Certain ethnic groups tend to follow certain naming patterns when choosing names for children. Keep in mind that these patterns are cultural norms. They are not set in statute. They are not part of an ecclesiastical edict. There can be exceptions, particularly when both grandfathers (or grandmothers) have the same first name or when there has been a significant argument with a certain relative.
Use the naming patterns as a suggestive clues not as an established certainty.
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One response
Oh, my family is REPLETE with such a naming pattern. I thought my Dad’s immediate family was troublesome, as I went back two generations. No. This was merely my training ground, I quickly discovered. Once I got back a few more generations, to my sixth great-grandfather’s family, this naming pattern became my worst nightmare! Just how many named John, Valentine, Abraham, Charles, Joseph can their be? All with the same surname, I might add. Oi! My fifth great-grandfather is one of a plethora of Valentines, two of the first cousins born in the same year! Is it any wonder I can’t pin mine down? I sometimes feel they are all looking down upon me, while I’m trying like crazy to sort it all out, and having a jolly good hoot over my situation. Face/palm. Thanks, guys. Love you, too.