Names are a key factor in how we navigate life, both socially and career-wise. Our name is the first form of identity we take on, and it greatly shapes our personality. Studies have shown that people with common, warm, and competent-sounding names are more socially accepted and more likely to land better jobs in general, in contrast to people whose names convey the opposite, who face social neglect and have trouble getting employed. This is also because “good” names give people confidence, which helps in all aspects. Names also signal our gender and racial identity, and sadly, these also play a role in how successful we are in life.
When it comes to a leader, a name must exude power, influence, competence, and uniqueness. The names they present themselves with to the public are usually short and memorable too. Hence, you shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that many important political figures had to change their names, or chose to use one of their middle names so that they would fit their public image. Here are some prominent leaders who you probably don’t know by their real or full name:
Woodrow Wilson
He served as the 28th president of the United States between 1913 and 1921. He is generally placed in the upper tier of American presidents, with his generally progressive legislation and approach (he took antitrust measures, lowered tariff rates, supported women’s suffrage, promoted education in rural areas, and kept the US out of WW1). Originally, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, dropped his name after college because “Woodrow Wilson” was more memorable and sounded better than “Thomas Wilson”.
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin was born in 1878 as Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Upon Lenin’s death, he was declared his successor as the leader of the ruling Communist Party and of the Soviet Union. His rule was brutal. He was one of the biggest criminals in world history. Some historians estimated that the numbers killed by Stalin's regime were 20 million or even higher. His name was translated to “man of steel” (as “stal” means steel in Russian).
Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022. He is a controversial character in British Politics. He was praised for “getting Brexit done”, his COVID-19 vaccination programme, and being one of the world’s first leaders to provide humanitarian support for Ukraine, but he was accused of lying, elitism, favouritism, and prejudice. Born Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, he only changed his name after coming to England to attend Eton College, when he supposedly adopted "the eccentric English persona" which he's now known for.
Nelson Mandela
The iconic South African leader fiercely fought against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination imposed by the government. In the 1950s, he had a leading role in organizing the ANC's Defiance Campaign against unjust apartheid laws. He spent 27 years in prison (he was supposed to face a life sentence) and he was released in 1990, due to the growing international pressure and changing political landscape. In 1994, he became the first black president of South Africa, chosen in the first fully representative democratic elections, which marked the end of institutionalized racism. Mandela’s birth name—Rolihlahla—means “pulling the branch of a tree” but was more commonly understood as “troublemaker”. His name, Nelson, was given to him in school, by one of his teachers, Miss Mdingane, who wished to make his name easier to pronounce for the British colonialists.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. - Proverbs 22:1, New International Version of the Bible
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