Line #4 Main/UnfortunateNames


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8	->'''Dick Grayson:''' My name's Richard Grayson, but all the kids at the orphanage call me Dick.\
9	'''Bruce Wayne:''' Well, children can be cruel.
10	-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoBatmanMovie''
11
12	A name of a person, place, or thing is seen as hilarious and/or offensive InUniverse.
13
14	Characters under this trope are saddled with a name that realistically, [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude you wouldn't expect a parent to name their kid]] or, for someone who's of a certain name, they'd choose to go by. This is the kind of name that gets kids made fun of in school — which leads them to snark "NeverHeardThatOneBefore" when the jokes continue into adulthood. RealJokeName is another possible outcome.
15
16	'''Comes in a variety of forms''':
17	* CrossCulturalKerfluffle — The name is okay, maybe even good and auspicious in its own language, but [[InMyLanguageThatSoundsLike doesn't travel well]]. Maybe it sounds like a curse or a [[WhosOnFirst pronoun]]; bonus points if it's [[SayMyName shouted dramatically]] in the work.
18	* EmbarrassingInitials — the initials spell something silly or offensive.
19	* EuphemisticNames — The name sounds like something sexual or otherwise offensive.
20	* GenderBlenderName — Many names (at least, in American English) were once relatively common and unremarkable as names for male children, but in recent years have become more common for girls, sometimes with minor spelling differences. In the real world there are male Stacys, Danas, Courtneys, Kellys, and Ashleys, and yet you only see those names in fiction on women (on the other hand, there are female Chrises, Pats, Lees, and Terrys and yet, they're only male names in fiction). So someone with old-fashioned parents, or simply a desire to name a baby after an ancestor, might wind up with a "girly" name, such as Mary. Conversely, unfortunate women may end up with a "guy" name, though [[DoubleStandard they are mostly more fortunate]].
21	** A custom in {{UsefulNotes/France}}, francophone countries, and Catholic Germany is to give children a second "saint's name" drawn from the hagiography. This can be given regardless of matching the gender of child and patron saint, so that a man might be named, for instance, [[Literature/AllQuietOnTheWesternFront Erich Maria Remarque]]. This can sound odd outside these areas and even to the locals themselves on occasion, at least to those from younger generations that aren't as familiar with this cultural quirk. Try and find a German teenager who didn't at least snicker the first time Remarque's full name popped up in high school.
22	* HaveAGayOldTime — Linguistic drift can hit names quicker than some folks would like. If a name later gets adopted for a sexual or offensive term, those who had the name before the drift run afoul of this (those named after, however, run into one of the above issues instead). Examples include [[ADickInName Dick]], Fanny, Nimrod and Gaylord.
23	* IronicName — The name references a trait that is the opposite of the character.
24	* [[PunnyName Phrase Name]] — Where the first name and/or last name may sound perfectly normal on its own, but put them together and they make an unfortunate sounding phrase, e.g. "Ima Fraude".
25	* Pop Culture Name — Someone named after [[JustForFun/OneMarioLimit a famous pop culture character]] whose name would ordinarily not enter consideration for use. In this case, the name is already popular, but it isn't something you'd think to name a human being under regular circumstances. Can result in an even more unfortunate name if the pop culture source's popularity is ''not'' enduring.
26	* RepetitiveName — The first and last (and any other) names sound similar, or are exactly the same.
27	* Rhyming Name — [[SublimeRhyme The first and last name rhyme with each other]].
28	* Unfortunate Coincidence — A regular name happened to match coincidentally with real-life famous or infamous figures, or otherwise notable events named after people.
29	* Unfortunate Meaning — someone thought the name sounded nice, but apparently had ''no clue'' that the name they gave their child describes [[DiseasedName a disease]] or a woman's genitalia. (The vast majority of these are either urban legends or outright maliciously racist lies; usually, the more defensive the teller gets about these, the more likely he knows they're lies.)
30
31	Given human nature, quite a few fairly common names or words wind up as slang terms. Simply having one of these isn't really an example of this trope, unless it forms a particularly bad combination with the rest of the name, and the name's misfortune '''must be pointed out within the work'''.
32
33	This trope can be divided into subtropes EmbarrassingFirstName, EmbarrassingMiddleName or EmbarrassingLastName, if just part of the name is unfortunate. Will frequently intersect with PunnyName. When other people pronounce them counterintuitively (whether in an effort to save themselves the embarrassment or not), they'll feel compelled to inform people how their name is pronounced with PretentiousPronunciation.
