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Being burdened with an embarrassing name can feel like a never-ending sentence. No matter what you accomplish, you might still be remembered as the person whose parents christened them 'Dick Small.' It's a struggle familiar to every boy named Willie and every substitute teacher who has to introduce herself as 'Mrs. Cockswell.'
Yet, some of these people refused to let their names define them. They stepped out into the world and achieved remarkable things—achievements that would be staples in history classes if only we could survive a unit without the inevitable giggles from middle schoolers whenever a name like 'Bushrod Johnson' or 'Emperor Pupienus' is mentioned.
10. Dick Bong - America’s Top Flying Ace
He was known as the 'Ace of Aces,' 'the bravest of the brave,' and 'America’s top World War II pilot.' But to those who knew him best, he was simply Dick Bong.
Dick Bong downed more enemy aircraft than any other American pilot. He enlisted to fight just months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and soon found himself engaged in fierce dogfights with Japanese aviators above the Pacific.
Any man might have faltered in those intense aerial combat situations, but Dick Bong remained unwavering, no matter how high the stakes. To him, flying in combat was merely a 'great game that made life interesting'—and that mindset made him an incredible force. Though Bong only served in the military for two years, he managed to shoot down an astounding 40 enemy planes during that brief period.
In most places, Dick Bong is largely forgotten. We learn about the Red Baron and Charles Lindbergh, yet somehow, Major Bong is left out of the history books. However, in his hometown, his legacy endures. After his death, Poplar High School established the 'Bong Memorial Room' in his honor—though, oddly enough, it was eventually relocated to a building with fewer students.
9. Ali Bitchin and His Incredible Mosque
Ali Bitchin, one of the most influential figures of the 17th century, began his life as a slave named Piccini. But everything transformed when he adopted the Bitchin name.
At the age of 10, young Piccini was captured by the Algerian forces and sold to a group of pirates. These pirates taught him the art of raiding and plundering on the high seas, and even gave him a new name. Before long, no name struck more fear across the Mediterranean than 'Bitchin.'
Pirate Bitchin amassed such vast wealth that by the time he reached adulthood, he was one of the richest men in Algiers. It wasn’t just his wealth—he controlled so much capital that he became a key source of the country’s financial strength.
Bitchin left behind one monumental legacy that ensured his name would never be forgotten. To win the heart of a stunning princess, Bitchin constructed a grand mosque that continues to bear his name. In fact, it’s now protected by the UN as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ensuring the world never forgets his Bitchin Mosque.
8. Dr. Gay Hitler, Son of George Washington Hitler
Circleville, Ohio, is a town with a rich legacy tied to the Hitler family. Small markers honoring the influence of the Hitlers can be found throughout the town—from the serene waters of Hitler Pond to the lush expanses of Hitler Park, as well as the numerous streets named after them.
However, these roads are not named after Adolf. They are named in tribute to the honorable Hitlers who helped shape the town, including George Washington Hitler, his son Dr. Gay Hitler, and the pioneering Hitlers who originally settled Circleville.
When Dr. Gay Hitler opened a dental office in downtown Circleville in 1922, his name was a point of pride and a reflection of his deep ties to the community. But as news of fascism’s rise in Berlin began to spread, the once-proud name of Hitler took on a different, less favorable connotation.
It was especially difficult for Dr. Gay Hitler’s brother, George, who had relocated to Akron. His employer, fearful of having a 'Hitler' on staff, attempted to coerce George into changing his name.
In Circleville, however, the name still commanded respect, and the community stood by the Hitlers. To this day, they refuse to alter the signs that display the name 'Hitler.' Even during the toughest times, Circleville remained a place where a man could walk with pride and proclaim, 'I am Gay Hitler.'
7. Bushrod Johnson - Underground Railroad’s Confederate General
Among all the figures in the American Civil War, none is more fascinating than Bushrod Johnson. He was the only individual who both helped free slaves through the Underground Railroad and simultaneously fought to preserve slavery as a Confederate general.
Johnson was raised in Ohio by a family of strong abolitionists. His uncle was deeply involved in the Underground Railroad, and as a teenager, Johnson joined him in guiding escaped slaves from southern plantations to freedom in the North.
