Lieb means lion in Yiddish. Bene (Czech origin) from the given name Benedikt, 60. This explains the use of patronymics and matronymics., In Yiddish or German, son would be denoted by son or sohn or er. In most Slavic languages, like Polish or Russian, it would be wich or witz.. Typically this name would be used for someone working for a king. Prussia rapidly became a German society, primarily consisting of Germans from Saxony, the Rhineland and other states. common prussian surnames. Abel. Dubanowski (Polish origin) a surname used to indicate a person belonging to the town of Dubinowo, 97. The webpage, the article likely provides guidance on how to research and discover information about one's German ancestry. 1. It is the root of many Ashkenazic last names, including Hirschfeld, Hirschbein/Hershkowitz (son of Hirsch), Hertz/Herzl, Cerf, Hart, and Hartman. Best Songs to Help Kids Brush Their Teeth, 120 Filipino Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings, 170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God', 600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls, Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases, Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborns Skin, Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do. The second element of the name is a diminutive suffix. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Thanks to the GGG's Mark Waldron for maintaining this database, and to all the GGG Members who have contributed their surnames to this project! We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. 2. ", Comes from a first name composed of "fame" and "war.". Among themselves, they kept their traditional names. Aber. Comes from a personal name Franc and is given to those coming from Franconia. Read on to know some last names that start with 'S' from across . The most common Czech last names have Czech, Slovak and German origins. This surname is used for a farmer or a gardener. 1. Of Czech origin, the surname is a longer form of Rokus, meaning reed. use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. This last name means a person with a sharp tongue. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy. For example, if a man was a master swordsman, his name might be schwerdecke, with schwerd and ecke both meaning sword. Most Russian last names are patronymic, meaning they derived from the given name of a child's father. Scholz (German origin) means mayor. The surname translates to Matthews or son of Matthew. It is very plausible that the choices were influenced by the general romantic tendencies of German culture at that time. These names include: Applebaum apple tree; Birnbaum pear tree; Buchsbaum box tree; Kestenbaum chestnut tree; Kirschenbaum cherry tree; Mandelbaum almond tree; Nussbaum nut tree; Tannenbaum fir tree; Teitelbaum palm tree. Oxford University Press. The surname is a status name derived from Sedlak, which means a farmer owning a smaller piece of land. The most Prussian families were found in USA in 1920. 93. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Check out: Check your inbox for your latest news from us. 2. 141. Jews used the town or region where they lived, or . 48. For example, Bergman was mountain dweller, Riethman referred to a farmer near a reedy site, and so on. Anti (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Anto or son of Ante, 3. Dutch: variant of Mulder. Bomba (Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, and Spanish origin) this surname is often used to describe people with a short temperament. 27. The most Hodge families were found in the USA in 1880. Valaitis Lithuanian, German (East Prussian) Best known as the surname of a certain Lena. This last name is predominantly found in Europe, where 61 percent of Berent reside; 55 percent reside in Eastern Europe and 53 percent reside in West Slavic Europe. Within that name held two syllables which both held distinct meanings. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. A family who was living near, or had once lived near, a stream or brook. 11. 43. These uncommon last names belong to famous and notable people from around the world who have had a tremendous impact on the lives of other people. They likely have some mouthwatering recipes in their family linethis last name means "cook. It has Slovak and Czech origins and means an English songbird redstart. . Ibragimov. document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + tlJsHost + "trustlogo/javascript/trustlogo.