34
35	This only goes for examples where the name is the character or person's ''legal given name'', or the name they most commonly go by. If a character ''chooses'' this name as a {{superhero}} alias, stage name, or temporary disguise, it's AtrociousAlias. If a product or brand instead of a character is unfortunately named, it's BiteTheWaxTadpole.
36
37	This trope is the opposite of AwesomeMcCoolName, while SpecialPersonNormalName lies in between these two. There's also NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast, where your name isn't so much embarrassing as deeply scary.
38
39	----
40	!Administrivia/InUniverseExamplesOnly:
41
42	!!Example subpages:
43
44	[[index]]
45	* UnfortunateNames/ComicBooks
46	* UnfortunateNames/{{Literature}}
47	* UnfortunateNames/LiveActionTV
48	* UnfortunateNames/{{Radio}}
49	* UnfortunateNames/{{Webcomics}}
50	* UnfortunateNames/WebOriginal
51	* UnfortunateNames/WesternAnimation
52	[[/index]]
53
54	!!Other examples:
55	[[foldercontrol]]
56
57	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
58	* In ''Manga/BocchiTheRock'', Ikuyo Kita refuses to be on anything more than LastNameBasis, because "ikuyo" can also mean "here we go", which she finds humiliating due to it being [[MeaningfulName far too fitting]] [[GenkiGirl for her personality]].
59	* In ''Manga/CallOfTheNight'', Echigo Lira has a name that can be read as, more or less, "perverted gorilla." The fact that she's a HugeSchoolgirl LoveFreak means that the name is about as [[MeaningfulName unfortunately apt]] as it could be.
60	* In ''Anime/EarwigAndTheWitch'', Erica was born with the name "Earwig", her mother having named her after her band. When she leaves her at the orphanage, the Foster Mother changes it to "Erica Wigg" under the assumption that she was named after the bug.
61	* In ''Anime/HaibaneRenmei'', all Haibane are named by other Haibane after what dream they had in their cocoon. Reki dreamed of walking down a dark stone path so she was named after the word "gareki", which means "small stone". Later in life, Haibane learn their "true names" right before their [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence Day of Flight]] occurs. Reki's true name is [[spoiler:"Rekishi", "death by being run over".]] This is implied to be a reference to her [[spoiler:having died by [[DrivenToSuicide standing in front of a train]].]] There is, however, a better seeming AlternateCharacterReading of it.
62	* The title character of ''Manga/ItsudatteMySanta'' hates that his parents named him Santa because he was born on Christmas Eve.
63	* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'': Fate's wolf familiar is named Arf. Justified by the fact that Fate was seven when she named her.
64	* Chikubi, the class hamster in ''Manga/{{Mitsudomoe}}''. The little guy's name means "Nipples", chosen because boob-lover Futaba thought his tail reminded her of one. The name stuck.
65	* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' has Pantyhose Taro, [[spoiler: who was given that name by DirtyOldMan and PantyThief Happosai.]] His village's rules state that only the one who named a child can change that name. His entire character is built around finding said guy and forcing him to change it.
66	* ''Manga/Reborn2004'' has P. Shitt. There's a reason why she likes being called "Shitopi-chan".
67	* ''Anime/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'': Itoshiki Rin looks forward to the day she can get married and change her last name because the combination of the two kanjis in "Itoshiki" makes her full name be misread as "Zetsurin," which means "peerless... in bed". Sadly, the Itoshiki family is very high-ranking, so she has trouble finding an acceptably prominent suitor who won't have to take her name upon marriage.
68	* In ''Anime/ScottPilgrimTakesOff'', it's revealed that Gideon Graves, the BigBad of the original series, was actually using a pseudonym as a way to reinvent himself as a badass villain. His real name is the phenomenally dorky-sounding Gordon Goose.
69	* ''Anime/TenchiMuyoGXP'' has this in the case of Seiryo Tennan's spaceship. Due to the fact that every other "lucky" name was taken at the time, Seiryo is forced to christen his ship the ''Unko'', which is supposed to mean "bringer of fortune". Unfortunately for Seiryo, "Unko" also means, and is more commonly used to refer to, ''poop''. Hilarity ensues.
70	* The main character of ''Manga/InterspeciesReviewers'' is a man named Stunk Tricalo. To his credit, it doesn't bother him. To ''everyone else's,'' they don't bring it up.
