Strategy: Naming Patterns
By Dale E. Lee and AI
2026.01.21
Analyzing Naming Patterns
In the absence of direct records, one of the most underutilized yet revealing strategies in genealogical research is analyzing naming patterns. Families in many cultures have followed traditional naming conventions for generations, and these customs can offer critical clues about lineage, family structure, and even geographic origin. When traced correctly, naming patterns can help bridge gaps in documentation and confirm or suggest familial relationships.
The Power of Names in Genealogy
Names are more than identifiers; they often carry familial, religious, or cultural significance. Understanding how names were chosen can be particularly valuable when researching time periods or locations where official records are missing or incomplete. Patterns in naming can provide indirect evidence for kinship, especially when supported by circumstantial evidence like residence, occupation, or baptism sponsors.
Traditional Naming Conventions by Culture
Different cultures have employed structured naming traditions, and recognizing these can enhance the accuracy of your family tree:
Scottish and Irish Naming Patterns
In both Scottish and Irish traditions; especially among Catholics; naming conventions were quite formalized:
- First son named after the paternal grandfather
- Second son named after the maternal grandfather
- Third son named after the father
- Fourth son named after the father’s eldest brother
- First daughter named after the maternal grandmother
- Second daughter named after the paternal grandmother
- Third daughter named after the mother
- Fourth daughter named after the mother’s eldest sister
This predictable format allows researchers to estimate names of previous generations even when those individuals don’t appear in records.
Dutch and German Naming Customs
In Dutch families, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was common to name children after their grandparents and parents. Germans, too, had specific practices: a child might receive a religious “saint” name followed by a “rufname” (call name), which was the name they used daily and might not be the first given name in records. This can be especially confusing in church or civil records unless understood.
Scandinavian Patronymics
In Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, a patronymic naming system was used until the late 19th century. A child’s surname was derived from the father’s first name, with the suffix -son (son of) or -datter/-dotter (daughter of). For example, if Hans had a son named Ole, Ole’s full name would be Ole Hansson. This system, while initially confusing, can help determine a father’s name when other information is lacking.
Detecting Patterns in Practice
When using naming patterns, remember they were not always followed rigidly, especially with high infant mortality rates (where names might be reused), or in cases where local customs or religious influences altered traditions. Yet, when a pattern appears across multiple generations, it can suggest consistency and possible family connections.
To apply naming pattern analysis:
- Construct a chart of names across siblings in a family group. Compare with the names of parents and known grandparents.
- Identify recurring names across generations or branches of the family.
- Consider spelling variations; especially in older records or immigrant families adapting to new languages.
- Track middle names, which may reflect maiden names or honor a maternal relative.
Case Study Example
Consider a genealogist trying to identify the parents of a man named Thomas O’Connell, born around 1810 in County Cork, Ireland. No baptism record survives. However, Thomas names his first three sons Michael, Jeremiah, and Thomas, and his first three daughters Mary, Ellen, and Catherine.
Looking at known Irish naming traditions, one might hypothesize:
- Michael could be the paternal grandfather
- Jeremiah the maternal grandfather
- Thomas the father (a self-naming)
- Mary the maternal grandmother
- Ellen the paternal grandmother
- Catherine the mother (a self-naming)
Using these clues, the researcher could look for O’Connell families in earlier records with a Michael O’Connell and wife Ellen as possible parents for Thomas. Cross-referencing baptismal sponsors, land leases, or tithe records could then further support or disprove the hypothesis.
Pitfalls and Cautions
While useful, naming pattern analysis is not infallible. Always use it in conjunction with other genealogical evidence. Names may also reflect other influences; biblical, royal, literary, or popular cultural trends. Immigrant families might abandon traditional patterns to assimilate or adopt names of admired figures in their new country.
In addition, be wary of over-generalizing. Just because a child was named John does not guarantee that the grandfather was also John. The pattern should be recurrent and supported by other data.
Additional Sources
Books and Print Sources
- The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, edited by Loretto Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking
- Includes discussions of cultural naming conventions and their role in genealogical research.
- First Names of the Irish by Ó Corráin & Maguire
- Offers historical context and patterns in Irish naming customs, especially during medieval and early modern periods.
- The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames by Basil Cottle
- Though focused on surnames, it includes valuable insights into name origins, variations, and patterns across Europe.
- German-American Names by George F. Jones
- Explores German naming conventions and how names were adapted or altered upon immigration.
- Scottish Forenames: A Guide for Family Historians and Researchers by Donald Whyte
- Specific look at Scottish naming practices, particularly useful for understanding traditional patterns in the 17th–19th centuries.
Online Articles and Databases
- FamilySearch Wiki – Naming Customs by Country
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Main_Page- Search for “naming customs” + country name (e.g., “Irish naming customs”) to find detailed articles on patterns by region.
- Cyndi’s List – Names & Naming Patterns
https://www.cyndislist.com/names/- A categorized index of websites and articles related to given names, surname origins, and cultural naming traditions.
- USGenWeb Archives Project – Ethnic Naming Traditions
http://usgenwebarchives.net/- Varies by state or county, but often includes regional histories or user-contributed studies discussing naming patterns.
- Ancestry.com Learning Center
https://www.ancestry.com/cs/learning- Offers how-to guides and blog posts related to using naming conventions in genealogy, often with cultural emphasis.
Institutional and Ethnic Resources
- American Name Society (ANS)
https://www.americannamesociety.org/- A scholarly organization focused on the study of names; occasionally publishes work related to historical naming customs.
- Library of Congress – Local and Ethnic History Collections
https://www.loc.gov/- Look for collections on specific ethnic groups or communities; many contain documents that reflect historical naming trends.
- The National Archives (UK) – Research Guide: Personal Names
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/- Covers naming traditions and usage in English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh records.
- Scandinavian Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library
https://www.nagcnl.org/- Offers resources and support for understanding Scandinavian patronymic naming and emigration naming changes.
Community & Collaborative Resources
- Genealogy Subreddits or Forums
- Reddit’s r/Genealogy and RootsChat often feature discussions about naming conventions in particular cultures or time periods.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/
https://www.rootschat.com/
- Reddit’s r/Genealogy and RootsChat often feature discussions about naming conventions in particular cultures or time periods.
- Facebook Genealogy Groups
- Many ethnic-specific or surname-specific genealogy groups share naming pattern discussions and insights.
Academic and Journal Articles
- JSTOR and Google Scholar can yield results for more formal studies. Try search terms like:
- “naming conventions in 18th century Ireland”
- “patronymic surname systems Scandinavia”
- “genealogy naming traditions cultural analysis”
These sources can help you better understand, apply, and interpret naming patterns in genealogical research, especially when working with ancestors from different countries or ethnic backgrounds.
Conclusion
Analyzing naming patterns is an insightful and often overlooked strategy in genealogy, especially when navigating the “silent generations” whose records have not survived. By pairing traditional naming customs with methodical documentation and critical thinking, genealogists can unlock ancestral relationships that may not be visible on paper. In a field where small clues often lead to big breakthroughs, the study of names is a powerful tool in telling your family’s story.
—
www.seekerz.net
Seekerz LLC, © 2025
