[Windflier]

...you know that when a man names one of his sons after himself, the kid gets the full name, first, middle and last and a “Jr.” is attached. He lives thereafter in his father’s shadow and strives to make his own identity.

I completely agree with that, and have seen it play out in real life.

When my baby sister's first boy was on the way, she set her mind on honoring her husband by making baby a Junior. This, despite the fact that she has two uncles and a nephew with the same first name. Today, my family has five Michaels.

Crazy, huh?

[OldPossum]

Hi Windflier, hope you’re doing well.

Yes, it is a little odd. I don’t understand why people—particularly mothers—do such things. It’s a recipe for confusion and other problems later on in life.

In my case, my father wanted to name me after himself and my mother objected strenuously. So, there was a compromise. I got two distinctly different names but they had the same initials as my dad. Thank goodness!