However, when the Civil War erupted, Johnson was living in Tennessee and working as a professor. To everyone's shock, he enlisted in the Confederate Army.
Johnson’s shift wasn’t due to a sudden change of heart—it was because he was rejected by the Union Army. After being court-martialed during the Mexican-American War, the Union no longer wanted him. In contrast, Tennessee had made him wealthier than he had ever been. And while he cared about the rights of slaves, his primary concern was avoiding poverty again.
Johnson rose to the rank of general in the Confederate Army, even leading them to a major victory at the Battle of Chickamauga. He did it all with immense shame. Throughout the war, he asked those who knew of his actions to lie and tell his family he was fighting for the Union.
6. Misty Hyman – World Record–Holding Swimming Champion
Nobody expected Misty Hyman to set a world record when she entered the competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics. After all, she was up against a far more seasoned competitor, Susie O’Neill, the record holder for the fastest 200-meter butterfly in history.
Hyman faced significant obstacles. She had asthma and was shorter than her rivals, giving her no physical advantage. She believed her only hope was to employ a superior strategy, so she tried a technique none of the other swimmers had attempted.
That technique was the 'underwater dolphin kick.' This challenging maneuver required her to kick on her side, a method previously viewed as a novelty rather than a viable speed tactic. Hyman executed it so masterfully that she surged past the competition, clinching a gold medal for the United States and setting a new Olympic record for the fastest butterfly stroke in history.
The victory was such a shocking surprise that some of her opponents accused her of using steroids. However, there’s no evidence that Misty Hyman was anything other than pure. Her innovative technique revolutionized swimming. Since that breakthrough performance, Olympic swimmers have adopted her underwater dolphin kick, ensuring that Misty Hyman’s legacy will forever alter the sport of competitive swimming.
5. Dick Pound - Founder of the World Anti-Doping Agency
If Misty Hyman had been under suspicion, she likely would have faced a thorough investigation, especially if Dick Pound had been involved. If she had been using steroids, Dick Pound—one of the strongest opponents of steroid abuse in the Olympics—would have uncovered it.
You’ll almost always find Dick Pound behind the headlines when an athlete is caught for drug abuse. He’s the mastermind behind the World Anti-Doping Agency and has played a pivotal role in bringing steroid abuse in sports to the forefront. Through his agency, Pound chaired the committee that exposed Russia’s use of performance-enhancing drugs, leading to the country’s ban from the 2018 Olympics.
Pound is also the man who took down Lance Armstrong. He was the first to publicly highlight the widespread steroid abuse in professional cycling, and he did it at great personal risk. Pound exposed Armstrong’s drug use so forcefully that Armstrong launched a public campaign to have him dismissed.
For a time, it seemed like Armstrong had outsmarted Dick Pound. Armstrong convinced the IOC to reprimand Pound and halt his accusations. But Pound's World Anti-Doping Agency wouldn’t give up until the truth came to light. By the time Pound was finished with Armstrong, the cyclist’s life was in shambles.
4. Dr. Doctor – The Physician Who Killed President James Garfield
When Doctor Bliss was born, one of the women attending the birth suggested that they name him after the doctor who had delivered him. So, his parents decided to name him Doctor.
Having parents who believed 'Doctor' was an acceptable first name might help explain the bizarre trajectory of Dr. Doctor Bliss’s life. As we’ll see, Dr. Doctor’s story is one of the strangest in history.
Dr. Doctor was the physician called in when President James Garfield was shot. His job was to extract the bullet from the president’s body before it was too late—but things went terribly wrong. Dr. Doctor probed the wound but failed to locate the bullet.
What followed is so bizarre that it might sound like a scene from a Wacky Mad Libs story, but it truly happened. Dr. Doctor decided that the only person who could help was Alexander Graham Bell—the inventor of the telephone. So Bell rushed to the president’s side and tried using a metal detector on Garfield’s body, hoping for a signal. It didn’t work.
