The curious case of a namesake following exactly in his predecessor’s footsteps

Quarterback Brady Quinn recently made a recruiting visit to Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” football team. Which is…confusing.

For those of you who don’t follow football, Brady Quinn is a Notre Dame legend. He set dozens of team records as the quarterback for the Irish in the 2000s, becoming the most famous college football player of his time. After a modest NFL career, Quinn found a second calling as a tv sportscaster. The Brady Quinn who visited Notre Dame this month, though, was only 16 years old. He’s a high school student from Florida who is being recruited as a future college quarterback.

The shared name turns out to be more than a coincidence. Young Brady’s father is a lifelong Notre Dame fan who leapt on the chance to name his son exactly after the Fighting Irish hero. The homage has turned out to be prophetic, and complicated.

Sharing the Spotlight

Lots of people share names, including famous people. Some use middle names or initials to distinguish themselves, like actor Michael B. Jordan vs. basketball star Michael Jordan. Others actually change their names for more separation, like actor Albert Brooks (born Albert Einstein). Yet plenty simply share, like actress Michelle Williams and Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams.

I’ve encountered countless examples of name-alikes, but never a case quite like the Bradys Quinn. It’s rare enough to find one prominent person named in honor of an unrelated other, still living, with the same surname. It’s downright remarkable to find them poised for the precise same path to fame. Not just athletes, not just football players, but quarterbacks—potentially wearing the same Fighting Irish uniform only two decades apart.

If the Quinns were actors instead of athletes, this couldn’t happen. The Screen Actors Guild doesn’t allow duplicate names, so a prospective member whose real name is already claimed has to work under a different name. This rule reflects the reality that performers’ names are brands. Allowing another actor to put the name Tom Cruise on a marquee would result in brand confusion and dilution.

Name, Image, Likeness

As it happens, the value of names as brands is a hot topic in college sports as well. Four years ago, the NCAA changed its rules to allow student-athletes to monetize their personal brand via “NIL” (Name, Image and Likeness) deals. Top college stars now make millions from brand endorsements and merchandise sales. If Brady Quinn the Younger follows Brady Quinn the Elder to Notre Dame, he will attract immediate and lucrative national attention.

What rights do each of the Quinns have to their shared name? Consider that 18 years ago the elder Quinn registered the trademark BRADY QUINN for the business purpose of product endorsements. He has since let the trademark lapse, but if he hadn’t, his young namesake might be limited in the commercial use of his own name.

This possibility resonates in an age when personal brands have moved beyond the traditional realms of celebrity. Over half of Gen Zers say they would like to be professional social media influencers. A career built entirely on personal branding and endorsements feels achievable to millions.

Given that outlook, ambitious parents may look at the case of the Quinns and conclude that their children’s names should be unique. Yet outside of the world of entertainment, a popular name is often an advantage. For instance, employers look more favorably on job candidates with common, familiar names. What’s more, teenage Brady Quinn is now famous precisely because his name is shared.

The real lesson here may not be about sharing a common name with other humans. Rather, I’d take it as a cautionary tale about the growing overlap of names and brands. What if a young athlete were named, say, Adidas? (Yes, there are boys named Adidas.) Could he sell licensed jerseys with his own name on them? The Bradys will work this out, but kids with a corporate-trademarked name may find bigger battles ahead.