Why did they never give the E.M.H. a name?

[PatB1974]

I mean he specifically requested to be given one. It didn't take Geordie a minute to name Hugh. They even picked a name, "One" for the borg in "Drone". Now I am stuck trying to think what I would have named him.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Before and After.

If he picks a name, Janeway dies, B'Elanna dies, and Kes dies.

 

[somebuddyX]

They did. They revealed it here. His name's Dockzymmermann.

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[NCC-73515]

Checkahteh, Twak, Tahres... Stah Trek... - ... - ...Voyacha! XD

 

[Captain pl1ngpl0ng]

dr. Van holo Helsing
dr. Victor Frankengram
dr. Holobal Lecter
dr. Who Loogram

....?

 

[at Quark's]

I mean he specifically requested to be given one. It didn't take Geordie a minute to name Hugh. They even picked a name, "One" for the borg in "Drone". Now I am stuck trying to think what I would have named him.

In what episode does he ask them to give him a name? Not saying it isn't true, but I don't remember it. I do remember him searching for a name himself and asking for suggestions , though (but never actually deciding on one, at least not in the main timeline).

 

[Finn]

Dr. Zimmerman. It’s what the subtitles say in certain episodes.

 

[Michael]

In what episode does he ask them to give him a name? Not saying it isn't true, but I don't remember it. I do remember him searching for a name himself and asking for suggestions , though (but never actually deciding on one, at least not in the main timeline).

It's the very last line in the season one classic “Eye of the Needle”:

EMH (to Kes): There's one more request. Something of a, a personal nature. I would like a name.

I guess they initially planned on eventually giving him a name, but then it kinda stuck that they would just call him the doctor. It just became part of the character. What's interesting is that the promo video above implies there was a period in the beginning where they seriously considered naming him “Doc Zimmerman”.

 

[at Quark's]

It's the very last line in the season one classic “Eye of the Needle”:
EMH (to Kes): There's one more request. Something of a, a personal nature. I would like a name.
.

Thank you. I must say, I always took that as a request to be allowed a name, not necessarily as a request to be named by them.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Because there was this character called "The Professor." (Yes, I know that the Professor had a name, but how often was it used, and how many people remember it without looking it up?)

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

He had several names.
Shmollus and Joe...

 

[somebuddyX]

Eyim H. Progman.

 

[Michael]

Thank you. I must say, I always took that as a request to be allowed a name, not necessarily as a request to be named by them.

That's certainly a valid way to interpret the dialog, sure. Never looked at it that way.

Because there was this character called "The Professor." (Yes, I know that the Professor had a name, but how often was it used, and how many people remember it without looking it up?)

You mean Arturo from Sliders? (Remembered his surname, had to look up his given name. ) I never made that connection. Both shows debuted in 1995, so I'm not sure how much of an influence one show had on the other.

 

[at Quark's]

That's certainly a valid way to interpret the dialog, sure. Never looked at it that way.

And my reaction to your way of interpreting it could have been the same. verbatim

It's interesting how I can have such preconceptions even about such a simple line of dialog, and never realise it, until meeting someone who reads it differently.

 

[Pondwater]

I thought it was Joe.

 

[Galaxy Child]

I quite like that they didn't. I think never giving him a name gives the Doc a certain, enigmatic, 'Keyser Söze' allure.

 

[valkyrie013]

Bob.. His name is Bob..

 

[Makarov]

He took one in Heroes and Demons but it didn't stick he didnt want to remind himself about that mission

 

[CorporalCaptain]

You mean Arturo from Sliders? (Remembered his surname, had to look up his given name. ) I never made that connection. Both shows debuted in 1995, so I'm not sure how much of an influence one show had on the other.

Actually, Gilligan's Island.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Professor_(Gilligan's_Island)

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Because there was this character called "The Professor." (Yes, I know that the Professor had a name, but how often was it used, and how many people remember it without looking it up?)

I remembered it.

And Columbo's first name! (Frank)