University of Ibadan 400 Level Student Goes Viral over His Unique Full Name, People Wonder Why
- A 400-level student of the University of Ibadan (UI) has become a viral sensation because of his full name
- His full name became public knowledge after he celebrated bagging two awards at his department's event
- In an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, the 22-year-old spoke about his full name that has made him a viral sensation
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A pharmacy student of the University of Ibadan has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) owing to his full name, which people consider unusual and unique.
The 400-level student, who is also a mixologist, won two awards at his department's event and celebrated the feat on X by displaying them.
Source: Twitter
The student clinched the Socialite of the Year and Best Dressed (male, 400 level) awards. He wrote on X:
"What a nightt🖤💯."
University of Ibadan student's unique full name
The awards had his full name, Will John Flourish, in bold.
Source: Twitter
His tweet blew up on the social media platform, garnering 856k views, over 500 likes and more than a hundred comments.
People were surprised someone bears such a name. Some thought he should rearrange his full name to make it a positive affirmation.
There were netizens who joked about his full name needing a question mark to complete it.
The young man seemed okay with the name, judging by his reactions to netizens' comments.
University of Ibadan's Will John Flourish speaks
Legit.ng asked John if there is a back story to his full name and he replied:
"There's actually no backstory.
"It's more or less a very honest coincidence.
"My dad changed his surname to Will.
"But if there was one (backstory), I'd say they wanted a name that would garner attention for their son, only that it took 22 years, jokes on them."
Read his tweet below:
University of Ibadan student's name stirs reactions
@bih_emmaculate said:
"Congratulations. I'm on the floor though 😂😂😂😭 cause tell me why I read the name as a question?"
@Lekandesigns said:
"If I bear this name, I would have changed it to a statement since like Junior High School."
@agezzzie said:
“Well viewers, Will John really flourish? Tune in next week, to find out. I am your host: otunutuetue. Good night and God bless. This hosting thing go fit me well well sha."
@IsinugbenM said:
"I’d rearrange the order of my name to John Will Flourish if I were you 😂 very nice name tho."
@Nellye190 said:
"What a name, happy you have flourish in university more to come. Will."
@no1pacesetter said:
"You missed the every opportunity to change your name from a “question” to being a “statement.”
@ify_szn said:
"Let me answer the question, Yes, John will Florish if John is consistent and putting his best. Don’t mention."
@seleenino said:
"John Will Flourish would have been an affirmation, name and statement at a go but the printer had other plans 😂 Congratulations 🎉."
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a graduate of Covenant University had gone viral because of her unique name.
Anthropologist explores societal fascination with unusual names
A UK-based anthropologist, Pamela Knudsen, has shared insights on the social reaction to the University of Ibadan student, Will John Flourish, whose name recently went viral on X.
Speaking in a chat with Legit.ng, Knudsen noted the deep cultural and personal significance of names beyond their novelty.
“Of course, we have a fascination with unusual names just as we do with unusual people — both which break with social norms.” she remarked.
She noted, while drawing on the works of anthropologists like Claude Levi-Strauss and Barbara Bodenhorn, that naming is more than an act of identification but a core part of personhood and identity.
Knudsen spoke of African naming traditions, where names carry deep meanings about birth circumstances and social integration. Using the example of the student she invites speculation about the intent behind his name—whether it was shaped by his parents’ struggles or hopes for his future.
“There is so much more to a personal name and the act of naming, itself, which are fundamental to our understanding of personhood, kinship, and gender. They both express and indeed form core elements of one’s identity. They make meaning in a social world," she said.
Citing cultural and social anthropologists, she noted that names hold power and responsibility, reflecting not just the individual but also the namer.
The anthropologist referenced The Anthropology of Names and Naming by Barbara Bodenhorn and Gabrielle Vom Bruck for her insights.
Female graduate's name generates buzz
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a female graduate had caught people's attention because of her unusual name.
She celebrated graduating from accounting department in Covenant University and posted a picture which bore her full name.
Her unusual name also caught the attention of content creator Justin UG who shared her post with a rather cryptic comment.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from an anthropologist for this report.
Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng
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Source: Legit.ng
