Maeby She’s Born With It

Why An Arrested Development Character’s Name Keeps Me Up At Night

By: Feli Badji

Let me set a bit of an absurd scene from a favorite show of mine, Arrested Development. Tobias Fünke is a father, a failing future actor, and someone with the unfortunate knack for confusing everyone with unfortunate wording. He’s arriving at their family’s home, which has, unknown to him, been turned into a trap site for the show To Trap A Predator. Now, Tobias isn’t doing anything wrong, unlike many of the people who appear on this show, but when asked what he’s doing there, what he says next gets him arrested.

“Is this about my daughter?”

“Oh so it’s your daughter you’re here to see?”

“Yes … Maeby.”

And the scene above is not just some one-off incident. Maeby is constantly dealing with situations where she or someone else misunderstands the situation, making for a hilarious running joke in a great sitcom. Now, I’ve rewatched Arrested Development too many times to count, but what stood out to me on my most recent rewatch was how no one finds her name weird, especially considering it’s not even her real name but a nickname. I didn't even realize this until recently when a friend pointed it out during a rewatch, and it really made me stop and think. It’s so easy to miss because her full name is only shown to us in a brief clip in the first episode where she’s introduced as “Mae ‘Maeby’ Fünke,” and then it’s never mentioned again.

Yes, you read that right: Maeby. Not Mary, not Macy. M-A-E-B-Y. 

Of course, when watching sitcoms, I’ve learned to suspend any real-world reasoning while watching. However, the fact that Maeby had a more “normal” name that could have easily been used, but instead, she’s stuck with this confusing and unusual name by choice really started to bother me. Naturally, this realization then sent me down a rabbit hole, not just wondering why fictional parents would choose such a name but why real-life parents do it all the time, like my own.

Even as a kid, I’ve always known Felianna was an unusual name. While it’s not wildly out there, it’s definitely a conversation starter. Most of the time, I end up explaining that while I am half Senegalese, my name is not cultural, as many assume. My father actually made it up from a combination of his parents’ names, “Felix” and “Anna.” But as most kids experience, someone gave me the nickname “Feli,” and I made sure it stuck because it was just so much easier for everyone involved. Less awkward pauses while reading roll call, fewer creatively butchered variations, and no more explanations about its backstory. Because even though my name came with a sentimental backstory that I adored, it was still a tiny burden I felt each time I met someone. Somehow, even as a kid, while I didn’t understand why people found my name weird, I still felt the uncomfortable effects of having an uncommon name. But why is that?

The Rise of Unconventional Names and the Against Fight Normalcy

Unconventional names are everywhere, reflecting a profound cultural transformation in how we perceive individual identity. From parents wishing to honor their cultural backgrounds, those wishing to set their kids apart with a distinct name, to celebrities who, to me, feel like they set out to become the #1 trending topic on Twitter with each birth announcement. And of course, these names come with mixed reactions—admiration, judgment, and curiosity. This is because most recently, the trend was to fit in, not stand out. Watch any movie or TV show from the 90s, and you’ll see it, especially ones where they’re in high school. But recently, people want to be different and praise those who are. And this shift is more than a passing trend. It’s a complete change in societal values.

Historically, conformity was king. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, nearly 5% of babies shared the top common name; today, that percentage has dropped to around 1%. This transformation, driven by two different influences, is a product of a cultural shift from valuing uniformity to championing individuality and uniqueness.

A crucial role in this change comes from our increasing access to the internet. Even though baby-naming and phone books were full of names, it’s just so much easier to search for one now. Online articles listing the top 100 names of the year, parent blogs discussing the dos and don’ts of naming, or just a quick search on social media to see the flood of Annas that come in. And while this can lead to people finding names from different cultures and rediscovering names from the past. This overload of information can also lead to people freaking out that the name they chose is too common. Also, because of demographic shifts, including increased immigration and growing cultural diversity, more naming possibilities have been naturally introduced.

The other major influence in this cultural shift is the changing parenting philosophies. Modern parents are becoming less authoritarian and ditching ideas like "children are to be seen and not heard." Instead, the focus is to nurture and make their children feel they can accomplish anything. This approach spreads directly to name selection, where parents view naming as an initial act of helping their child stand out. So in a nutshell, even if the decision isn't conscious, parents usually choose unusual names to prioritize individual expression or select more common names because they value social integration and more traditional belonging. And while unique names certainly set them apart, the adverse social and psychological effects can often be unfortunate.

What's in a Name? The Psychological and Social Implications of Naming Choices

Names are far more than labels. They are powerful social markers that can profoundly shape an individual's psychological development. Choosing between a common and an unusual name carries significant implications that extend far beyond childhood, influencing personal identity, social interactions, and psychological development.

The psychological impact of a name is complex and can change a person in many different ways. Children with unusual names often find themselves navigating a nuanced emotional terrain. While these names can initially trigger feelings of isolation or difference, potentially leading to anxiety and reduced self-esteem because of the adversity faced, they often develop remarkable psychological strength. Having built better impulse control and emotional resilience throughout the many years of managing positive and negative attention because of their name and navigating social challenges.

On the other hand, children with common names typically experience smoother social integration. The familiarity and acceptance that come with a conventional name can contribute to more stable self-perception and reduced social stress. These individuals often enjoy easier social interactions and face fewer obstacles in establishing their identity within peer groups.

The social implications of naming choices are equally complicated. An unusual name can be both a burden and a blessing. Some studies suggest that distinctive names inadvertently create social barriers, with individuals potentially facing unconscious bias in professional and personal settings. For instance, employers may unconsciously make less favorable assumptions about candidates with unconventional names. Yet, this challenge can transform into an opportunity. Many people with unusual names develop a stronger sense of personal identity, learning to leverage their uniqueness as a distinctive personal brand, and others adopt nicknames to navigate social environments more seamlessly, demonstrating excellent adaptive capabilities. While common names generally provide a more stable social foundation, unusual names can force them to develop more social skills.

Ultimately, a name is neither inherently good nor bad—it's a complex social instrument that changes with individual personality, cultural context, and personal perception. The key lies not in the name itself but in how individuals embrace and navigate their unique identities.

A Name Like No Other

Over the past few years, my relationship with my name has been a journey of acceptance and appreciation. Even though growing up with the name Felianna meant years spelling it out, correcting strangers, and navigating the awkward pauses that followed my introduction. What was once exhausting has become a source of unexpected joy. Where once I saw only difficulty, I now see opportunity—a chance to break the ice, spark a conversation, or give people a story they won't forget. Watching Maeby on the show helped me see this opportunity because her name isn't just a name. It's a brilliant narrative device and a perfect example of the show's comedic genius. It's a pun waiting to be discovered, a joke hidden in plain sight. "Maybe" or "Maeby." The name doesn't just exist; it performs, surprises, and makes you laugh. And now, after diving into the complexity of names, I've realized that it's also shaped my social skills and personal identity in ways I never fully appreciated. Without it, I can't imagine how different my life and social interactions would be. And even though I still go by Feli socially, I make a point now to let people know it's only a nickname and share the story of my name.