As far as nicknames go, we’ve always thought Nouriel Roubini’s “Dr. Doom”  nickname sounded pretty darn cool, even if he has to sometimes share it with Marc Faber. As his Facebook friend, I can tell you I have seen substantial evidence the name has never stopped him from getting into the best parties in far-away lands, and does not dissuade the ladies, not one bit. Despite all that – he’s totally over it:

The nickname came from the headline of an August 2008 “New York Times” article. It was basically a portrait piece of the man who had predicted the current economic crisis.

But while it was “cute” at the time, it’s becoming wearisome and doesn’t accurately reflect his opinions, he told me.

And he’s armed with an alternative: Dr. Realism.

It may be a good assessment of how he thinks his work and opinions should be recognized, but it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. And I’m doubting that Marvel would want to showcase that superhero.

On second thought, it would be kind of interesting. Think of economics comic doom, featuring Dr. Realism and his sidekick The Pragmatic Kid. They face off against a litany of villains, including Captain Sensible, The Amazingly Practical Women and Honest Assessment Avenger. Tune in next week, friends, for the exciting conclusion when they all reach a reasonable consensus.

“Dr. Realism?” Really?

Not a fan. Realism? There is nothing sexy or dangerous about realism like there is about doom. “Dr. Realism” sounds like a great name for a proctologist, or worse, one of those annoying life-coach types who writes crappy advice books about finding your inner power animal and/or getting your debt under control. It scarcely makes me think of economics and if it does it makes me think of the banality Ben Stein channeled in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

He posted this article to Facebook and the comments offer no better suggestions. Dear readers, if you can think of a better nom de doom, post it here and I’ll pass it on. (No photoshop right now, reusing a pic from Feb 2009, sorry guys…)