Why would someone pass their name onto their children?

Question

I think this is mainly a guy thing, I personally don't understand why as it's normally the guy's surname that gets passed down anyway.

Answer 1

Because they have no originality and can't come up with a name so they just use their own. Or they have family pressure to do it.  

Answer 2

I wouldn't mind naming on of my boys after his father (when I have one).  I think it would be an honor.  I'm sure I'll end up doing this too, if my guy doesn't mind.  

I wouldn't mind naming a daughter after me either (though I'd give her a different middle name).  I'm considering Sarah Helen and calling her "Sarah Helen" or "Sadie" (but it's still being really considered).  The most important thing about naming a daughter Sarah is simply that I really like my name, and I'd like to see it on a little girl.

As for why the dad's surname gets used... it's just tradition.  Technically I guess it should be the woman since she carries it, but I would feel, idk, kinda bad for keeping the dad's surnames from the kid.

Answer 3

The answer lies in a time very distant to our own when people had to work the land to eat and live.  Because men are physically stronger land was passed down to sons (this is not a universal fact in all cultures). , but very few have used female heritage to track lineage and land rights).  As a result, surnames for men helped mark lineage and land rights, as well as family rights within these small agricultural based societies.  Also, passing on the same name helps mark genetic heritage which is important since we are family based social animals who seek to maintain our genetic heritage.  

Answer 4

It's worse than that!

What sort of a t**t (Nigel) would name his daughter Nigella??

Answer 5

I know this is a bit different but i know a lady who had a daughter called Harriet and then 4 years later named her son Harry!!! Mad.

My uncle is called Brian and so is my cousin... his son! Seems confusing to me, they always got called big Brian and little Brian!

Answer 6

to immortalize themselves.

Answer 7

My friend's kids have their mothers surname and not their fathers

as for christian names, well some of my nieces and nephews have parts of their names the same as older family member, like i have a nephew whos middle name is the same as my dads middle name was etc

Answer 8

When my children are born they will have my surname, which evidently is also my husband's surname.

If I wasn't married my children would have my surname.  Without a doubt.

Answer 9

Because a man's name can go on forever. When I get married my name will CHANGE. Yours won't. Duh....

Answer 10

I think it is mostly a mans thing. Most of the guys I've asked what they would want to name their son, they've said their own name. I can only say it may be these things: 1) They are uncreative. 2) They are pretending to be uncreative because they don't want people to know they've thought about a name. :D. 3) Maybe both parents couldn't come up with a better name. 4) Just want to pass down the name.

Funny thing is, my boyfriend always says if we had a son he'd name it after him, and there's me thinking 'over my dead body!' Middle name, sure, but not as a first name.

Answer 11

arrogance.  

it may once have been a tradition but as you say a child usually gets the fathers sirname at the very least, sometimes both parents sirnames, so why give them your first name as well, give them their own identity please!

Answer 12

Tends to be traditional, myself I think they have no imagination!

Answer 13

That's a very good question.  You would think that since the woman carries the child and gives birth to the child it would get her surname.  

Answer 14

no  i think maybe use one name but not a jr or even worse a third....

i cringe

Answer 15

Surname is one thing it's another when they give the kid their christian name as well so the poor muppets end up as Norman Gerbil III. Just ain't right.

Answer 16

My husband doesn't like the idea of having a "junior"  - He did name one of our son's after his grandfather though.

I don't know.

Answer 17

I think it is kinda of a nice way not to be forgotten and show family unity !

Answer 18

No it's not.Not anymore..my children have my name and then their fathers...SUCH an outdated concept...WHY should the guy have HIS name passed down. Mine is just as important.

Answer 19

It's the couple that decide which name to pass down,

it is mainly the male name passed down, this may be because the man is more powerful and more masculine i can't find the word like in a group of monkeys there is a ________ monkey that is like the leader of the group, or maybe because the male name can go on forever like in a marriage the couple both get the male surname therefore it will go on forever, hope this helps.

Answer 20

Wel, it's better than the poor child getting some so-called trendy name like Taylor or Denver or Makayla or L'Mbosie.

Although maybe American names have been ba-a-a-d for generations.

Answer 21

I guess to some people it's traditional.

I think it's the same in many cultures

Answer 22

they want to carry on the tradition or character traits. they want something that someone can remember them by.

Answer 23

In our case we are naming our son Phillip which is a family name. It is more to honor my husband's father than anything. His father was a great man and the biggest influence in my husband's life.  

Answer 24

It's crazy.  People call it tradition when at times it is a crime.  Poor child has to go through life because Uncle Herbert passed away and was the last Herbert in the family, therefore the child had to be called Herbert else the tradition would have died out.............. P.L.E.A.S.E people, think what you are putting these poor children through!  

I HATE it as well when the parents call the child the name of the place the child was conceived.... VILE - like we all need to know!

:)

Answer 25

Beacue generally, the woman takes the guy's surname when they get married.

Answer 26

Certainly helps both sides of the family to be tracked properly by having the names of both with the children.-D

Answer 27

I don't understand it either. I think it must be an egotistical thing. People who want to mould their children into their own image and live vicariously, and such.

Though, I suppose this is kind of the pot calling the kettle black, as I'd like to name a son a form of my fiancé's name (it's said and written totally different, but does come from the same root name), even though that's not the reason behind it.