Ever wondered if your name could influence your destiny? Kyle and Emily have, and this deep question brings them to the hilarious world of aptronyms.

In this episode, our hosts explore the inception of the aptronym and delve into the theory's deeper implications, touching on ideas from Carl Jung's Synchronicity, to concepts like nominative determinism and implicit egotism. The duo discusses famous examples like sprinter Usain Bolt and poet William Wordsworth, and how these “coincidences” might not be so coincidental after all.

From its humble origins in newspaper and magazine columns, to modern, large-scale scientific studies, Kyle and Emily chat about the birth of last names and the plethora of lists created by the noble comiconomenclaturists. Their conversation uncovers the intriguing intersection of surnames, irony, and Jungian psychology, allowing baby name suggestions to take on a whole new meaning.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by⁠ ⁠Seth Gliksman⁠⁠, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore