The name game
15 August 2012 | Paul Snell
A family history website has done some analysis of the 1911 census, examining which names were most popular for particular professions.
It found farmers were likely to be called John, butchers named Tom and accountants called Annie. The analysis said that while some patterns could be a coincidence, there was a clear difference in the names between blue- and white-collar professions.
Procurement and supply was probably not recognised as a profession in the early 20th century, but I wonder what someone will find when they look back at the most recent census data in 100 years’ time. Will Supply Management be reporting on similar analysis, which found purchasers called Pete or buyers named Barbara?
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I wonder if we can be named Procurmentist or Logistist in the context of purchasing and supply respectively one day. They are fit for the intended purposes. Of course, it is only CIPS can approve.
Miller, Smith, etc. certainly have their names in historical trades and professions. Richard Branson, in this age of commercialism and materialiasm, made the connection of his companies success to BRANDson perhaps being the orgin of his name.
No idea about purchasing, but I kid you not… I once had a Bank Manager called Mr. Maybe…!!
Every Accounts department I have ever reported to, had a lady called Joan working for them ! I also had a colleague called Mr Budget , an Accountant. (True !)