Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

As a nation state, Italy has emerged only in 1871. Until then the country was politically divided into a large number of independant cities, provinces and islands. The currently available evidences point out to a dominant Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultural influence on today's Italians.
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iolanda2
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Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

Post by iolanda2 »

Prior to about 1875, the male naming convensions in my families in Le Marche following one pattern. For example, the 1st son is named after the paternal grandfather.

In 1878 this pattern changed and I see the names Primo for the 1st son and Secundo for the second son.

After about 1910, this new convension stops.

I would like to hear your thoughts about why families might have changed the male naming patterns during this period of time? My guess was high infant mortality.

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johnnyonthespot
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Re: Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

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Family fight? Deliberately not naming after a difficult father/father-in-law?
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iolanda2
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Re: Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

Post by iolanda2 »

Perhaps, the grandfather did die at a young age.
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Re: Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

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By the 1900's the establishment of the unification of Italy was complete and by 1911 Italy entered into a war with Turkey in which Italy gained Eritrea, Italian Somaliland and Tripoli. Northern Italy experienced social movements at a national and local level (Southern Italy was decimated and impoverished with millions immigrating). World War 1 commenced in 1915.

The Family History Library has some local histories for towns and areas in Italy as well as your local library. Perhaps the local history of Le Marche can also provide background information about family lifestyle and the towns political environment (socialism?) in which they lived. Perhaps e-mailing "Info@italiannames.com" has a suitable reference for you. =Peter=
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figlia
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Re: Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

Post by figlia »

I have found the naming tradition used in my family.
Sometimes the first born child died and the next died was given the first childs name. I have a relation that had the name' ______' he was named for his grandfather, unfortunately this child died, the next child was a son and was given the name '_______' again.
In my family this name is repeated over and over through generations. Then again they can abandon the tradition as my mother's family did and just gave them names they liked.
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Re: Male Naming Conventions 1870-1900

Post by PeterTimber »

www.anzwers.org/free/italiangen//italynames.html is a compendium of Italian names and the History of names which may sew things up for you. =Peter=
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