German Naming Patterns

German Naming Patterns


According to a Mennonite Historical Society book (genealogy), it's common for German immigrants in the US to have used, however loosely, a particular pattern for naming their children:

Sons:

Daughters:

  • 1st son--named for the paternal grandfather
  • 2nd son--named for the maternal grandfather
  • 3rd son--named for the father
  • 4th son--named for the father's eldest brother
  • 1st daughter--named for the maternal grandmother
  • 2nd daughter--named for the paternal grandmother
  • 3rd daughter--named for the mother
  • 4th daughter--named for the mother's eldest sister
Almost funny that it was a tradition--sure would make for a lot of cousins with the same name!