The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAMES

IN SICILY, THE FIRSTBORN SON MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE PATERNAL
GRANDFATHER AND THE FIRSTBORN DAUGHTER MUST BE NAMED AFTER THE
PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
NOT TO COMPLY WITH THIS MEANT DISGRACE AND EVEN EXILE BY
THE FAMILY FOR THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD. IT IS CONSIDERED
AN INSULT TO
THE PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS NOT TO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT, MY FATHER, HAD TO NAME ME MARY AFTER HIS MOTHER AND MY
OLDER BROTHER BENEDICT AFTER HIS FATHER. I ALSO HAVE FIVE COUSINS
NAMED MARY AND EIGHT COUSINS NAMED BENEDICT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Date learned: 09-14-1972