# Same name, different person. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 2, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773 "2005-12-02T18:08:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/21 "2005-12-03T21:44:07Z")
[Michael Jackson](http://www.radiohof.org/newstalk/michaeljackson.html) vs. [Michael Jackson](http://www.michaeljackson.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/22 "2005-12-03T21:47:40Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > When I was in high school, television was full of Wendy’s commercials starring their founder Dave Thomas. I also had a friend in school named Dave Thomas, and our neighbor across the street was Dave Thomas. But, I would imagine that is quite a common name anyway. [Indeed](http://www.imdb.com/find?q=dave%20thomas;s=all) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/23 "2005-12-03T21:50:37Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > When I was in high school, television was full of Wendy’s commercials starring their founder Dave Thomas. I also had a friend in school named Dave Thomas, and our neighbor across the street was Dave Thomas. But, I would imagine that is quite a common name anyway. There’s also [Dave Thomas](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858686/). But you’re right that it’s common: The IMDB lists 17 Dave Thomases in the industry (I’ve linked to the one actor). ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/24 "2005-12-03T21:52:08Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > [Indeed](http://www.imdb.com/find?q=dave%20thomas;s=all) And none of those guys is the singer from Pere Ubu. ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/25 "2005-12-03T22:03:37Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > … Actually, there’s a lot of Peter Morrises out there. > …variously, we are : executive director of indeco limited, a recognised leader in the construction industry, nuffield professor of surgery emeritus, director of policy and research at the british trade union, former federal transport minister, studying at hyles, a certified practising accountant, communication officer for ice camp sirius, assistant professor of internal medicine, acknowledged as one of the finest, correct, hoping to change all that, #804, a weak little man, head of construction and engineering and such a hot guy. Interestingly (or not), the Peter Morris in Calgary used to be my boss in the construction and engineering industry. Nice guy, but not hot. I initially thought you were him, but I’m guessing not. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/26 "2005-12-04T00:41:50Z")
Not _quite_ the same name, but close: [Sam Shepard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Shepard) and [Sam Sheppard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sheppard). ---
**Author:** ![mikeargo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@mikeargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikeargo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/27 "2005-12-04T01:43:08Z")
Robert Parker, wine expert and Robert Parker, author of the “Spenser” series of mysteries ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/28 "2005-12-04T03:31:22Z")
There’s [Harrison Ford](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001230/) the famous movie actor and [Harrison Ford](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000148/) the famous movie actor. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/29 "2005-12-04T03:34:06Z")
There’s two Steve Jacksons who are game designers; one in Texas and one in Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/30 "2005-12-04T03:34:42Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > At one point **Santana** included two different guys named Chester Thompson, one on drums and the other on keyboards. And there’s the Carlos Santana who fixed my car last year. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/31 "2005-12-04T04:13:34Z")
Perhaps mention should be made of Kenny Rogers the actor/singer, and Kenny Rogers the baseball player nobody likes for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/32 "2005-12-04T05:04:38Z")
There’s Richard Hatch of “Battlestar Galactica” fame and Richard Hatch of “Survivor” fame. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/33 "2005-12-04T12:56:45Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Several years ago two Amish boys were arrested for possession of crack. Both were named [Abner Stoltzfus](http://www.clge.com/guinness/06.23.98.html) even though they were no relation. > > If different spellings count, there’s also Charles Dickens the writer of _Oliver Twist_ and Charles Dikkens with 2 k’s, the well known Dutch author (who wrote _Rarnably Budge_). That isn’t a surprise though \*- all \*Amish boys are named Abner Stoltzfus. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/34 "2005-12-04T13:38:17Z")
The old DC comic-book vilian was named “Dr. Doome”, actually. He was more a nemesis of “The Seven Soldiers of Victory” than Superman. [Arthur Curry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman) and [Arthur Currie.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Currie) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/35 "2005-12-04T15:02:54Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > [Arthur Curry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman) and [Arthur Currie.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Currie) By the same token: [Roy Harper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Harper) and [Roy Harper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_%28comics%29). ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/36 "2005-12-04T15:56:58Z")
Oh, if comic book characters are allowed : [Sandman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandman_(Marvel_Comics)), [Sandman](http://www.toonopedia.com/sandman2.htm), [Sandman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_%28DC_Comics_Golden_Age%29) & [Sandman](http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/d/dream.htm), ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/37 "2005-12-04T16:44:28Z")
Not quite the same, but often confused: [Peter Sellars](http://www.amrep.org/people/sellars.html) and [Peter Sellers.](http://www.petersellers.com/) ---
**Author:** ![marque\_elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@marque\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marque_elf)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/38 "2005-12-04T16:59:10Z")
Anyone who reads mysteries knows of Robert Parker and his series character named Spencer. For a while, there was a mystery writer named Ross Spenser. This caused a little confusion in the book store I worked in because customers would ask for the new “Spencer” and we weren’t sure whether they were talking about the series character or the author. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/39 "2005-12-04T17:03:51Z")
Author [John Gardner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gardner) and author [John Gardner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gardner_%28thriller_writer%29). ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773/40 "2005-12-04T17:18:38Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I was just thinking of doing this topic! 😛 > [@milquetoast](#): > > \If I had only turned the page in that encyclopedia… 😃 > [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > The old DC comic-book vilian was named “Dr. Doome”, actually. He was more a nemesis of “The Seven Soldiers of Victory” than Superman. Got it, thanks. Also, I seem to remember this one coming up multiple times in past threads: [David Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie), [David Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Jones), [David Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Jones%27_Locker), and [David Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Jones_%28baseball%29) Taken from wiki, re: the first two=The aspiring rock star needed to use a different stage name to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, so he chose the last name Bowie after the Alamo hero Jim Bowie and his famous Bowie Knife. David pronounces “Bowie” to rhyme with “Joey”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-name-different-person/333773.md?page=3)