Familial Names  

Choosing a name for a child is not easy.  Parents consider many things before they choose the right name.  Some parents even search their family tree to find a unique name for baby. 

Every generation has its most popular names.  Names like Zachariah, Esther, Vivian, and Leroy sound outdated and even funny now.  But once, these names were hip and happening.  The further back you go on the family tree, you’ll see names similar to this.   

Family names carry a story in each generation.  When your child asks why you chose the name that you did for them, you will have something to tell them.  For kids, stories about immigrant family members are just as noteworthy as ones about gunslingers and outlaws.  You may even find a newfound respect for the “black sheep” of the family when retelling the story to your children. 

Instead of looking to spelling changes to make your child’s name unique, search further back on your family tree.  You are bound to find a name that screams that it is one of a kind.  You may even decide to use the first and middle name of an ancestor to become the name of your child. 

Names that still sound strange even in this day and age can be used as middle names.  While a name like Aloysius wouldn’t sit well as a first name, it could be the perfect middle name complement.  Since middle names aren’t used very often, your child won’t be embarrassed to death to claim it. 

Parents can compromise when it comes with familial names and choose their favorites from both sides of the family.  Write them on individual pieces of paper and play the “name game” one night.  Move all of the names around until you find ones that go together.  This narrows down your list of possible names for children and allows you to have fun while deciding on the perfect name. 

Names from the family tree are also passed on when a favorite loved one dies.  Some people choose to remember their grandfather, mother, aunt, or uncle by choosing their name for the child, either first or middle name.  These names also come with a story, so don’t forget to tell it to your child when they get older. 

Using the entire name of past relatives results in a number being placed after the name.  You may not want to name your son John V.  Anything after the fourth generation and people will think you are trying to produce the next pope.  To avoid this and still keep the sentimental value, reverse the first and middle names. 

Familial names bring a lot of respect and family history into the life of a child.  It is a way of passing down a legacy that your family can be proud of.  Just because a name is old does not mean that it has lost its meaning.