nominative determinism
noun1
Human sciences, Linguistics, Psychology, Sciences, Semantics A supposed tendency for people to become active in subjects that relate or correspond to their names.
- 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.2003, Paul Di Filippo, chapter 2, in Spondulix: A Romance of Hoboken, Open Road Integrated Media:
- 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!2010, Steve Ringwood, Astronomers Anonymous: Getting Help with the Puzzles and Pitfalls of Practical Astronomy, Springer, page ix:
1 more example
- 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”?2016, Caroline Barchelder, The Gender Conversation: Evangelical Perspectives on Gender, Scripture, and the Christian Life, Morling Press, page 218
- Related terms
- aptonym, aptronym, charactonym, euonym, nomen est omen