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Meaning "to cut," someone with this surname likely had an ancestor who worked as a cloth-cutter/tailor. The surname Williams was omitted from the original lists. Of Slavic origin, comes from word vacek, which means greater glory. Of Slavic origin, the surname means winter. Look no further because we have compiled this list with Germanic last names for you. There are several Slavic surnames that belong to different countries in the region. Franji (Croatian origin) this is one of the old Slavic names meaning son of Franjo, 11. The following table is a count of how many times each family name, or variation of that name, appears in the 1776 census of Mennonites in West Prussia. Slavk (Czech origin) meaning nightingale. Hoffman Surname Meaning. Some German-speaking Jews took last names as early as the 17th century, but the overwhelming majority of Jews lived in Eastern Europe and did not take last names until compelled to do so. Website Proudly Made in the USA. Chernenko (Ukrainian and Russian origin) In both Russian and Ukrainian languages, this name means the color black. German last names starting with K 22. Nikoli (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Nikola, 21. You may view the available forms in a new window by clicking on the links of your preferred format Or you can download (save files to your computer) by Right-Clicking on them instead, then choosing "Save as". Skla (Czech origin) meaning rock, 89. Horvat (Croatian and Slovene origin) meaning person from Croatia, 14. They have been superseded by more up-to-date and comprehensive information, which you can find on the Most Common Surnames in Birth, Marriage and Death registers pages. It is often used as a nickname for a miser. Of Slovak origin, it is an occupational surname for a rifle maker. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. This is one of the most common last names in Bulgaria and Russia. Baladin: A Small Crater on the Moon. A name fit for a king, as it means "emperor.". Beckenbauer (German origin) meaning bowl-builder. 1938. Many European Jews began using surnames only when it was mandated in the late 18th and 19th centuries. "Petr" means "stone" or "cliff" in Greek. Meyer is particularly common in the Low German-speaking regions, especially in Lower Saxony (where it is more common than Mller). While this name relates to a smithing (or craftsperson) job, we don't blame you if all you're thinking about is the New Girl character. While the sons retain their fathers names, the daughters, upon marrying, take on their husbands names. The Best Dating Sites and Apps: Complete List of the Top Online Dating Platforms, 50+ Redneck Names for Your Sweet Country Boy or Girl, 20+ Common Indian Last Names and Their Meanings. In both eastern and western countries, Russian surnames connect families to their Soviet roots. Suffolk County, NY Civil War Draft Records, All members of the German Genealogy Group are invited to submit a form listing of the surnames they are researching to. The German Genealogy Group (GGG) Surname List is a compilation of the surnames submitted by members of the GGG. Other place-based Jewish names include: Auerbach/Orbach; Bacharach; Berger (generic for townsman); Berg(man), meaning from a hilly place; Bayer from Bavaria; Bamberger; Berliner, Berlinsky from Berlin; Bloch (foreigner); Brandeis; Breslau; Brodsky; Brody; Danziger; Deutch/Deutscher German; Dorf(man), meaning villager; Eisenberg; Epstein; Florsheim; Frankel from the Franconia region of Germany; Frankfurter; Ginsberg; Gordon from Grodno, Lithuania or from the Russian word gorodin, for townsman; Greenberg; Halperinfrom Helbronn, Germany; Hammerstein; Heller from Halle, Germany; Hollander not from Holland, but from a town in Lithuania settled by the Dutch; Horowitz, Hurwich, Gurevitch from Horovice in Bohemia; Koenigsberg; Krakauer from Cracow, Poland; Landau; Lipsky from Leipzig, Germany; Litwak from Lithuania; Minsky from Minsk, Belarus; Mintzfrom Mainz, Germany; Oppenheimer; Ostreicher from Austria; Pinsky from Pinsk, Belarus; Posner from Posen, Germany; Prager from Prague; Rappoport from Porto, Italy; Rothenberg from the town of the red fortress in Germany; Shapiro from Speyer, Germany; Schlesinger from Silesia, Germany; Steinberg; Unger from Hungary; Vilner from Vilna, Poland/Lithuania; Wallachfrom Bloch, derived from the Polish word for foreigner; Warshauer/Warshavsky from Warsaw; Wiener from Vienna; Weinberg. This is a list of the most common surnames in South America. Alter/Alterman old; Dreyfusthree legged, perhaps referring to someone who walked with a cane; Erlich honest; Frum devout ; Gottleib God lover, perhaps referring to someone very devout; Geller/Gelber