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
74	* ''Animation/HappyHeroes'': The fact that Huo Haha's name sounds like laughing seems like something that would lend itself to actual laughs at his expense. This is directly lampshaded in the first episode of Season 8 by way of a WhosOnFirst joke when Big M. and Little M. meet him for the first time.
75	-->'''Huo Haha:''' Hi. I'm the magician who attacked the president, Huo Haha!
76	-->(Big M. wallops Huo Haha, resulting in a HitFlash and a CranialEruption on Huo.)
77	-->'''Big M.:''' Enough! Do you think I was joking? Be serious!
78	-->'''Huo Haha:''' But I didn't laugh. My name ''is'' Huo Haha.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Fan Works]]
82	* Creator/AAPessimal's fics:
83	** ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' and ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' crossover ''Fanfic/TheManyWorldsInterpretation'': A visiting Assassin from the Discworld encounters members of the Los Angeles Police Department called [[Theatre/WestSideStory Krupke]], [[WesternAnimation/TopCat Dibble]] and [[Series/SledgeHammer Captain Trunk]]. Apparently there is an Inspector Series/{{Columbo}} in the murder squad and a mounted policeman who is called Officer [=McLeod=].
84	** In [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6093110/28/Clowning-is-a-Serious-Business a different fic]], Vetinari has to reassign a diplomat sent to [[UsefulNotes/{{Russia}} Far Überwald]] with the unfortunate name of Mr [[ExcrementStatement Goughnow]]. He discovers there is also a Mr [[PrecisionFStrike Fafunckelloe]] in [[UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} Brindisi]] and a Mr [[PrecisionFStrike Footsack]] in [[UsefulNotes/SouthAfrica Rimwards Howondaland]]. The unfortunately named diplomats are recalled and re-assigned to other countries, and the part of the Palace Secretariat dealing with diplomatic postings receives a stern note and a helpful dictionary of international profanity to guide their thought processes.
85	** However, in ''Fanfic/ThePriceOfFlight'', the Ambassador to the remote nation of [[UsefulNotes/{{Iceland}} Island]] is a Mr Greenland. Unfortunately for him, ''Groenland'', to his host nation, is this fictitious land somewhere on the edge of the Disc, that mad people keep sailing out to and never finding, as it patently doesn't exist. A foreign Ambassador of this name is somewhat amusing.
86	** A young girl called Emma Roydes has passed selection exams to the Assassins' Guild School with flying colours. The Guild believes at the age of ten years and nine months, she has already had ample cause to display commendable fighting skills and an admirable aptitude for applied aggression. Seen as a new first year student, she has a best friend who affectionately nicknames her "Piles". And gets away with it.
87	* In ''Fanfic/AtTheFoodCourt'', when [[OriginalCharacter Rhys]] finds out that Gary's wife is named Arwen, he remarks that she was a victim of ''Literature/LordOfTheRings''-obsessed parents if there ever was one.
88	* In ''Fanfic/BuckyBarnesGetsHisGrooveBackAndOtherInternationalIncidents'', Sam Wilson's parents' labradoodle is named Bartholomew Zebulon Wilson. Sam calls him Barf.
89	* ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries'' has Dr. Brainstorm, whose ObviouslyEvil name is lampshaded:
90	--> '''Calvin:''' That's a dumb name. Why not something interesting? Like Doctor Doom, or Doctor Chaos, or [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Doctor Chaotic Doom]]?
91	* Golden Retriever, Twilight's assistant in ''Fanfic/TheDemesneOfTheReluctantTwilightSparkle''. Twilight eventually grants her a literal license, "as a civil servant of the highest order", to kick the flank of anypony who teases her about her name within the bounds of the demesne.
92	* ''Fanfic/ADiplomaticVisit'':
93	** As noted under FantasticNamingConvention, the wolves of the Packlands are named after a trait the elders observe in them. One of Swift-Pad's litter-mates is Giggle-Snort, who would love to forget that he was named for the noise he made when he was first being groomed as a pup.
94	** Subverted by the wolf Aargh. He thinks his name is hilarious, and so does pretty much everyone else when they hear the story of how he got it. (Short version: It's what another wolf yelled when young Aargh, acting in defense of his mother and litter-mates, [[ButtBiter bit him on the butt]]. They bent the rules a little in his case.)
95	* In the ''Fanfic/FalloutEquestria'' universe it is something of a tradition for named [[KnightTemplar Steel Rangers]] to have embarrassing food-based names such as Cottage Cheese and Butterbean.
