Dale Earnhardt Jr?

Question

I'm just curious about something, but when most father's name a son after them (Jr. or II) they usually name their 1st born son after them. Based on tradition. Dale Sr. first son was named Kerry Earnhardt. Why didn't he name Kerry... Dale Earnhardt, Jr.? It seems like that would make sense. But instead, he named his 2nd born son after him. Does anyone know why Dale Sr. chose to name his 2nd son after him instead of his 1st?

Answer 1

I'm the 2nd to last born male in my family, but the first born with my dad and mom, I'm a Jr.  

I think sometimes folks just dont go a traditional way, but I'm glad because I'm proud to have my daddy's name.

Answer 2

Kerry's full name is Kerry Dale Earnhardt.

So he is named after his Dad.

Kerry's grandfather's name was Ralph Lee Earnhardt, who was still living when Kerry was born.

Dale Jr. is not only named after Dale, but also carries his Grandfather's first name, Ralph.

Ralph Lee died in September 1973. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. was born about a year later.

Emotion oft times outweighs tradition.

That's three Dales and three Ralphs, Senior and his two sons are named Dale, One Ralph is not named Dale and Kerry is not named Ralph. But they are all named Earnhardt.

Answer 3

Who knows, maybe it was the mothers idea to call him Kerry.

I have two older sisters, the first one was given her first and middle names by dad's side of the family. The second one was give her first and middle names by mom's side of the family. I was given my first and middle names by my parents.I was named after my grandfathers.

Answer 4

When Kerry Was Born Dale Sr. And Kerry Mom Were Divorced. Dale Sr. Did Not Know That Kerry Was Born Until She Contacted Him. Which In-fact She Had Already Picked Out Hid Name.

Dale Jr. Mom And Dale Sr. Were Still Together When Dale Was Born, So That Is Why Dale Got His Name. The Got Divorced 6Months After Kelly Was Born.

I Hope I Cleared It Up For You.

Answer 5

Actually,I believe Dale Sr. and Kerry's mother were still together when he was born but divorced when he was only a few months old. Kerry's mom married again very soon after and Kerry was raised by his stepfather and went by his last name. Some sources say the stepfather actually adopted him but I can't confirm this. Kerry didn't go by Earnhardt until he was a teenager after he had reestablished a relationship with his dad. Some of this was covered in the movie 3.

Answer 6

Jr trys to act like his dad

Answer 7

Does it really mater?

Answer 8

Dale Sr. and Kerry's mom were not together when Kerry was born.  In fact Kerry didn't "know" dale as his father until he was 16.

Someone interviewed him several years ago asking him if he feels that he missed out on having Sr. as his father and Kerry said no...that he is very close to his dad now and was like he had him all of his life.

Dale was close to Kerry too.  It just wasn't made as public as it was with Jr.

Answer 9

kerry has a different mother

dale jr was the first born with his 2nd wife

Answer 10

Dale Jr's legal first name is "Ralph" after his grandfather.  I believe Dale is his middle name.  So he was named after his grandfather, not his father.  As far as your analysis and why questions, ask his mother.

Answer 11

because he forgot the first time, and after he had his second son, he thought he better hurry up and name one of his dudes after him, because he liked his own name and wanted to have fun with it.