Behind the Name
the etymology and history of first names
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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about names:

There is a separate FAQ for questions specifically about this website.

When is it appropriate to use 'Junior' versus 'II'?

Junior is used to distinguish a son with the same name as his father. The following conditions apply:

  1. The Junior must be a son of the father, not a grandson.
  2. The names must be exactly the same, including the middle name.
  3. The father must still be living.

'II' is used whenever any close relative, including for example a grandfather or a great-uncle, shares the same name as the child.

How is this name pronounced?

If the pronunciation is not given on this website, here are some web guides you can use if you know what language the name is from:

How did that strange pet form arise?

Several of the most common English first names have pet forms that seemingly bear little relation to the original. In many cases the reason for the change is not known for certain, but there are of course many theories.

Please see this site's glossary entry for "diminutive" for further information.

How can I translate my name into another language?

Go to the translation page, enter the name you want to translate, select the language you want to translate into, and then press "Search".

Here are some other sites that offer translations or transliterations.

What does my surname mean?

This site is limited to first names, except surnames that are also used as first names. Try the related website Behind the Surname, or go to the links page for a list of pages that deal with surnames.

What is the deep meaning of my name?

If you are interested in the numerology behind your name I suggest visiting the Kabalarian's website.

Where can I download baby name software?

Here are some websites that offer downloads of baby name software. I have not tried any of them.

How do I legally change my name?

Here are some websites that offer advice on changing your name.

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