What's in a Name?

Sort of. A child born to the Luo tribe actually goes by several names. If you were born at night your name would be Atieno, but if you were born in the daytime, you would go by Ochiengs.

To differentiate, parents will also choose a Biblical name and the name of a deceased relative who appears in a dream during the mother's pregnancy.

You're partially right. A child born to the Luo tribe actually goes by several names. If you were born at night your name would be Atieno, but if you were born in the daytime, you would go by Ochiengs.

To differentiate, parents will also choose a Biblical name and the name of a deceased relative who appears in a dream during the mother's pregnancy.

Bingo! A child born to the Luo tribe actually goes by several names. If you were born at night your name would be Atieno, but if you were born in the daytime, you would go by Ochiengs.

To differentiate, parents will also choose a Biblical name and the name of a deceased relative who appears in a dream during the mother's pregnancy.

Not quite. Ever wonder why there are so many Smiths in the phone book? Many common last names, like Smith, Cooper, and Miller, were an easy way to tell what someone did for a living. In the old days, a Danny Cooper would have worked as a barrel-maker, while John Miller ran the local mill, and Peter Smith was the blacksmith.

You got it. Many common last names, like Smith, Cooper, and Miller, were an easy way to tell what someone did for a living. In the old days, a Danny Cooper would have worked as a barrel-maker, while John Miller ran the local mill, and Peter Smith was the blacksmith.

Nope. Ever wonder why there are so many Smiths in the phone book? Many common last names, like Smith, Cooper, and Miller, were an easy way to tell what someone did for a living. In the old days, a Danny Cooper would have worked as a barrel-maker, while John Miller ran the local mill, and Peter Smith was the blacksmith.

Sorry. Part of Jewish tradition is to name your child after a deceased relative. Different sects have different reasons for this practice. The Ashkenazi Jews choose a deceased relative's name because they fear the Angel of Death will accidentally take the child instead of the older relative. Sephardic communities feel that if you name your child after a living relative, it discounts that person. One exception is the Syrian Jews, who name the first baby after its paternal grandfather.

Correct! Part of Jewish tradition is to name your child after a deceased relative. Different sects have different reasons for this practice. The Ashkenazi Jews choose a deceased relative's name because they fear the Angel of Death will accidentally take the child instead of the older relative. Sephardic communities feel that if you name your child after a living relative, it discounts that person. One exception is the Syrian Jews, who name the first baby after its paternal grandfather.

Sorry. Part of Jewish tradition is to name your child after a deceased relative. Different sects have different reasons for this practice. The Ashkenazi Jews choose a deceased relative's name because they fear the Angel of Death will accidentally take the child instead of the older relative. Sephardic communities feel that if you name your child after a living relative, it discounts that person. One exception is the Syrian Jews, who name the first baby after its paternal grandfather.

No, the Vietnamese go by their given names, rather than their family names. Did you know that in Vietnamese society, mentioning a parent's given name is a great insult? Because of this "taboo," great care is taken to avoid naming babies after parents, ancestors, relatives, or close friends.

Source: "What's Your Name? A Study in Cultural Differences" from the Journal of Vietnamese Studies, Volume 1, Number 3, January 1990.

Right! The Vietnamese go by their given names, rather than their family names. Did you know that in Vietnamese society, mentioning a parent's given name is a great insult? Because of this "taboo," great care is taken to avoid naming babies after parents, ancestors, relatives, or close friends.

Source: "What's Your Name? A Study in Cultural Differences" from the Journal of Vietnamese Studies, Volume 1, Number 3, January 1990.

Nope. The Vietnamese go by their given names, rather than their family names. Did you know that in Vietnamese society, mentioning a parent's given name is a great insult? Because of this "taboo," great care is taken to avoid naming babies after parents, ancestors, relatives, or close friends.

Source: "What's Your Name? A Study in Cultural Differences" from the Journal of Vietnamese Studies, Volume 1, Number 3, January 1990.