Naming Patterns

Our ancestors often used the following naming pattern when selecting a name for a new child. This explains why certain names are very common in a family line. Watching for these patterns can help in your genealogy research.

Naming pattern:

1^st son = father’s father

2^nd son = mother’s father

3^rd son = father

4^th son = father’s oldest brother

5^th son = father’s second oldest brother or mother’s eldest brother

1^st daughter = mother’s mother

2^nd daughter = father’s mother

3^rd daughter = mother

4^th daughter = mother’s oldest sister

5^th daughter = mother’s second oldest sister or father’s oldest sister

It is also common to use:
the mother’s maiden name as a second name;
the surname of close friends as a second name;
give another child exactly the same name as a previous child who had died;
give a child the name of one of the parent's grandparent;
give a child the name of a relative or friend who had recently died; or

give a child the name of an important person in the area.

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