yellow, perhaps referring to someone with blond hair; Gross/Grossman big; Gruber coarse or vulgar; Feifer/Pfeifer whistler; Fried/Friedmanhappy; Hoch/Hochman/Langer/Langerman tall; Klein/Kleinman small; Koenig king, perhaps someone who was chosen as a Purim King, in reality a poor wretch; Krauss curly, as in curly hair; Kurtz/Kurtzman short; Reich/Reichman rich; Reisser giant; Roth/Rothman red head; Roth/Rothbard red beard; Shein/Schoen/Schoenman pretty, handsome; Schwartz/Shwartzman/Charney black hair or dark complexion; Scharf/Scharfman sharp, i.e intelligent; Stark strong, from the Yiddish shtark ; Springer lively person, from the Yiddish springen for jump. Ibragimov is derived from Abraham, meaning 'Father of many'. Huber (German origin) meaning landowner. It is the root of many Ashkenazic last names, including Liebowitz, Lefkowitz, Lebush, and Leon. The following list includes the 40 most popular contemporary Russian surnames, their meanings, and variations. Traditionally described as someone who was a feudal tenantbeing loaned land in exchange for rent or service. It is derived from a common nickname given to someone with curly hair, 77. Of Czech origin, this surname is an occupational name for a weaver. Either do your search for both spellings, or use a Wild Card search. This habitational name refers to someone who lived in a house differentiated with an eagle sign. The next most common source of Jewish last names is probably places. For whichever of the above surname search options you would like to use, simply select the appropriate radio button option below the Surname input field on the form. It means son of James. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. It is common among all peoples to take last names from the animal kingdom. The name should also suit your characters demeanor. Its a common surname given to people who reared or grew pear fruits, 73. Nedblek (Czech origin) derived from the word nedbal, meaning careless, 82. Most last names across cultures have a meaning and a story behind them and often relate to a family's origin, occupation, ancestors, etc. Aptheker druggist; Feldsher surgeon; Bader/Teller barber. This surname means good and is a short form of the names Blahoslav, Blazej. Grbi (Croatian, Serbian and Slovene origin) meaning hunchback, 12. 49. Find out how surnames are ranked in popularity, how many people in the United States of America bear a particular name, and how the statistics change between 1990 and 2000 US Censuses. They have varied origins and were also occupational and toponymic. Nachtnebel (German origin) meaning night fog. This is a diminutive form of Gabriel, which, in Hebrew, means God of strength. Derived from the personal name Hugh, which was introduced by the Normans to the British, the surname means bright in spirit. Of German origin, the surname means a person coming from Poland or a pole. Vorobyev is a common Russian surname and is an ode to precious sparrows. Heres a list of 140 Czech family names in alphabetical order: It is derived from the name Adam, which is a Hebrew term for a man. All rights reserved. Within census records, you can often find . Where variations of a spelling of a surname occurred, those monikers are listed as separate names. In fact, farming in North Germany grew to be a popular profession. 23. Other names, chosen or purchased, were combinations with these roots: Blumen (flower), Fein (fine), Gold, Green, Lowen (lion), Rosen (rose), Schoen/Schein (pretty) combined with berg (hill or mountain), thal (valley), bloom (flower), zweig (wreath), blatt (leaf), vald or wald (woods), feld (field). Kudrna (Czech origin) meaning curl. There are actors, actresses, mathematicians, music legends, and contemporary literature gurus on this list for you to get inspired. These funny occupational names can be hilarious and fascinating. This is closely followed by Schmidt (which is associated with the blacksmith's trade and can also be recognized in variations such as Schmitt or Schmitz). eznk (Czech and Slovak origin) meaning butcher in both languages. Ivanova (Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian origin) meaning daughter of Ivan. It is a toponymic name for people living by the hills. Kocur (Ukrainian origin) translating to tom cat or male cat, 47. Miscellaneous other names included Diamond; Glick/Gluck luck; Hoffman hopeful; Fried/Friedman happiness; Lieber/Lieberman lover. your doctor. Annals of Human Biology, 46:6, 475-490 Children inherit their fathers names in many cultures. Huba. June 29, 2022; seattle seahawks schedule 2023; psalms in spanish for funeral . Herzsprung (German origin) meaning "heart-leap". Kitzler (German origin) meaning tickler. 