Just as Kylie’s impending nuptials signal the evolution of brand Minogue, celebrities from Elton John to Katy Perry have long believed a name can shape a destiny

Why does former Australian health minister Sussan Ley have three Ss in her first name when two would suffice? And are the constituents of the New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian any better at pronouncing her surname?

With all the recent political comings and goings, these may feel like less urgent questions, but they’re no less interesting. Then again, I would say that wouldn’t I? For the past six years, I’ve written a regular column for the Guardian’s Mind your language section. So when others see political turmoil and ask, “What happens now?” I ask: “I wonder if nominative determinism played a part here?”

Continue reading…https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jan/30/could-kylie-minogues-surname-change-really-give-her-more-sasse