The shot wasn’t fatal, but President Garfield still passed away. Dr. Doctor adamantly refused to sterilize his hands or instruments before performing the surgery. He dismissed antiseptics as nonsense. His dirty hands ended up infecting the president’s wound, and in the end, an American president died—not from his assassin’s bullet, but from the careless actions of a doctor named Doctor.
3. Pupienus – Emperor of Rome
Few stories exemplify the rags-to-riches narrative quite like that of Pupienus Maximus. Born the son of a humble blacksmith, he proved his worth in battle and eventually ascended to become the ruler of the vast Roman Empire. And yes, his name was pronounced “Poopy Anus.”
Pupienus was a military genius. In a remarkably short time, he rose from the rank of a mere centurion to the commander of the entire Roman army. His countless victories earned him the title of Urban Prefect of Rome and, eventually, emperor of the empire.
However, Pupienus wasn’t exactly the most beloved leader. Known for his strict and harsh demeanor, the Senate refused to let him rule alone, forcing him to share the throne with Balbinus. Even so, few could match the extraordinary rise of Pupienus from such humble beginnings to such imperial heights.
For the brief time that they ruled together, Pupienus and Balbinus made a formidable team. Three months, while short for Roman emperors, wasn’t exactly the briefest reign. However, things unraveled when Pupienus left for war. Upon his return, he discovered that Balbinus had become incredibly unpopular, sparking a riot. The enraged populace captured both emperors, dragged them into a bathtub, and viciously executed them.
Nevertheless, the life of Pupienus Maximus remains a remarkable tale of someone who rose from nothing to achieve greatness. His name still appears in the occasional history book, although historians often shy away from his full name and simply refer to him as “Maximus.”
2. Tokyo SexwaleNelson Mandela’s Brother-In-Arms
When we think of South Africa, after Nelson Mandela, one of the first names that should come to mind is Tokyo Sexwale. A true comrade of Mandela, Sexwale embodies the spirit of the nation.
Tokyo Sexwale’s life is an extraordinary journey. Exiled from South Africa for promoting radical views like “racism is wrong,” he didn’t give up. Instead, he spent his exile in a Soviet military camp, preparing for his return with even greater resolve. When he came back, he fought relentlessly for equality, ultimately ending up in a prison cell alongside Mandela.
What makes Sexwale a perfect symbol of a united South Africa is what happened after apartheid ended. Just months before the system officially collapsed, Sexwale married Judy van Vuuren, a white Afrikaner woman. (Though they eventually divorced 20 years later, at the time, it was a bold and powerful act.)
After gaining his freedom, Sexwale rose to become one of South Africa’s richest men and a key political leader. For a time, he was even being considered as the successor to Mandela as the country's next president.
It would make for a truly inspiring movie if it weren’t for the potential of a film named Sexwale attracting the wrong kind of attention. Instead, we tend to hear more about other anti-apartheid heroes with less controversial names, such as Desmond Tutu.
1. Anurag DikshitSelf-Made Billionaire
While there are many people with the last name Dikshit in India, Anurag Dikshit stands out as the wealthiest among them. In the early 2000s, as the internet business boom was beginning, Dikshit became one of the youngest billionaires in history.
Anurag Dikshit is the co-founder of PartyGaming, the online gambling powerhouse behind platforms like PartyPoker.com. Recruited by Ruth Parasol, they transformed the online gambling landscape, turning it into a booming global industry.
Their platform challenged U.S. gambling laws head-on. Though their business could have crossed legal boundaries, Dikshit and Parasol kept it above board. Parasol operated from within the United States, while Dikshit set up servers in countries outside U.S. jurisdiction, finding a legal loophole to keep their operations running smoothly.
Their efforts paid off—soon, Anurag Dikshit was making over $500 million a year. He and Parasol rose to become two of the wealthiest individuals on the planet. Their success even prompted the U.S. to rethink its gambling regulations.
Eventually, Dikshit sold his stake in the company and retired when the Justice Department began investigating illegal gambling activities. Although he faced a hefty $300 million fine, it was a small price to pay. Even after retiring early, Anurag Dikshit remained the wealthiest member of his family on Earth.