96	* ''Fanfic/Gensokyo20XX'' has Ren's brother Baka and Ren could never really figure out why and always thought it was because he wasn't very bright, though he also did note that, according to his father, that was the name only he responded to and the name stuck. However, true to his name, he isn't really very bright.
97	* [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/16501658/chapters/38649710 ''Half Jack'']] is a fic of ''Series/HoratioHornblower'' by faantine ([=BreathingSpace=]). Horatio Hornblower doesn't quite like his name in canon, especially his Christian name, but in this fic, it's his surname that earns him some lighthearted scoff.
98	-->'''Archie:''' Sub-Lieutenant Kennedy. Archie.\
99	'''Horatio:''' ''[they shake hands]'' Sub-Lieutenant Hornblower.\
100	'''Archie:''' ''[grins]'' Hornblower? Fuck me, that’s unfortunate.
101	* ''Fanfic/TheManyDeathsOfHarryPotter'': Upon meeting Neville Longbottom for the first time, Harry immediately thinks that unless other Wizarding surnames are similarly bizarre, Neville's surname likely makes him a bully magnet.
102	-->''With a name like Longbottom, Harry suspected that (Neville) had to have been bullied, unless other wizard names were just as outlandish.''
103	* ''Fanfic/MiTruLov'' has two major antagonists called Vommy and Snoteleks.
104	* Mistblossom from ''FanFic/MoonlitPathDisloyalHearts'' learns from her Clan's [[{{Seers}} medicine cat]] that her kit has a special destiny. Mistblossom misinterprets this prophecy as meaning that her daughter is destined to become a powerful Clan [[TheLeader leader]] and names her daughter "Moonkit". Using a "Moon" prefix for a kit's name is a very sacrilegious amongst the Clans because it's considered disrespectful to their ancestors in [=StarClan=]. Several of Moonkit's Clanmates avoid calling her by name because it's such a taboo name.
105	* ''Fanfic/MyImmortal'': Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way. The author was presumably trying for an AwesomeMccoolname-cum-DarknessVonGothickname, but she ended up with a name which, translated to Layman's Terms, is "Black Black Senility Bird Direction". That's ''before'' you take into account the author's apparent inability to spell it the same way twice (to the point she's usually referred to by snarkers as "Enoby").
106	* ''Fanfic/ThePokemonSquad'':
107	** Brock's Cousin's name is literally "Brock's Cousin". His grandfather is named "Grandpa Harrison".
108	** "RM's Friend", "RM's Other Friend", "RM's Friend's Twin", and "RM's Other Friend's 'Sister'". Those are their actual names.
109	* ''Fanfic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse'' has its main character Trixie '''Lulamoon''', who always wishes to be addressed by her first name (unless she is drunk, then her second name). Apparently, there is a childhood rhyme that is the cause behind the name being unfortunate.
110	* ''Fanfic/SaetwosStory'': Just like in [[VideoGame/LogicalJourneyOfTheZoombinis the game]], one of the cave guardians is named Ignorameous, which all the Zoombinis find hilarious.
111	-->'''Ignorameous''': Why does everybody always laugh when I say that?!
112	* The entire joke of the one-shot fic ''[[https://www.fimfiction.net/story/497054/1/whats-in-a-name/shouldve-called-her-deeply-concerned What's in a Name]]'' revolves around a character having one of these; Neverwill Toybreak and Stick Switch came up with the name of their daughter by combining the name of two of their relatives, Jail Cell the Fourth and Bait Switch, resulting in the name Jailbait. They decide to change her name when Cheerilee informs them of its definition.
113	* ''Fanfic/WhiteSheepRWBY'': Due to ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''[='s=] use of FunWithAcronyms, the team of '''C'''inder, '''M'''ercury, '''E'''merald, and '''N'''eo is called Team CMEN. It's supposed to be pronounced "Cinnamon," but Professor Port doesn't bother. He keeps making loud {{Double Entendre}}s during his role as announcer for the tournament, even as Oobleck tries to keep him in line.
114	-->'''Mercury:''' I knew we should have changed it.
115	[[/folder]]
116
117	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
118	* The main antagonist of ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie'' is named Pee Pee Diarrheastein Poopypants. It somehow manages to be ''even worse'' than [[Literature/CaptainUnderpants the source material's]] Professor Pippy Peepee Poopypants. He is not happy about people constantly laughing at his name, and it drives him to villainy.
