Name-dropping (or name-checking) is the practice of naming or alluding to important people and institutions within a conversation, story, song, online identity, or other communication.

What does being a name dropper mean?

a person who seeks to impress others by frequently mentioning famous or important persons in a familiar way.

What do you call people who name-drop?

Some people who name-drop are narcissistic, says Campbell, as they're more inclined to believe they are ”unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions),” as per the DSM-IV definition of narcissistic personality disorder.