45. So, if you are looking for last names that start with 's,' we have got you covered. Until this period, Jewish names generally changed with every generation. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. 26. Petrov. Forebears knows about 1,424,981 unique surnames in Russia and there are 101 people per name. 25. Whats the most common last name in Colombia? Barno (Ukrainian, Russian, French, Aramaic, and Italian origin) a surname that is often associated with people from Tuscany, Italy. The word means a person from the hills and, is derived from the Czech word hora meaning hills. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. In Spanish cultures, people traditionally have 2 surnames.The first is the paternal surname (apellido paterno), the father's first surname, and the second is the . Chvtal (Czech origin) a derivate of the word chvtat, which means to hurry, 66. The big two are Cohen (Cohn, Kohn, Kahan, Kahn, Kaplan) and Levi (Levy, Levine, Levinsky, Levitan, Levenson, Levitt, Lewin, Lewinsky, Lewinson). Leichtenberg (German origin) means pile-of-corpses. For example, if there were multiple Johanns living in the same area, Johann Eichner would be the one living by the oaks, Johann Bruecker would be the one by the bridge, and so on. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed. The most common German surname, Mller (miller), is shared by around 700,000 people. For example: The son of Mendel took the last name Mendelsohn; the son of Abraham became Abramson or Avromovitch; the son of Menashe became Manishewitz; the son of Itzhak became Itskowitz; the son of Berl took the name Berliner; the son of Kesl took the name Kessler, etc. Schimmelpfennig (German origin) meaning moldy-penny. common prussian surnames. Ivanovi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Ivan, 16. 2. The name is used as a nickname for an unapproachable person. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu. Last names started as a way to separate one "John" from another "John." European last names had many sources. Comes from the first name Peter, which means stone. Research genealogy for Johann Ludwig Ruehl of Naunheim, Hessen-Nassau, Prussia, Germany, as well as other members of the Ruehl family, on Ancestry. Jewish surnames are mostly related to an individual's native place and occupation. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. The last name is derived from Valentin. Non-GGG members may search the Surname List database. These people have produced great inventions and works of art and by so doing sealed their names in history. Agnet f German (East Prussian), North Frisian (Archaic), East Frisian (Archaic) East Prussian German, North . Dzundza (German origin) the meaning of the name is not quite clear, but it is borne by a popular actor. But many of these families had a common denominator. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. - 300 unique dog names- Trendiest baby names- 150 funny WiFi names. Gogol (Ukrainian and Polish origin) means common goldeneye, which is a type of duck. Yet, these infamous, historical heavyweights, share a utopian vision - be it . Interestingly, some traditional Russian names are popular across all the ex-Soviet republics, in particular Alexander, Sergey, Maksim and Andrey; and Anna, Olga, Sofia and Anastasia. Patronymic, literally meaning "Peter's son. The Family History Library has large volumes of microfilm containing births, marriages and deaths from historical Prussia. The beautiful thing about last names is that they are handed down from one generation to the other. 33. Here are some German family surnames for you. Here are some of the most common Jewish family names and their meanings. Answer (1 of 9): They don't sound Slavic. Kovai (Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian origin) patronymic Slavic name from South Slavic which means blacksmith, 18. 90. Doleal (Czech origin) a surname that originated from a common nickname given to a lazy person, meaning to lie down, 67. For more naming ideas, take a look at these Slavic baby names and these Bulgarian names. A name coming from the word Roman, it means someone coming from Rome. Enjoy checking them all out! Also, if you want to know the meaning of your German surname then this is the list for you. Bartosz (Polish origin) derived from the name Bartosz, 95. lusarski (Polish origin) an occupational name given to a locksmith, derived from the word lusarz, which has Germanic origins. This last name means a person with a sharp tongue. Return to theMennonite GenealogyPrussian Mennonite Genealogical Resource Page. Vinkovi (Croatian origin) meaning son of Vinko, 29. Therefore, many were named things based on physical characteristics, nicknames, or religions. Please report any WEBSITE PROBLEMS to the GGG WEBMASTER. Names were derived from words representing landmarks that surrounded the farm each person had. Horek (Czech origin) derived from the Czech word hora, meaning mountain, 71. This occupational last name corresponded with fishing. 