119	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'', one of Coraline's new neighbors is named Wyborne. As in, "[[PunnyName why born]]." Don't think [[LittleMissSnarker Coraline]] doesn't notice this.
120	* ''Franchise/DespicableMe'':
121	** In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe2'', the head of the Anti-Villain League is Silas Ramsbottom. The Minions [[HehHehYouSaidX find his last name hilarious]], and even Gru gets in a jab or two:
122	--->'''Gru:''' Good day, [[MaliciousMisnaming Mr. Sheepsbutt]].\
123	'''Ramsbottom:''' Ramsbottom.\
124	'''Gru:''' [[SarcasmMode Yeah, like that's any better!]]
125	** In [[WesternAnimation/DespicableMe3 the third film]], Gru's twin brother's name is Dru. Okay, right? Well, no. Gru's full name is [[LastNameBasis Felonius Gru]]. This means that his brother is named Dru Gru. Sheesh!
126	[[/folder]]
127
128	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
129	* ''Film/Drive2011'' has the character [[GenderBlenderName Shannon]], who's described as a man who never got a break. Apparently it started at birth.
130	* ''Film/AFineMess.'' Dennis' boss is named Mr. Wardell Flecken, a shortened version of ''Fleckenshicker''. Dennis asks, "Is that like ''Shickenflucker''?"
131	* The Bayags of the Filipino film ''Film/FourSistersAndAWedding''. "Bayag" is the Filipino word for [[spoiler:testicle]], leading to many jokes when Teddie tries to find dirt on them.
132	* ''Film/HighSchool2010'': The introductory scene of the movie is set at a SpellingBee. The three-time champion has the name Charlyne Phuc.
133	* Film/{{Kolya}}: Ms Zubatá the social worker, whose surname not only literally means "toothy", but also is the Czech equivalent of "Grim Reaper". The latter meaning is lampshaded by the dialogue:
134	--> '''Louka''': We have to disappear before Zubatá comes after us.
135	* ''Meet The Hitlers'' is a documentary about people who happen to be have the surname "Hitler". Most of them faced bullying growing up due to their name.
136	* In ''Film/MeetTheParents'', Greg's surname is Focker, which is bad enough, especially for his fiancee whose [[TheMaidenNameDebate married name]] would be Pamela Martha Focker. Then we find out "Greg" isn't his real first name; it's Gaylord. Yep, someone thought it would be a great idea to name a kid "Gay Focker".
137	* Extremely PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian''.
138	** Pontius Pilate has a great personal friend whose name is... Biggus Dickus.
139	--->'''Pilate:''' He has a wife, you know. You know what she's called? She's called... Incontinentia. [''beat''] Incontinentia Buttocks.
140	** And as a prelude to that, Brian admitted having a Roman father whose name was "Naughtius Maximus". The Roman Centurion quickly laughed at it and caught on that it's a joke name, like "Sillius Sodus" or the aforementioned "Biggus Dickus".
141	* Michael Bolton from ''Film/OfficeSpace'' absolutely ''hates'' that [[Music/MichaelBolton singer by the same name]] who became famous at about the time the character hit puberty. And hates being asked [[NeverHeardThatOneBefore "is that your real name?"]]
142	-->'''Samir:''' Well, why don't you just go by "Mike" instead of Michael?
143	-->'''Michael:''' No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks!
144	* The villain of ''Film/RedEye'' is named "[[UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper Jackson Rippner]]." [[MeaningfulName Fitting for Jackson]], to be sure, but who in their right mind would inflict such a name on their kid? (Apparently, he expressed similar views to them. Right before he killed them.)
145	* ''Film/RobinHoodMenInTights'':
146	** Latrine, who is revealed to have changed her name ''to'' Latrine. Her given name? ''Shithouse''.
147	** A RunningGag involves a character named "Ahchoo". Whenever his name is mentioned, someone else will inevitably respond with "bless you".
148	* ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'' had a gag where it turned out most of Dark Helmet's goons had the surname Asshole.
149	-->'''Dark Helmet''': I knew it! [[SurroundedByIdiots I'm surrounded by assholes!]]
150	* Creator/DrewBarrymore has a great scene in ''Film/TheWeddingSinger'' where she's trying out her married name in front of a mirror and realizes she's about to become "Mrs. Julia Gulia".
151	* In ''Film/YoungMrLincoln'', attorney Lincoln is cross-examining a witness who goes by J. Palmer Cass (first name John). Lincoln jokingly insinuates that he goes by his middle name because of this trope, and that he'd prefer to call the witness Jack Cass.
