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

Is name dropping bad?

Here's the really bad news: “Name dropping is absolutely terrible for our credibility,” says Davey. ... One study (paywall) found that when someone name-drops to assert their closeness to a powerful person, they're perceived both as less competent and as manipulative.

What does dropping someone's name mean?

: to say the names of famous people one knows to try to impress others She's always dropping names.