nominative determinism

English

Noun

nominative determinism (uncountable)

1. (psychology, semantics) A supposed tendency for people to become active in subjects that relate or correspond to their names.
   • 2003, Paul Di Filippo, chapter 2, in Spondulix: A Romance of Hoboken, Open Road Integrated Media:

     A little-known aspect of pop sociology called nominative determinism intrigued Rory Honeyman for a very good reason. Except for a concatenation of historical accidents, he would have fallen under its purview himself.

   • 2010, Steve Ringwood, Astronomers Anonymous: Getting Help with the Puzzles and Pitfalls of Practical Astronomy, Springer, page ix:

     I need hardly add that he is a prime example of that scientific principle known as nominative determinism — being a man who uses telescopes, called I. Glass!

   • 2016, Caroline Barchelder, The Gender Conversation: Evangelical Perspectives on Gender, Scripture, and the Christian Life, Morling Press, page 218:

     Nominative determinism is usually applied to the idea that someone's name may influence their future. Would Usain Bolt have run as swiftly with the name “Usain Plod”?

See also

• aptonym, aptronym, charactonym, euonym
• nomen est omen