This literary device owes its origins to American columnist and writer Franklin P. Adams, who coined it an anagram of patronym, i.e, apt

Roopa Banerjee

Aptronym is a personal name that aptly describes its owner. Aka aptonym or namephreak, the name describes the occupation or character of its owner, usually humorously. This literary device owes its origins to Franklin P. Adams (1881-1960), an American columnist and writer, who coined it as an anagram of patronym, i.e, apt.

Some striking examples of aprtonyms are Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone, and Usain Bolt, Jamaican sprinter and three-time Olympic gold medalist. Then there are meteorologists who bear names such as Raines, Blizzard, Storm and Freeze.

Latter day researchers have formulated an interesting hypothesis — nominative determinism — which suggests that people tend to be attracted to professions that fit their name. This hypothesis was first argued in 1994 in the New Scientist, following which numerous people wrote in with examples of nominative determinism. For instance, Daniel Snowman has authored a book on polar explorations. However aptronyms differ from nominative determinism because they don’t delve into the relationship of causality.

Aptronyms have a long history in English literature. In the 17th century Christian allegory Pilgrim’s Progress, author John Bunyan used aptronyms for two of his characters Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Mr. Talkative. Charles Dickens, in particular, was a master of the literary aptronym. In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a miser and hard as flint; Oliver Twist presents the trio of fussy official Bumble, Grimwig and the burglar, Toby Crackit; in Hard Times the sombre Gradgrind and M’Choakumchild teach in Gradgrind’s school. A Tale of Two Cities has the Crunchers, a family of grave-robbers, and David Copperfield has the evil Murdstone, whose name suggests a blend of murder and tombstone.

Similarly the bard William Shakespeare enjoyed using aptronyms. For instance the character Hotspur in King Henry IV is quick-tempered and impatient. His other memorable aptronyms include Shallow, Mistress Quickly, Bottom, Falstaff and Sir Toby Belch.

In the 21st century, literary aptronyms made a big comeback in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. For example Draco Malfoy’s name defines his character with Draco being Latin for “dragon” and Mal foi French for “bad faith.” Slytherin is a blend of the words “sly” and “slithering.” Lord Voldemort means “flight from death” in French and “vole” is also a type of rodent. Professor Quirrel evokes images of a quarrel and squirrel.

The books in The Hunger Games series are also bursting with characters with aptronyms. For instance Katniss (cat-like), Peeta (the bread maker), and Plutarch Havensbee (safe haven).

Meanwhile, there are inaptronyms where an individual’s name has an ironic connection with her chosen profession. A police officer named Rob Banks or a white supremacist named Don Black.

Exercise:
Here is a list of names — aptronyms. Can you match them with their occupations?

1. Scott Speed
2. Chris Moneymaker
3. John Laws
4. William Wordsworth
5. Jules Angst
6. Amy Freeze

Occupations:

a. Meteorologist
b. Judge
c. Writer
d. Poker Player
e. Professor of Psychiatry
f. Racecar driver