138. 14. Many became farmers, thus the terrain-related names, while others became fishermen, millers, smiths, etc., thus the names representing professions. Jedlika (Czech origin) derived from the Czech word jedle, meaning fir tree, 74. Gnther - Common name that means "warrior". As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. 5. Minorities were Austrian, Dutch, Scotch, French as well the original Prussians, Lithuanians and Poles. The Little Women character, Friedrich Bhaer, was the German professor who stole Jo March's heart. Islo m Medieval Occitan (Rare), Medieval German (Rare) Derived from Old High German isarn "iron". Germanic languages have had a huge influence in the development of certain English words, and surnames with German origins are therefore common in English-speaking countries. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. If you liked our suggestions for uncommon German last names then why not take a look at Belgian last names, or for something different take a look at last names that start with M. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. After all, whether you're a globetrotter who fell in love with Germany, have German ancestry that carries great significance to you, or have an affinity for German carsBMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, etc., there are many reasons why German surnames could make their way onto your lists of names. Schweinsteiger (German origin) means pig-climber. 1854. 1. Adamk (Czech Republic origin) derived from the name Adam, 57. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Read on for some more interesting Czech last names and common Czech last names. Of Slavic origin, the name is for a person coming from Russia. Hrub (Czech origin) A Czech word meaning coarse or crude, 72. ", Unsurprisingly, this surname means "sour. 41. Jelen (Czech origin) derived from a nickname, meaning stag in Czech, 76. It has a German origin, and it means fisher. "https://secure.trust-provider.com/" : "http://www.trustlogo.com/"); common prussian surnames. Your privacy is important to us. These last names are formed by adding suffixes to given names and other words. Tomi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Toma, 28. 34. The last names in the list are ranked by the frequency compared to the #1 which is Ivanov that has the coefficient of frequency 1,0 (or let's say 100 percent). The surname is given to someone who works as a butcher, 86. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Note: Correction 25 September 2014. In past times, German surnames were given based on occupation and sometimes social status. This is an occupational surname related to operating a mill (milling). Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Prussian surname lived. The surname is a nickname for a tenacious man. Dragovi (Croatian origin) meaning son of Drago, 8. Stojanovi (Croatian and Serbian origin) meaning son of Stojan, 27. Hoffmann. Cherneski (Ukrainian origin) derived from cherno or charno. Individuals with this German last name, like Succession's Nicholas Braun, have a name meaning "brown-haired. Gorbachev: Hunchback. Its a name for someone who lives by a grove. Broz (Croatian origin) a diminutive of Ambrozije, 6. Taub means dove in Yiddish. Can also be spelled as Andreyev / Andreyeva. Originated as a name for the steward of a large farm. Traditionally, this name would be used for someone who worked as an overseer of a cellar, or store chamber. Of Czech origin, a name is a derivative form of the name Vecesalav, which means big glory. Kidadl has lots of great name articles to inspire you. Germans needed a way to distinguish the difference between people in their towns that had similar names. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Rank Surname Incidence Frequency; 1: Ivanova: 927,695: 1:155: 2: Ivanov: 881,461: 1 . Like other Slavic languages, Russian names also follow a patronymic pattern by adding -nov or -nova for the son of or daughter of to a given name. 38. