The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAMING OF CHILDREN

IN MOST GREEK FAMILIES, THE FIRST BORN CHILD IS NAMED
AFTER THE FATHER'S PARENTS, DEPENDING ON IF IT IS A
BOY OR A GIRL. CHILDREN BORN AFTER THE FIRST CHILD
WILL BE NAMED AFTER ITS REMAINING GRANDPARENTS. IF THE
PARENTS HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CHILDREN, THEN THEY WILL BE
NAMED AFTER UNCLES AND AUNTS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A TRADITION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN GREEK
FAMILIES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT HAS BEEN PASSED
ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND IT WILL
CONTINUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Date learned: CA00001962