152	[[/folder]]
153
154	[[folder:Music]]
155	* In Creator/ShelSilverstein's "A Boy Named Sue," [[CoveredUp best known]] for its Music/JohnnyCash cover, the narrator's father names him Sue so that he'll grow up tough. It works, but the narrator still resents the name and at the end of the song vows that when he has a son of his own he'll name him "anything but Sue."
156	* Music/{{Gorillaz}}'s singer 2D is actually named Stuart Pot, and became known as [[PunnyName Stu-Pot]] prior to the accidents which gave him his "2 Dents". It could be worse; his father had the family surname legally changed from "Tusspot" after a lifetime of teasing.
157	[[/folder]]
158
159	[[folder:Mythology & Religion]]
160	* Literature/TheBible:
161	** To demonstrate His wrath at idolatrous Israel, {{God}} has the prophet [[Literature/BookOfHosea Hosea]] give his children symbolic names. The first son, Jezreel, is named for a valley where Israel's evil kings have shed blood, and where God promises they will be punished in turn; his daughter is named Lo-ruhamah, "not pitied," because God is through being merciful; and the youngest son is Lo-ammi, "not my people," to foretell that God will eventually send Israel into exile among the nations.
162	** The prophet [[Literature/BookOfIsaiah Isaiah]] named his younger son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which means "spoil quickly, plunder speedily," again to foretell Judah's coming doom. His older brother Shear-Jashub ("a remnant shall return") lucked out and got a happy prophecy.
163	** Ishbosheth's name means 'from the mouth of shame'. A very early translator had changed it from Ishbaal ('from the mouth of Baal') due to concern about Baal worship.
164	** The wife of Phineas went into labor after hearing about the death of her husband and father-in-law, as well as the Ark of the Covenant being taken captive by the Philistines. She named her son Ichabod, which translates to something like "where is the glory?" or "alas! the glory (has departed)."
165	** In the Literature/BookOfGenesis, Rachel names her son Ben-oni, "son of my pain," before [[DeathByChildbirth dying from childbirth]]. Jacob gave him the less unfortunate name Benjamin, "son of the wilderness" (or possibly "the south").
166	** In the Literature/BookOfExodus, Miriam means "bitter sea," traditionally because she was born the same year that the Egyptians began to embitter the lives of the Hebrews.
167	* Kopreus was an uncle of king Eurystheus of Mycene, who had the job of delivering Eurystheus' orders about what the next Labour was going to be to [[Characters/ClassicalMythology Herakles]]. "Kopreus" means "dung-heap".
168	* Also [[UranusIsShowing Uranus]], father of the Titans, [[CrossCulturalKerfluffle although not in the original language]]. In Greek, Uranus (or more properly [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ouranos]]) means "sky" or "heaven", and pronunciation is more like "ooh-rah-nos". [[GroinAttack Ironically, it was one of his private parts on the]] ''[[GroinAttack opposite]]'' [[GroinAttack side that got abused in a famous myth]].
169	* The name Nimrod was not an unfortunate name in Bible times, but has become so these days because of its association with dimwittedness from Bugs Bunny. [[note]]Bugs Bunny used "Nimrod" to taunt Elmer Fudd making reference to the fact he is a hunter.[[/note]]
170	** May be OlderThanPrint, actually, since in Dante's ''[[Literature/TheDivineComedy Inferno]]'' he is shown to be one of several giants guarding the pit of Hell. He can only utter meaningless gibberish, and Virgil taunts him as being stupid.
171	** It may be an unfortunate name in English speaking countries, but it's actually fairly common in Israel.
172	* In Chinese Mythology, the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea can be transliterated (i.e., in pinyin) as ''Dong Hai Long Wang''. It's not funny in Chinese at all, when consulting someone with Chinese as a mother tongue, in case anyone's wondering.
173	* Aversion with Lot. Lot (spelling varies) who preaches in the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah where the citizens are violent, lustful, and where homosexuality is rampant. The last part is the reason you don't find anyone named Lot (spelling varies) in any Abrahamic religions. Doubles with WhatDidYouExpectWhenYouNamedIt.
174	[[/folder]]
175
176	[[folder:Podcast]]
177	* ''Podcast/{{Trashfuture}}'' has an episode devoted to a radio play about a man named John Taliban, a Ford car salesman living in the modern U.S. who refuses to change his last name despite being called "John Taliban".
