Why Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton’s middle name is ‘Everest’

British-Canadian professor Geoffrey Hinton, on Tuesday, October 8, was named one of the two recipients of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside John Hopfield, for their groundbreaking contributions to machine learning. Hinton, often referred to as the ‘Godfather of AI’ within the industry, is 76 years old. Here’s what you should know about his remarkable career.
Geoffrey Hinton, renowned for his pioneering contributions to artificial intelligence, particularly in the development of neural networks, is also connected to a significant piece of history through his middle name, Everest.
His middle name traces back to his great-great-granduncle, Sir George Everest, the British surveyor-general of India in the 19th century, after whom the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, was named.
This name reflects more than just a family tradition—it symbolises a legacy of remarkable achievement in different fields. While Sir George Everest was known for his groundbreaking work in geography and mapping, Hinton made his mark in the world of AI, continuing a family history of innovation and reaching new heights in his way.
Geoffrey Everest Hinton was born in London, England, in 1947. He completed his early education in Bristol before attending King’s College at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in experimental psychology.
He later pursued his studies at the University of Edinburgh, earning a PhD in artificial intelligence in 1978. His thesis, titled ‘Relaxation and Its Role in Vision,’ focused on machine vision and learning.
Hinton’s great-great-granduncle, Sir George Everest, served as the British surveyor-general of India in the early 19th century.
He was instrumental in mapping large portions of the Indian subcontinent, and his work in geographic measurement and surveying played a pivotal role in advancing the field.
In 1865, Mount Everest—the world’s tallest peak—was named in his honour, a tribute to his contributions to geography. This act cemented the Everest name in history, symbolising both exploration and achievement.

Sir George Everest (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Having the middle name Everest carries with it a connection to a major historical figure and the symbolic association with the highest point on Earth. The name is more than just a family heirloom; it represents the pressure of living up to a legacy of pioneering accomplishments.
Geoffrey Hinton, in his field, has done just that.
While Sir George Everest charted the physical world, Hinton explored the world of artificial intelligence, helping to create the neural networks that are now central to modern AI systems.
Hinton’s work has been transformative. He is best known for his development of neural networks, a type of machine learning that mimics the human brain’s ability to learn and recognise patterns. This technology underpins many of today’s AI systems, from speech recognition to self-driving cars. In recognition of his achievements, Hinton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Though his field is far removed from geography, Hinton’s influence is no less groundbreaking. He has opened new frontiers in technology, much like his great-great-granduncle did in surveying the Earth.
The Everest name signifies more than just a link to a famous mountain; it symbolises a family tradition of pushing the limits of human knowledge. Sir George Everest’s work helped map the world, while Geoffrey Hinton has helped map the future of AI. Both have left legacies that extend far beyond their respective fields.
In many ways, Geoffrey Hinton has carried on the spirit of exploration and innovation associated with the name Everest. While his contributions are to technology rather than geography, the impact of his work is no less far-reaching.
Written By: Kaya Khandelwal