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Help[Opinions] Re: Middle names
in reply to a message by .
The name Elizabeth Alida has been used for the first born daughter in my family (mum’s side) for centuries. My grandparents stopped this tradition, as did most of their generation, but did name my aunt Elizabeth and another A middle name.
As said above, after WWII naming traditions changed. Beforehand people where, what we call, name sick. If the first born was a daughter she was named for her mother’s side (e.g. Adriana Joan for her grandfather Adrian John). The second child, no matter the gender, was named then after the father’s side of the family (so either Geraldine Thomasina or Thomas Gerald after grandfather Thomas Gerald). It was common to give the “whole name” (first and middle) of the person they are named after.
I know several stories where a child was not given a present because they were not named after a certain side of the family (let’s say father’s side). Their sibling, that was named for the right side (mother’s side) did receive presents. It’s why we call it name sickness. It might be mainly common in Catholic families.
The people who’s middle names I know are named after family members, but nowadays it’s because a person is well liked. Not because tradition dictates it. Although in certain strongly religious families it’s still very much alive.
Edit to say that my parents almost named me Elizabeth Alida too, but decided against it as they felt that they should name a second daughter after the other grandmother and they didn’t like her name. Although I love my name, I would have loved carrying on the tradition and having been named Elizabeth.
formerly Belphoebe
⭐️
I am in the mood
to dissolve
in the sky.
- Virginia Woolf
As said above, after WWII naming traditions changed. Beforehand people where, what we call, name sick. If the first born was a daughter she was named for her mother’s side (e.g. Adriana Joan for her grandfather Adrian John). The second child, no matter the gender, was named then after the father’s side of the family (so either Geraldine Thomasina or Thomas Gerald after grandfather Thomas Gerald). It was common to give the “whole name” (first and middle) of the person they are named after.
I know several stories where a child was not given a present because they were not named after a certain side of the family (let’s say father’s side). Their sibling, that was named for the right side (mother’s side) did receive presents. It’s why we call it name sickness. It might be mainly common in Catholic families.
The people who’s middle names I know are named after family members, but nowadays it’s because a person is well liked. Not because tradition dictates it. Although in certain strongly religious families it’s still very much alive.
Edit to say that my parents almost named me Elizabeth Alida too, but decided against it as they felt that they should name a second daughter after the other grandmother and they didn’t like her name. Although I love my name, I would have loved carrying on the tradition and having been named Elizabeth.
⭐️
I am in the mood
to dissolve
in the sky.
- Virginia Woolf
This message was edited 5/10/2024, 6:41 AM
