What's in a Name?

The Methods Some Use to Name Their Babies

By Charlene Torkelson

When my first son was born, my husband insisted he be named Beau. It was a name his older brother, Tom, had long talked about naming his own son. Unfortunately for Tom, we had a son nine months before he did, so we got the name. There was no discussion when it came to naming our second son. With the first named Beau, the second had to be Luke (you know, Beau and Luke Duke from Dukes of Hazard?). Not many catch on to the connection, but with last year's updated movie of the popular old TV show, our daughter is now asked by friends, "Why weren't you named Daisy?"

There are many methods and reasons soon-to-be parents use to name a child. Some parents just tack on a Junior or even III or IV to their own names. It's a way of carrying on the family name that began in Germany during the 17th and 18th centuries when men in the family with the same name were referred to as "older" or "younger" nowknown as"Senior" and "Junior." Boxer George Forman has five sons all named George. It must be quite confusing when someone phones asking for George.

In addition to naming children after themselves, parents also select other family members grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins or a favorite relative who has passed away as a means of carrying on family heritage. Jewish and Italian traditions include specific name suggestions. The first son is to be named after the paternal grandfather, the second after the maternal grandfather, the first daughter after the paternal grandmother, etc. Of course, tradition also suggests any deceased relative takes first priority over living relatives.

On the other hand, Japanese do not typically name children after themselves or other relatives. They also do not have middle names.

Want to see more?

• The Name Game: How to Pick a Name That You and Your Baby Will Like
• "You're Naming Her What?": 9 Rules for Discussing Names
• Talk about it!