!
Sharon Nicoll 6 years ago
I vote for myself! I was born "Sharon Russell," and I went on to become an intellectual, a la Bertrand Russell. I know that that sounds snooty, but it's true!
Mónica Elisabeth Sacco 6 years ago
Naaah... What about Brain and Pinky? Is Brain actually a peer?
Karen Westphal 6 years ago
I used to go to a neurosurgeon who had a doctor by the name of Forget
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#2
Firefighter McBurney
Ryo Bakura 6 years ago
Les is usually short for Leslie. Or Lesley, depending on how it's spelled.
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Dian Ella Lillie 6 years ago (edited)
Please tell me his first name is actually Bernard (or Bernhard)...
Rosemary Turpin 6 years ago
Actually, what could be more logical? Many of our early surnames were given based on profession: Miller, Taylor,, Mason, Smith (of any kind or colour), Cooper, Harper, and many many more I could think of -- but so could you!
#3
Lawyer Sue Yoo
Ladies and Gentlemen 6 years ago
At Least hide her contact information please, Else Sue will Sue you!
Ringo Joy (she/her) Singapore 2 weeks ago (edited)
As an Asian person i can ensure you it’s pronounced differently. My surname in English and Chinese are different pronounced . It's Lim in English and Lin in Chinese. Had a guy in my class surname is Kock. Asian names do look and sound werid from an English perspective
Caleb Fisher 4 years ago
shut the front door how did she not end up on kimmel with les mcburney
Cece Venticinc 6 years ago
I saw a snap chat this a while back, it was a picture of a table plate with this name. And the caption read, "This person should become a lawyer" SHE DID BECOME A LAWYER!
#4
Cashier Ka Ching
Sivan Bouchami 6 years ago
A journalist of the Dutch news contacted this girl. She is real. But mentioned that she really does NOT like the unwanted attention she gained because a customer decided to put this picture online without her permission.
GodsFallenCrow 6 years ago
Hey this is in the Albert Heijn. It’s the supermarket I always go in The Netherlands.
#5
Andrew Drinkwater
Brooke Wagner 6 years ago
Ok, Ok... .....Gets a cup of water and drinks it..... NO THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT!!! COME HERE ANDREW DRINKWATER!
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#6
Volunteer Toogood
#7
Physician Dr. Docktor
Naima Ivansdóttir 6 years ago
i work in the field of nuclear medicine and medical physic and sometimes i have to deal with a dr. doctor too ...wonder if it's the same person???
Naima Ivansdóttir 6 years ago
oh no it's not - different spelling, just noticed
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Grace McEachin 6 years ago
while at Children's Hospital Medical Center there was a friend of mine whose name was William D**k - William was called D**k so the overhead page would resonant Dr. D**k D**k, call extension 347, Call Extension 347! hahahaha it made you laugh everytime!
Dian Ella Lillie 6 years ago
Now, if s/he had a PhD as well, as some of my old colleagues do, it'd be Doctor Doctor Docktor....
Craig Lee 6 years ago
The hyphenated Dr. you see on the sign is not the persons first name, it's the title.... Hence, PhD already.
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Cashier Kashera
Hendra Lim 6 years ago
probably a far cousin of her great great grandfather brother's grandson
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Amedeo Sandri 6 years ago
In italian cashier is cassiera and it sound pretty the same of kashera
Sveta Smirnova 6 years ago
Different culture. Other cultures may make fun of your name as well and they may say similar thing as your comments.
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Ophthalmologist Ashley Seawright
Lucinda Overhoussen 6 years ago
Could have been an environmentalist or a marine biologist too!
Karen Perez 6 years ago
My uncle was an optometrist. His first name was Ivan. He wrote his business card with an 👁-van.
Alexandru Bucur 6 years ago
Eh. This would have been better if she had a job as a naval architect...
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
Her logo is a sextant turned sideways, nice play!
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#10
Gastroenterologist Joshua Butt
MagicalUnicorn 6 years ago
somebody don't know difference between gastroenterology and proctology :D
Yvonne Blau 6 years ago
A gastroenterologist sometimes also has to take the back entrance
Load More Replies... John Kamau 6 years ago
He must have been ridiculed a lot as a kid... Mamma How dare you name me BUTT?
#11
Music Teacher Miss C Sharp
Person2638 6 years ago
Stop! Otherwise I wil arREST you. You're nothing but TREBLE! Puns are not your FORTE!
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Roger Haywood 6 years ago
Her coal digging husband got ran over by a steam roller. He's A flat minor.