178	[[/folder]]
179
180	[[folder:Stand-Up Comedy]]
181	* Creator/DanaCarvey had a stand up comedy commercial featuring UsefulNotes/CharlesManson [[UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler Hitler]]. It was a routine from a cable standup comedy special riffing on the unfortunate name of President [[UsefulNotes/BarackObama Barack Hussein Obama]]. [[DontExplainTheJoke (It might as well have been "Iraq Hussein Osama.")]]
182	* Creator/RowanAtkinson's standup set includes a skit called "No One Called Jones", where the names of boys in a charter school are either unusual or flat-out profane.
183	-->'''Atkinson''': Rigid, Fistup, Bottom - ''[[GetOut out]]''!
184	[[/folder]]
185
186	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
187	* Discussed in the TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} supplement ''GURPS Mixed Doubles'', filled with sample SuperHero characters. One mentioned, Streaker, went into retirement in part because his crimefighting pseudonym (originally from the streaky afterimages from his SuperSpeed) was adopted as a term for running through a public place naked.
188	[[/folder]]
189
190	[[folder:Theatre]]
191	* From ''Theatre/HMSPinafore'': "You can't expect a chap with such a name as ''Dick Deadeye'' to be a popular character-- now can you?"
192	* The main character of ''Theatre/InTheHeights'', played by Creator/LinManuelMiranda, is called Usnavi (US Navy), named after a ship his parents saw upon arrival from the Dominican Republic. He's not too fond of it.
193	* In ''Theatre/TheRoseTattoo'', Alvaro's last name is Mangiacavallo. Its Italian meaning, "Eat-a-Horse", cements his status as clown.
194	-->"It's a comical name, I know. Maybe two thousand and seventy years ago one of my grandfathers got so hungry that he ate up a horse. That ain't my fault."
195	* The local constable in ''Theatre/LovesLaboursLost'' introduces himself with the sentence "I am Dull." How the other characters react is up to each individual production, but it's proof that no joke is too obvious for Shakespeare to include.
196	* ''Theatre/SomeLikeItHot'': Joe, who had originally noted "Sugar Kane" as being an on-the-nose, punny stage name, has to chuckle at her real name being [[spoiler:Gertrude Mudd]].
197	[[/folder]]
198
199	[[folder:Video Games]]
200	* ''Franchise/AceAttorney'': Larry Butz. The other characters note, "When something smells, it's usually the Butz".
201	** The fan-made ''[[VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorneyCase5TurnaboutSubstitution Turnabout Substitution]]'' has Judge Gerald Strings, son of Chief Justice Paul Strings. This wouldn't be so bad if not for one tiny detail: the game's own text boxes. Since his father is labelled "Strings", you'd expect the game to call him "Gerald". Instead, it calls him '''"[[{{Stripperriffic}} G. Strings]]"'''.
202	* A band of NPC adventurers in ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'' has a character named Smaeluv Orcslicer, who constantly gets mocked with the nickname "Smelly".
203	* {{Downplayed\|Trope}} example from ''VideoGame/Borderlands3'': [[KungFuWizard Amara]] notes that her name [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast means "deathless"]] on 37 different worlds, but it's also the name of a hair conditioner in 8. She evidently made the most out of it [[CelebritySuperhero by becoming a brand ambassador for said hair product line]].
204	* ''VideoGame/CragneManor'': Parodied. A book by the Hillbilly Bathroom Laughter Press, called ''The Book of Unfortunate Baby Names'', lists some "real bad names" that "real bad parents" gave their kids: John Poopnazi, Flossie Candyass, Elizabeth Dicksmith, and Poonpounder H. Washington Jones. The protagonist admits that they're pretty bad.
205	* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCity'' has Lance Vance, which he got mocked for in high school. Tommy Vercetti says it all: "Lance Vance. Poor bastard."
206	* ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'': Admiral Koris is the captain of the Quarian starship Qwib-Qwib and gets rather defensive when questioned on the subject, explaining that ships are bought from different cultures and that it can be difficult to change its registry information. He has thought about changing the ship's name to the Defranzh or the Iktomi, which is even more unfortunate when you say the full name since Quarian names traditionally go "[first name] vas [ship name]".
207	* Poor Guybrush Threepwood is the running joke of the ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' series.
208	** A man in ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'' who mocks his name is called ''[[HypocriticalHumor Mancomb Seepgood]]''.
