Re:US boy names that became girl names and vice versa
by kibwen on Tuesday November 03, 2026 @09:49AM
(#50352694)
The idea of surnames is an anthropologically recent tradition. Humans living in small communities had no practical need for multiple names. Surnames mostly arise in societies with relatively strong centralized states so that the government has an easier time tracking its citizens.
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Re:US boy names that became girl names and vice versa
by Xirdus on Tuesday November 03, 2026 @10:25AM
(#50353183)
The idea of being named after your father (or your husband for that matter) is much older than surnames. Don't know exactly how old, because written history is only available for strong centralized states, but at least biblical times.
Re:US boy names that became girl names and vice versa
by kibwen on Tuesday November 03, 2026 @10:40AM
(#50353371)
Yes, but the context of this thread is about taking your father's surname specifically. Even "modern societies" where wives might have the option to not take their husband's surname aren't moving away from naming sons after their fathers, as far as their given name goes.