I think what you are doing is the same as data mining error. I am not sure if the term is right but it is something like that. You already have a conclusion in mind and then you are selectively picking information (you call it signs) from the environment to support that conclusion. You may not be intentionally doing it but sometimes our mind plays tricks on us.

I think signs are real, but there are signs and then there are signs.. eg. women wanting a baby start noticing pregnant women/ babies in strollers everywhere.. although in my life there have been events where I thought I was shown 'signs' and it would have been foolish not to act on them.. usually after I had asked God for a sign..

You sound obsessed! But it could be fate who knows?

yeah, u were just infatuated with the brother.

I dont think they are real. I think your obsession about this guy was so strong that your subconcious mind is reflecting his name everywhere. You were so much into this guy that you can't even relate your imagination to practicality. Its kinda deja vu(The illusion of having already experienced something actually being experienced for the first time.) type of feeling. But Muslim name on American model magazine could be a co-incident. You woudn't care about this name, if you were not mesmerized by this guy.Perhaps you could say it's a "fatal infatuation"!! It happen to many , especially who are naive and very emotional people. :) I might be wrong about describing your state of mind.So please please dont take my explanations too seriously.I'm not Dr.Phil,remember I'm just an ordinary man. lol