History Main / RapidFireNameGuessing

''I guessed, "Is it Uncle Frank or Cousin Louie? Is it Bob or Joe or Walter? Could it be Bill or Jim or Ed or Bernie or Steve?"''\\

When there are multiple characters in a certain group (usually members of a family) and one of them must be summoned, it is a fairly common occurrence that whoever is calling them will get distracted and start calling out the wrong names. Or, they might just forget who's called what. First the mother will try Tom, then Dick, and so on and so forth... until finally realizing that the son she wants is the one named Harry.

In extreme cases, they may try names which belong to the other sex. Or to distant relatives. Or family pets.

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* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', when Cana tells Gildarts that she is his daughter, he gets completely shocked, and he falls to the ground, rambling off a list of women he's been with who could potentially be her mother. However, when he comes back to his senses, he can instantly tell who Cana's mother actually is, meaning that he just didn't think clearly out of surprise.

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* In ''Literature/BloodOfTheZombies'', you earn the trust of the intern, Amy Fletcher, by [[IKnowYourTrueName revealing you knew her name]]. Problem is, you're attempting to converse with her while she's pointing a gun on your face. The book gives you a chance to guess her name (your only clue being that it starts with an "A"), so you can try calling her "Amelia? Amanda?" until you get it right.

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* ''Webcomic/FreddyFox'': In [[https://www.freddyfoxcomic.com/comic/what-was-her-name-again "What Was Her Name Again?"]] Bea the Australian flying fox recalls seeing a "priddy powerful pomeranian" at the last Psycon, who she thinks might have some golden unicorn roots. She attempts to think about what the latter's name is, but fails and ultimately gives up on doing so.

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* In the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' FilkSong "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z82HH11IFEY What Kind of Name is Hermione?]]" the singers go through more than a dozen names for "that other red-haired boy" in [[TheHero Harry]] and [[TheSmartGuy Hermione]]'s group. Eventually a third voice (possibly Hermione herself) yells "''IT'S [[ClassicalAntiHero RON]]!,''" prompting them to get back to the actual song.

* ''Webcomic/FreddyFox'': In [[https://www.freddyfoxcomic.com/comic/what-was-her-name-again/ "What Was Her Name Again?"]], Bea the Australian flying fox recalls seeing a "priddy powerful pomeranian" at the last Psycon, who she thinks might have some golden unicorn roots. She attempts to think about what the latter's name is, but fails and ultimately gives up on doing so.

* There's a bizarre version in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', where he seems to have actually forgotten Meg's name. He keeps running through the entire family's names until Brian tells him 'it's your son.' "Meg!"

-->'''Brian''': Peter, the final plague is the death of the firstborn son! \\
'''Peter''': Oh no, Stewie! \\
'''Brian''': Your ''firstborn'' son. \\
'''Peter''': Meg! \\
'''Brian''': ''(deadpan)'' Your wife. \\

-->'''Nightmare Moon''': Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am? \\

* ''Webcomic/FreddyFox'': In [[https://www.freddyfoxcomic.com/comic/what-was-her-name-again/ "What Was Her Name Again?"]], Bea the Australian bat recalls seeing a "priddy powerful pomeranian" at the last Psycon, who she thinks might have some golden unicorn roots. She attempts to think about what the latter's name is, but fails and ultimately gives up on doing so.

-->'''Bea''': Hmmm, oi met a priddy powerful pomeranian at the last Psycon. Maybe oi could ask her if she 'as any... Hmmm, what wazzer name again? Harold? No... Sharot? Nah... Carrot? Ah, stuff it... Oi suck at names...

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* In ''Literature/BloodOfTheZombies'', you earn the trust of the intern, Amy Fletcher, by [[IKnowYourTrueName revealing you knew her name]]. Problem is, you're attempting to converse with her while she's pointing a gun on your face - the book gives you a chance to guess her name (your only clue being that it starts with an "A"), so you can try calling her, "Amelia? Amanda?" until you got it right.

