Tobias and Anja chose names for their children hoping that these would influence their future careers. George was named "George Bernard" after George Bernard Shaw since his parents hoped their first child would become a writer. Similarly George's younger brother was named Henry after Henri Poincaré, and he did indeed become a mathematician.
Tobias at Anja pinili ang mga pangalan para sa kanilang mga anak hoping na ang mga ito ay impluwensya ng kanilang mga hinaharap na karera. George ay pinangalanang "George Bernard" pagkatapos George Bernard Shaw dahil sa kanyang mga magulang ang kanilang mga inaasam unang bata ay maging isang writer. Gayundin George's batang kapatid na lalaki ay pinangalanang Henry pagkatapos Henri Poincaré, at sa katunayan siya ay maging isang dalub-agbilang.