Knowing nothing of the source of NPC names, but wondering about the strange mix of humourous and every day names for NPCs, A couple of days ago, I happened to Scan A Cobra Mk III in my usual scan cycle while cruising to a station, and was quite amused the Competent pilot of said ship happened to have the same name as my Boss.
I mentioned it to him today, and he was amused that he is an NPC in a Video Game, especially as He's the Global CIO of a Tech Company. I may have jibed a little bit that he is plainly described as 'Competent'
A Couple of hours later, he messaged me back. He'd checked his Kickstarter Rewards and remembered that his Name as an NPC was one of the rewards for the backing he gave the original Kickstarter campaign.
I mean, who can say they had to deal with their Actual Boss in a Video Game...