* From ''Series/{{Friends}}'': Joey is confused whether he's about to go out with Angela or Andrea. Chandler gives the identifier for each, and Joey remembers that he's going out with Julie.
** Also, Rachel's sister seems unable to remember Emma's name (thinking that Phoebe's name is Emma), and uses every rhyming variation.

* Played with in ''Film/BeingJohnMalkovich''. John Cusack's nerdy puppeteer Craig tries to pick up an attractive woman by guessing her name within three guesses. He then proceeds to engage in RapidFireNameGuessing by mouthing the first few sounds in many female names, using the woman's reaction to home in on the right name. He "guesses" tons of names (via eliminating anything that doesn't have the right sounds) before managing to stammer out "Mar....Mah....x....Maxine?!" She reacts by being surprised and dubious, but agrees to meet him in a bar.

* One of Creator/ErmaBombeck's articles (published in ''[[Literature/IfLifeIsABowlOfCherriesWhatAmIDoingInThePits If Life is a Bowl of Cherries -- What Am I Doing in the Pits?]]'') centers on the embarrassment of forgetting your children's names, which also plagued her mother. Ironically, her mother named her Erma because it was short and easy to remember -- and ''still'' couldn't remember it. This is even more embarrassing/hilarious when you remember that [[NamesTheSame Erma Bombeck was named after her mother]].

* "Psychics" like John Edward do something very similar to this, asking the audience leading questions (usually in the form of an "I'm feeling a..." statement) until someone hears something familiar-sounding and speaks up.

* [[Creator/BillCosby "Sometimes your parents get so mad at you they forget your name]]. 'Come here, Ralph -- Roquefort -- Rutabaga -- ''what is your name, boy?!'' And don't you lie to me, because you live here and ''I'll find out who you are!''"

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-->'''Ted''': No.
-->'''John''': Wait, was it any one of those names with a "Lynn" after it?
-->'''Ted''': Yes!

* Prince Eric in ''Disney/TheLittleMermaid'' tries to guess [[CuteMute Ariel]]'s name, with mixed results ("Mildred?" "Rachel?"). Sebastian the crab has to prompt him.

* One of Erma Bombeck's articles (published in ''[[Literature/IfLifeIsABowlOfCherriesWhatAmIDoingInThePits If Life is a Bowl of Cherries -- What Am I Doing in the Pits?]]'') centers on the embarrassment of forgetting your children's names, which also plagued her mother. Ironically, her mother named her Erma because it was short and easy to remember -- and ''still'' couldn't remember it. This is even more embarrassing/hilarious when you remember that [[NamesTheSame Erma Bombeck was named after her mother]].

* One of Erma Bombeck's articles (published in ''Literature/IfLifeIsABowlOfCherriesWhatAmIDoingInThePits If Life is a Bowl of Cherries -- What Am I Doing in the Pits?]]'') centers on the embarrassment of forgetting your children's names, which also plagued her mother. Ironically, her mother named her Erma because it was short and easy to remember -- and ''still'' couldn't remember it. This is even more embarrassing/hilarious when you remember that [[NamesTheSame Erma Bombeck was named after her mother]].

* One of Erma Bombeck's articles centers on the embarrassment of forgetting your children's names, which also plagued her mother. Ironically, her mother named her Erma because it was short and easy to remember -- and ''still'' couldn't remember it. This is even more embarrassing/hilarious when you remember that [[NamesTheSame Erma Bombeck was named after her mother]].

* In the ''HarryPotter'' FilkSong "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z82HH11IFEY What Kind of Name is Hermione?]]" the singers go through more than a dozen names for "that other red-haired boy" in [[TheHero Harry]] and [[TheSmartGuy Hermione]]'s group. Eventually a third voice (possibly Hermione herself) yells "''IT'S [[ClassicalAntiHero RON]]!,''" prompting them to get back to the actual song.

-->'''L''': Near... It stands for Near, Light. Remember it. I'm glad that you're showing an interest though, for I never expected any less of you. However, I am most insulted on his behalf that you think that he could be named after [[WesternAnimation/FindingNemo a lost fish]] or KeanuReeves.

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-->'''John''': Oh, I got you, motherfucker! I got you! Alright, Brandi-Lynn, Heather-Lynn, Channi—

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