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ArchivesRe: Meaning of Gesina?
in reply to a message by Anneza
Hi Anneza!
Yes, in Germany (and some other countries) the name which is used in everyday life doesn't need to be the first forename in a row.
When your name is
ANDREAS CHRISTIAN WILHELM MÜLLER
and you go by Christian, then
ANDREAS CHRISTIAN WILHELM is your "Vorname" (literally: forename)
CHRISTIAN is your "Rufname" (literally: *call name*)
and MÜLLER is your "Nachname" (literally: surname)
Parents can choose the Rufname as they like. It can be the first one, the second one, the third one etc.
Nowadays it's the first one very often, but some centuries ago it was very varying.
Most people I know whose name is Karl-Heinz are called Kalle, which is a common nick name for Karl in the northern part of Germany.
Satu
Yes, in Germany (and some other countries) the name which is used in everyday life doesn't need to be the first forename in a row.
When your name is
ANDREAS CHRISTIAN WILHELM MÜLLER
and you go by Christian, then
ANDREAS CHRISTIAN WILHELM is your "Vorname" (literally: forename)
CHRISTIAN is your "Rufname" (literally: *call name*)
and MÜLLER is your "Nachname" (literally: surname)
Parents can choose the Rufname as they like. It can be the first one, the second one, the third one etc.
Nowadays it's the first one very often, but some centuries ago it was very varying.
Most people I know whose name is Karl-Heinz are called Kalle, which is a common nick name for Karl in the northern part of Germany.
Satu
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