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. The surname is derived from the first name Stephen. Thats why most surnames belonging to women in the Czech Republic have the suffix ova or a, instead of y. Common Slavic last names often include patronymics (names developed using your father's name), familial names, and even pet names. Malaya (Russian and Ukrainian origin) in both Russian and Ukrainian languages, this word means small or "little, 49. It is a west Slavic name which means nose. For example, Asch is an acronym for the towns of Aisenshtadt or Altshul or Amshterdam. The process began in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1787 and ended in Czarist Russia in 1844. 42. The surname has Czech, Polish and Jewish origins. 1854. What are some German last names? Vlk means little wolf. List of the most common surnames in Germany. Unsurprisingly, this surname means "new.". Waltz (German origin) means "descendant of Walzo". The surname is a habitational surname from a place called Urbanovice. 40. These last names are among the most popular ones in German culture. . Common Russian Surnames and Meanings. Names are derived from so many factors. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! 10. Modrow (Polish origin) means dark blue. The surname is a habitational name for someone from any of the many places in Bohemia and Moravia. var tlJsHost = ((window.location.protocol == "https:") ? The original post remains below, but a follow-up post outlining the errors, as well as further explanation, can be found here. ); Stein/Steiner/Stone jeweler; Wasserman water carrier. Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. Wagenknecht (German origin) means wagon servant. Ismeria f Medieval English, Medieval German, Spanish. Ancient names help us connect to our roots and also give us a sense of humbleness. Reviewing a list of German surnames and their meanings could be exactly what someone needs for their artistic endeavor. Poroshenko (Ukrainian origin) translating to gunpowder or dust, this occupational name was given to someone who sold gunpowder. Many people there had German ancestors who emigrated from Saltzburg and a variety of other German cities and states. Here are some ancient Czech last names to instil this feeling: The name is of German origin and means bear. Cantor (German origin) the name of a mathematician and an outstanding violinist. Levin - A derivative of the German name Liebwin. Between their spelling and meanings, there is plenty to dive into when it comes to these 50 German last names! Some Jews either held on to or adopted traditional Jewish names from the Bible and Talmud. ", Just like its length, this last name means "small, short.". ", A common last name that means "farmer" or "peasant.". Please note that the Surname (e.g. Since the Jews are spread worldwide, their surnames can be found across the . For example, the surname Novotny becomes Novotna, or Novak becomes Novakova. It is a common surname for a person who deals in rye or bakes bread. List Of Popular German Last Names Or Surnames. The surname represents someone who brings something. It has a Czech/Slovak origin and means a person of strength from a place named Doubek. It is also the last name of a famous female socialist. Alvarez (Old German) means "son of Alvaro" and is most search and used surname in Columbia. Surnames in Germany are quirky and funny at the same time. Originated as a name for the steward of a large farm. It means someone new to the place. Andrysiak (Polish origin) meaning son of Andrzej, 94. A famous bearer of this name was Lawrence . An individual with this last name likely had a carpenter in their family. The name is a habitational surname forsomeone from a place near a rock. It is also the last name of a famous female socialist. 38. 1. Mller, Schmidt and Meier: the most common German surnames The most common German surname, Mller (miller), is shared by around 700,000 people. The name is of Czech and Slovak origin and means red ruddy. German Surnames. The surname is an ethnic name for a Hungarian. It is a habitational name for someone coming from Tabor in Bohemia. You don't need to search for these last names because we have put this together for you. Prussians were NOT Slavs. Of Czech origin, the surname means freedom. Location-wise, this name corresponded to someone living in an area that had been cleared by fire. Usually, names were given as a result of occupation or status, so you might find some weird last names that are now very uncommon because people don't have such jobs anymore, and the later generation of these names opted for a name change. Jews used the town or region where they lived, or where their families came from, as their last name. Czech surnames, just like English names, are passed down to generations.