# Why some people look like their name **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 23, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861 "2017-03-23T20:06:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/1 "2017-03-23T20:06:00Z")
I just read a piece about this and it got me thinking, did we really need a research study on this? I know it’s not the first time I’ve thought that, so what are some out there, maybe even ludicrous research studies you have to share? If anyone is interested in the very important looking like a name study, it said hairstyles often play a role and stereotypes. So for example, if your name is Fred, apparently society has certain views of how Freds behave and lots of Fred’s in the world subconsciously behave in those ways. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/2 "2017-03-24T11:59:30Z")
I know a Pat. Enough said. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/3 "2017-03-24T23:37:32Z")
😂 so that’s why no one has chimed in on this, now I know. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/4 "2017-03-24T23:44:23Z")
Well, I know I definitely look like everyone’s preconception of a “Rivkah Chaya.” ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/5 "2017-03-25T00:26:52Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Well, I know I definitely look like everyone’s preconception of a “Rivkah Chaya.” I don’t think many people have a preconception of that name (honestly never heard of anyone with either name). ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/6 "2017-03-25T01:20:59Z")
You mean like Gilbert Gottfried? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/7 "2017-03-25T01:25:46Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > I don’t think many people have a preconception of that name (honestly never heard of anyone with either name). Whoosh ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/8 "2017-03-25T02:10:05Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > I don’t think many people have a preconception of that name (raising hand) I definitely do. Many years ago I changed my first and middle names, much to the consternation of my mother. Everyone who knows me now as NewName are flabbergasted when it comes out that I used to be OldName. Inevitably their reaction is “But… you totally don’t look like an OldName!!!” And yet my looks have not changed significantly in the intervening years, and I must have looked like an OldName at some point. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/9 "2017-03-25T17:08:08Z")
My name is Misty but I don’t look like a stripper. People pay me to keep my clothes on! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/10 "2017-03-25T17:29:10Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Well, I know I definitely look like everyone’s preconception of a “Rivkah Chaya.” You’d be surprised. Until this moment, I assumed (without giving it much actual thought at all) it was an Indian-ish name. (As far as I know, I’ve never heard either name before you in my life.) So if I had tired to envision you, I would have thought Raj more than Leonard. (And yes, [I see](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=799573) that isn’t correct, now that I google.) ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/11 "2017-03-25T18:02:39Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Well, I know I definitely look like everyone’s preconception of a “Rivkah Chaya.” I never really thought about it, but your name is beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/12 "2017-03-25T18:05:35Z")
This is not a good example, but I always picture Rachel’s as having dark hair. It’s probably the Rachel/raven connection, idk. Anyway, I have a niece named Rachel, she’s in her late 20s and she’s always been a blonde, but if someone mentions the name, I still imagine someone with dark hair. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/13 "2017-03-26T03:42:18Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I never really thought about it, but your name is beautiful. Aw, shucks. > [@Patx2](#): > > This is not a good example, but I always picture Rachel’s as having dark hair. It’s probably the Rachel/raven connection, idk. Anyway, I have a niece named Rachel, she’s in her late 20s and she’s always been a blonde, but if someone mentions the name, I still imagine someone with dark hair. Well, it’s a Jewish name. All the Rachels, Rochels, Rochelles, etc. that I know tend to be pretty dark-haired. I know a few with medium-brown hair, but not a single real blonde. Most of them have dark brown eyes and hair. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/14 "2017-03-26T06:05:37Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I always picture Rachel’s as having dark hair. Rachel’s _what_? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/15 "2017-03-26T06:29:13Z")
My wifes name is Bambola, which in English is Dolly. And she definitely looks & acts like a little dolly, especially when she puts her hair in pig tails. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/16 "2017-03-26T12:06:35Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > My name is Misty but I don’t look like a stripper. One of my nephews dated a Stormie. She wasn’t a stripper, but she doted the “i” with a heart. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/17 "2017-03-26T16:16:16Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Aw, shucks. > > Well, it’s a Jewish name. All the Rachels, Rochels, Rochelles, etc. that I know tend to be pretty dark-haired. I know a few with medium-brown hair, but not a single real blonde. Most of them have dark brown eyes and hair. Exactly how I picture them, and my niece has blonde hair and blue eyes. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/18 "2017-03-26T16:29:20Z")
Debbie, not Deborah, but Debbie is always a voluptuous, maybe even rubenesque blue eyed blonde to me. Every _Deborah_ I’ve known was always more stern, usually dark haired, hardly ever rubenesque or voluptuous except a cousin who was a housewife, and always an administrator or manager of some sort, (this could also include the housewife who manages and administers the household) ---
**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:** [March 26, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/19 "2017-03-26T16:36:35Z")
[Nominative determinism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_determinism) ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861/20 "2017-03-27T00:07:11Z")
grrf! realized, after many hours have passed, I failed to state my complete thought. Debbie, aside from the physical description given above, always seems to be ditzy or naïve or gullible, where as Deborah rarely, if ever, is any of those things. So, **Peter Morris** , or anyone (RivkahChaya perhaps?) can you tell me what Debbie or Deborah (debra, debrah etc) means? I can’t apply nominative determinism to that name without knowing what it means. eta ok, Deborah is a bee, trying to fit Debbie into that descriptor [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-some-people-look-like-their-name/782861.md?page=2)