Oppenheimer and Barbie have seen film fans flocking back to cinemas worldwide. Photo: Screenshot
A woman in the United States is struggling to convince people that her name - Barbie Oppenheimer - is real.
That is Barbie, short for Barbara.
The retired university professor from Boston shares her name with two of of the year's biggest films - Barbie and Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer told Morning Report she saw both movies back in July - Oppenheimer once, and Barbie twice - but did not think any more of it.
"Then 'Barbenheimer' went globally crazy and I started to get a million phone calls and requests for interviews," she said.
"It's a little bit bizarre to have this mashup."
She had been met with disbelief when making restaurant reservations and medical appointments.
"They say, 'Is that really your name? You've got to be pulling my leg. We saw your reservation, but thought you'd made up your name and have been waiting for you to arrive,'
"I say, 'That's my name!'"
When pressed on which film she preferred, Oppenheimer refused to pick one over the other.
"I highly recommend each one. I love both of them.
"My husband's related to J Robert [Oppenheimer] and I had Barbie dolls as a kid.
"They're both fab movies and lots of fun, and they both have their place in history."
Despite the striking coincidence, she did not get free entry to the films.
"I should have - next time I go, I'll ask for that," she said.