209	** Also, Haggis [=McMutton=] from ''VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland'':
210	--->'''Haggis''': Well, Haggis is only my nickname. My true name is 'Heart Lungs And Liver Boiled In The Stomach Of The Animal [=McMutton=]'. \
211	'''Guybrush''': Oh, so your parents were expecting a girl.\
212	'''Haggis''': Aye.
213	* Jackass, a senior member of the Resistance in ''VideoGame/NierAutomata''. 9S is always reluctant to refer to her by name, and it's never revealed why she has a name like that.
214	* The main character of ''VideoGame/PizzaTower'' is an Italian man with the comically stereotypical name of Peppino Spaghetti. One of the tutorial [=NPCs=] mocks him for this. Said tutorial NPC also mocks the name of the second playable character, Theodore "The Noise" Noise.
215	* Many characters in the ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' series have names playing up the stereotypes they embody. These include Glass Joe (a wimpy Frenchman), Von Kaiser (a militant German), Bald Bull (a Turk), Bear Hugger (a fat Canadian), Bob Charlie (from Jamaica) and Vodka Drunkenski (a Russian) to name a few. Probably the most egregious is "Pizza Pasta" from the original arcade game.
216	* ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'': Chops' last name is Sweetwind, something [[TheBully Bobby Zilch]] mocks on his CharacterBlog.
217	-->'''Bobby:''' Heh heh heh. Sweetwind. Heh heh.
218	* In ''VideoGame/RecettearAnItemShopsTale'', Tear points out that the eponymous store's name looks a lot like "racketeer".
219	* ''[[VideoGame/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice Sam and Max Beyond Time and Space]]:'' In the final episode, Sam and Max have to [[ItMakesSenseInContext stop Peepers of the Soda Poppers from seducing Sybil Pandemik with black magic]] by [[IKnowYourTrueName guessing his true name]], but the only person who knows it is [[ClusterBleepBomb the constantly bleeped-out]] [[HollywoodTourettes Timmy Two-Teeth]]. After fiddling with Hell's censorship division, Sam and Max finally learn Peepers' real name is "Dick Peacock", and their reaction indicates they quickly realized why it was censored in the first place.
220	* In ''VideoGame/ShantaeHalfGenieHero'', Shantae's first boss battle is against the Tinkerslug, a giant slug with mounted pirate ship cannons. Its full name, according to Risky, is the "Part Omni-Organic, Partially Titanic, Ocean-Optional Tinkerslug". Shantae is quick to point out the unfortunate acronym:
221	-->'''Shantae:''' P.O.O.P. T.O.O.T.?\
222	'''Risky:''' ''Don't call it that!''\
223	\
224	'''Boss Subtitles:''' TINKERSLUG (Don't call it Poop Toot!)
225	* One of the mock commercials in ''VideoGame/YouDontKnowJack: Fifth Dementia'' is for "The Society for People With Unfortunate Names", including such members as Eileen Dover and her husband Ben.
226	[[/folder]]
227
228	[[folder:Web Videos]]
229	* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'': [[Creator/MatthewMercer Matt Mercer]] tries, but this happens to him several times once the players get hold of his [=NPCs=]. Especially [[Creator/LauraBailey Laura]] [[OneOfTheBoys Bailey]] or Creator/SamRiegel.
230	** A historical figure in the setting is the former Champion of the [[GodOfTheDead Matron of Ravens]] Purvan Suul. When Vox Machina hears about him, many jokes are made at his expense, even when they find his tomb. Purvan himself turns up in the DistantPrequel ''WebVideo/CriticalRoleExandriaUnlimited: Calamity'' in a cameo, where once again his name gets commented on, but he defends it with an indignant [[CrossCulturalKerfuffle "It's normal where I come from."]]
231	** In Campaign 3, Matt briefly introduced an NPC named Mick Hunts, but the way he pronounced it definitely sounded like [[CountryMatters "Mike Hunt"]]. Once again, the cast didn't let him live it down.
232	--->'''Matt Mercer:''' All [=NPCs=] are now named David.
233	** Also in Campaign 3, Sam Riegel's character is a [[EmpathicHealer heal]][[CuteMachines bot]] named Fresh Cut Grass (F.C.G. for short). He explains to the party that his creator named him and his fellow automata for her favorite smells: Fresh Cut Grass, Oatmeal, Apple Pie, [[BreadEggsMilkSquick Pussy]]...
234	[[/folder]]

Context Main / UnfortunateNames