Is it sexist to name sons after their father?

Question

Or does it have more to do w/ tradition (ie-John Smith II, John Smith III) I rarely hear about women naming babies after themselves or their mothers? It is sexist?

Answer 1

no. why would it be?

Answer 2

Sexist? No, but I do think it's a bit weird. If I had a daughter I'd like to name her after my mother, not me. The way I see it is naming a child after someone is a way of honouring someone. Why would I want to honour myself? That's just egotistical and selfish. Not to mention it would be confusing.

Answer 3

I think its just tradition.

Answer 4

I think is because mother's last name is not an heritage as father's last name is. Al tough in my country is pretty common to name the girls like the mother.

Answer 5

it's just tradition.  sons are supposed to "carry on the family name" for the most part - like how men keep the last name in a marriage usually.

Answer 6

It's tradition.

And many girls get named like their mothers, sometimes when not is cuz the mother prefers another name.

But there are to many marriages to decide that P:

Answer 7

It's all good 'ole tradition. The majority of women change their last names after marriage. So Jane Smith III would no longer be the 3rd.

Answer 8

I don't think it's sexist.  It is just a type of tradition that is harmless. (And yes, some traditions are sexist out there)...But   I don't think too many women name their daughters after themselves.  Many women name their daughters after her grandmother or his grandmother.  No harm done either way.

Answer 9

I don't like that practice personally because it causes confusion. As a result, those sons often end up using their middle names or nicknames to avoid being confused with their fathers or even grandfathers. To be honest, I don't really like the practice of naming children after people. I have two daughters and they are not named after anyone. Not only that but apparently, my sister doesn't like it either. She has three sons and not one of them is a junior.

Answer 10

Would you rather that half the time the son is given the mother's name?

Answer 11

I had a friend years ago when her husband and she had their daughter they named her using the mother's first name as her middle name.  People do what they want regardless.

Answer 12

I think it's vain.

Answer 13

Yes its sexist and we need to press for legislation to stop it.

Answer 14

I don't see the point of naming any child after one of their parents.  As Ryde on says, why would I name a son after his mother anyway.

The whole "junior" thing is silly.

EDIT:

I have a friend in the US, his name is Bo, and has siblings Jip, Kip, Tam, and Buck.  As he says, it sounds like names for a litter of puppies!

Answer 15

Oh my God ! tell me you d**n feminists don't want to start naming your sons after their mothers !!

Answer 16

Tradition, and preference. I can't even think of any other name I want to name my son if I have one..............................

I know a couple who named one of their daughters after the mother too.

Answer 17

Women are, though. I did my dissertation on American composer Sidney Homer. His wife, Louise Homer, was a famous American opera singer. They named one of their daughters "Louise, jr." ! She was also a singer, and to distinguish them on programs, they were listed as "Madame Homer" and "Mademoiselle Homer"!

No, I don't think it's sexist. My dad is a "junior." I always thought it would have been cool to have been a "III", but he would have none of it!

Answer 18

No.  I know many people who keep "re-using" family names, for the sons and daughters.

Answer 19

I don't see how it's sexist.  Sometimes, it can be very cruel though.  No offense to my mom, but I'm very glad I wasn't the third person named Ruth.  It could be worse of course.  My aunt's name is Clairdean.

Answer 20

Actually, my mother's family had a tradition of naming the first girl in every generation "Agnes".  It was my mother's name and she hated it so much that she used her middle name and never admitted to being named "Agnes".

Her family never forgave her for NOT naming ME "Agnes".

I, however, would never have forgiven her if she HAD!