[ladyjane]

Years ago many members of an extended family lived under one roof and it was common for two or more of them to have the same name.

The father would be Sr. and his son would be Jr. If the grandfather and grandson (but not the father) had the same name the grandson would not be Jr., he would be II. Similarly if a nephew had the same name as someone else living in the house he would be II rather than Jr.

Some uninformed people think II sounds classier than Jr. Obama is obviously one of them.

[hoosiermama]

Correct. It also depends on whether the person is alive or not...Royal linage used numerical numbers to designate reigns of royalty with similar names. Current queen Elizabeth is Elizabeth II. Terms such as “The lesser” were also used.

Even the Bible uses terms to help distinguish between one and another....In fact John's son became Johnson, de Vince meant from the town of Vince, Millers and Bakers were just that Millers and Bakers.