Genealogy Chat

I was just looking at my paperwork again, and wondered if Adam would be a German name , as I dont understand why my Grandad named none of his 15 children after him or his grandfather who supposedly was also called Adam they all have normal names like Arthur Harold Rose etc and as it was supposed to be customary to name them after your rellies why didnt they?

Adam is used in German too, most biblical names are international, although some of them may translate differently into different languages (eg James is Jakob in German)but Adam remains as Adam in German.

thanks Ann I wonder why his Son did not name any of his children after him

Maybe he just did not like it!!!!

you are probably right it is quite a modern name for those days isnt it ??????? a bit like Romeo is now

Adam - a modern name? I can't think of an older one!

There are fashions in names and fashions in naming patterns. By the Victorian period, people are much more interested in modern, rather than traditional names. Florence and Violet were men's names pre Victoria, but they weren't perpetuated in their families. Think, too, of programmes like "Cash in the Attic" where heirlooms in the family for years are blithely sold to pay for a new kitchen. Some people think tradition is important, and others think there is no sense in retaining something they don't like. Brenda

Geoff I know its an old name but it sounds quite modern compared to Charles Harold which seem so old fashioned

which only goes to show about fashion. Adam was very popular in the middle ages (which is why Adamson and Atkinson are common surnames) but then declined. To Victorians it probably seemed old-fashioned. Meanwhile Charles was on the up and Harold was the latest new thing, having been almost disused since the Conquest. Looks like your grandad was just a follower of fashion

I have an Adam Abbs born in the 1790's in Norfolk.