SykesDaMan 6 years ago
Now, I ain't saying he's a coal digger... But he ain't messing with no sharp sharp...
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Swolfy TDP 6 years ago
I have this at our school. We have Mr Toon, Mr Reid, Mr Reid teaches woodwind.
#12
Librarian Bookendorf
Anna Lourie 6 years ago
"dorf" meens village in german. there fore I read bookvillage. You can call a library also a bookvillage..
Arran Walker 6 years ago
This name is perfect for any librarian or bookshop worker. The whole name.
#13
Paul Paulos From St. Paul Police
#14
Chef Tom Kitchin
S Bagci 6 years ago
I think they change their names to match their professions over there lol
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#15
Meat Manager Brad Slaughter
Red 6 years ago
i'd be scared if i knew that a human resources manager was called that...
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SarcasticAutist369 1 year ago
F**k Brad and everyone who Looks like Brad! - George Carlin [Joke]
Nakia Simmons 6 years ago
My young son was in pediatric intensive care, and his doctor's name was Dr Slaughter. After things had settled down, we had a good laugh about it! She was awesome.
#16
Jason Weed
Sonya Jersey 6 years ago
he looks like Dexter, you better search for more, look behind the AC I tell you
#17
What A Name For A Weather Presenter
TheDivineMs.M 6 years ago
We have a meteorologist in Nashville named Danielle Breezy... I'm convinced it's made up.
Alexandru Bucur 6 years ago
What, she's obviously Mr. Freeze's niece! Girl has to make a living!
Absoluuttinen Hullumies 6 years ago
There's one in Finland named Pekka Pouta. (pouta = dry weather in Finnish)
#18
Dr Mike Loosemore Talking About Need To Lose Weight
Hans 6 years ago
"Call now to order 10 buckets of Dr. Loosemore's Wonder Power(TM) and receive this shaker for free!"
violetta 6 years ago
But wait -- there's more!!!!!!! If you call within the next five minutes we will double your order!!! That's right!!! We'll send you 20 buckets of Dr. Loosemore's Wonder Power (TM) and you will receive a SECOND shaker!! Just pay shipping and handling.
Load More Replies... Arran Walker 6 years ago
Too many people in the UK with names that match their jobs... and they get on telly.
#19
Lawyer Jonathan Law
SarcasticAutist369 1 year ago
Oh my God! Win News?! This has to be my Home Country of Australia!
#20
Just To Show To All My Clients That Don’t Believe My Surname Is Barber
Filip Piękny 6 years ago
because it's a male Scottish first name? like Irvine Welsh, the famous author?
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Ringo Joy (she/her) Singapore 2 weeks ago
It's a common Scottish name so not likely
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#21
Runner Aaron Farr
jeffrey blankenship 6 years ago
Farr would run as far as Farr could run, if Farr could run far.
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#22
Funeral Directors Wake And Paine
Aubrey Saunders 6 years ago (edited)
If they wake at the Wake, that might be even more Paine ful tho...
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Peter Deegan 6 years ago
There’s a firm of undertakers in Cape Town, South Africa named, “Human & Pitt.”
Peter Deegan 6 years ago
There’s a firm of undertakers in Cape Town, South Africa named, Human & Pitt.
#23
Weather Presenter Sara Blizzard
Kaisu Rei 6 years ago
In Finland there's a weather presenter who's her opposite called Pekka Pouta, which means Pekka Dry Weather.
#24
President Robin Mahfood
#25
Doctor Atchoo
#26
Dr Blood
tuzdayschild 6 years ago
Dr. Blood...if this isn't the title of an old Vincent Price movie, it should be.
#27
Funeral Directors Thomas Grieve And Son
Em B 6 years ago
Well, he's just living up to his last name, in a legal way...
Load More Replies... Ringo Joy (she/her) Singapore 2 weeks ago (edited)
& son? Instead of '& his son' ? The son is name John Byrne Jr
#28
Archaeologist Dr Pam Graves
Stephanie Gwynne Green 6 years ago
I live 40mins away from Durham?! :-o And the dead are walking lol !!
#29
Scott Forrest
The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
Forget the names, this is the first time in my life I have ever heard of an International Tree Climbing Championship
Galaxy Domination 101 6 years ago
One would have expected Josephine Hedger to win the International Hedge Maze Championship
Bob Canter 6 years ago
I find it hard to believe that there’s really an International Tree Climbing Championship.
