Aptronym Totally Explained

Everything about Aptronym totally explained

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
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 Vila, home improvement guru
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 doesn't yet seem to be a standard terminology for this linguistic curiosity.

Further Information

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