It’s the name game: know someone whose job is just the same?
Written by Ciaran Myers on 15th October 2025
Sunderland midfield legend Kevin Ball in action for the Black Cats in his heyday.
Do you know anyone whose name is a perfect fit for their job?
The idea that a name can influence a future occupation is called ‘nominative determinism,’ and we are on the hunt to find some local examples.
If you know a Steve Butcher the butcher, a Gary Lighter the electrician, or a Sally Stroller the dog-walker, then get in touch!
One local footballing legend – Kevin Ball – is a perfect example. After all, it seems he was destined to become a footballer with that name!
Below are some of our favourite examples from around the world for inspiration.
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt wins the 200m gold for Jamaica at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Perhaps the most famous of the lot. It is perfect that the fastest man to ever walk the planet is called Bolt.
While a lightning bolt strikes at 270,000mph and Usain’s top recorded speed was 27.8mph, he is not quite as quick as his namesake, but the former Olympian is the closest we as a species have come to being ‘as quick as lightning’.
Chuck Long
Quarterback Chuck Long played for the Detroit Lions. Photo: University of Iowa.
The most important position in American Football is the quarterback, the one who throws the ball.
A promising college player, Long was drafted 12th in the 1986 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Although his seven-season career wasn’t legendary, his best year came in 1987, when he threw (or chucked) 2,598 yards.
So we could argue that the stats show that Chuck Long did indeed Chuck Long!
Larry Speakes
White House Press Secretary Larry Speakes at a briefing in the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Photo by Dennis Brack
After a career as a journalist, Larry Speakes went into what he was really born to do: be a spokesman.
During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, he undertook the role as White House press secretary for six years from 1981 and would later author a book, brilliantly titled Speaking Out.
Let’s hope whoever came up with that was given a pay rise!
Mauro Shampoo
Footballer-turned-hairdresser Mauro Shampoo. Photo Credits: @MauroShampoo10 on X
A Brazilian club footballer-turned-hairdresser, Mr Shampoo (real name Mauro Teixeira Thorpe) seems to be an eccentric character.
In an interview with The Athletic, he revealed that he had attempted to register his children’s nicknames: Shampoozinho, Dryer and Conditioner but for the local council’s intervention.
His wife is lovingly named Fine Comb and his grandchildren are: Straightener, Clippers, Mega Hair and Short Back and Sides.
Chris Moneymaker
World title-winning American poker player Chris Moneymaker. Photo: Wikipedia.
This man does what his name says. He makes money.
According to the Hendon Mob, at the time of writing, the American has earned $8,540,813 through his career as a professional poker player, during which he won the 2003 World Poker Series.
He has previously claimed that his name comes from his ancestors, who made silver and gold and chose “Moneymaker” as a modification of their German last name, “Nurmacher”.
The Fielders
Cecil Fielder, a former major league player, isn’t the only one to follow the family name into baseball!
Cecil and his son, Prince Fielder, have both had professional baseball careers in Major League Baseball.
Cecil had a 13-year professional career playing for teams like the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees, where he won a World Series.
Prince enjoyed an 11-year career during which he was an all-star on six occasions.
There is another Fielder trying to make his way into the MLB with Prince’s son, Hayden Fielder, currently in the MiLB – the Minor Leagues, with the hopes of soon getting his chance in the big-time.
If you know someone who also has a name that reflects our work, let us know! Just use @sparksunderland to find us on the socials.
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