#30
Amy Parks
RaroaRaroa 6 years ago
I imagine they'd been wanting to send her to report from there from the moment they employed her. No coincidence.
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#31
Literature In French Editor Peter France
#32
Dentist Rachel Pullin
Christopher Dixon 6 years ago
Well I hope while Rachel be pullin, Derek don't C. Brown!!! All the while Kevin is doing what in the snow?!?!
Den Dee 6 years ago (edited)
I've been using this service for what, 15 years now? It is headed by two doctors, one of them Dr. Curer. It is a dental clinic. He does cure very well, I guarantee it (no S**t) Kinda on the costlier side, but not much. And he's got great personality too. Jerusalem, Israel. Guess this is a little plug for him, but I really do appreciate them. Oh, and he's an English (?) South African, so his English (it is important to me) is impeccable. I jokingly refer to him (outside the clinic) as "Mein Curer" : )
#33
Dentist L. Justin Payne
Sara Dobbie 6 years ago
I worked at a call center where I had to answer insurance benefit questions for the dental office of a Dr. Smiley.
Arran Walker 6 years ago
I’m “just in pain”... be with you in a moment... after I have a bit more laughing gas....
#34
Race Car Driver Scott Speed
#35
Todd Cutright
#36
Hand Surgeon David J. Mitten
Fiona Toms-Yarnton 6 years ago
Which is why he passed on the specialty of proctology...
Load More Replies... LuckyPineapple 6 years ago
My hand surgeon’s name is Otto Wickstrom, so when he comes in before surgery, he initials your wrist to confirm...so he writes OW and it amused me greatly
Halldora Landvik 6 years ago
Psst. That's the first sentence in the intro, bub.
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Assistant Deli Manager Margaret Bacon
#38
Fiona Lander In Perth Airport
#39
Weather Anchor L. Sprinkle
Eric Spence 6 years ago
Here's Meteorologist Larry Sprinkle saying that there will be a chance for sprinkles Monday.
#40
Sled Dog Champion Vickie Pullin
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What do you think ?
troufaki13 6 years ago
There's a dietician in Greece and her name roughly translates to "Maria Starve-to-death" :'D
glowworm2 6 years ago
My boyfriend saw a sign for elections this year that said "Crook for Congress." He couldn't stop laughing at it.
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
Wonder if his opponent ran ads saying, "I am not Crook!"
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Trent Kamerman 6 years ago
I am a Cameraman.......We call it jobonomatopoeia . www.800kamerman.com Screen-Sho...42-png.jpg 
Misterscooter 6 years ago
I used to work for an oil company and one of the leaders had the last name of Greaser.
Ari Niemelä 6 years ago
There is a hospital in Finland where is two doctors, other name is translated as Smart and other is Luck. When Smart is not enough, then Luck goes to help him.
Amanda Panda 6 years ago
My postman growing up was Mr. Stamps and I had an OB/GYN named Dr. Hymen
Ayra 6 years ago
In my hometown, it could happen that you had this dream team when having your wisdom teeth removed: Dr. Lücke (= Gap) as dentist, Dr. Messer (=knife) as surgeon and Dr. Sandmann (=sandman) as anaesthetist... Another one which I drove by on my way to university was that lawyer called "Streit" which translates to "argument"
troufaki13 6 years ago
There's a dietician in Greece and her name roughly translates to "Maria Starve-to-death" :'D
glowworm2 6 years ago
My boyfriend saw a sign for elections this year that said "Crook for Congress." He couldn't stop laughing at it.
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
Wonder if his opponent ran ads saying, "I am not Crook!"
Load More Replies... Trent Kamerman 6 years ago
I am a Cameraman.......We call it jobonomatopoeia . www.800kamerman.com Screen-Sho...42-png.jpg
Misterscooter 6 years ago
I used to work for an oil company and one of the leaders had the last name of Greaser.
Ari Niemelä 6 years ago
There is a hospital in Finland where is two doctors, other name is translated as Smart and other is Luck. When Smart is not enough, then Luck goes to help him.
Amanda Panda 6 years ago
My postman growing up was Mr. Stamps and I had an OB/GYN named Dr. Hymen
Ayra 6 years ago
In my hometown, it could happen that you had this dream team when having your wisdom teeth removed: Dr. Lücke (= Gap) as dentist, Dr. Messer (=knife) as surgeon and Dr. Sandmann (=sandman) as anaesthetist... Another one which I drove by on my way to university was that lawyer called "Streit" which translates to "argument"
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