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mehnimalism t1_ivz023m wrote

Reply to comment by puneralissimo in The effect of the First World War on names, in France [OC] by bjco

I have a sneaking suspicion this was in memory of fathers who were killed.

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Doortofreeside t1_ivzeeuo wrote

The immediate jump after the declaration of war makes me think it's also that fathers were away from home at that time.

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mehnimalism t1_ivzem2s wrote

Ah, you know what, you’re right. I’d say memorializing is the small trend after and absence is closer to 80% of cause.

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poupadis t1_ivzmeim wrote

for sure.

similarly, people about to leave for war might want to leave a reminder for their child in case they died

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Pretlik t1_iw22hqw wrote

I never thought about it that way. My grandfather was born after his father was send off to fight in WW2, so he never met his dad. But he does share a name with him. My great grandfather died fighting in the war and his son got to live on with the same name.

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grundhog t1_iw14vyu wrote

Name the kids after the dead father to better secure support from late father's family. Classic survival move

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sleeknub t1_iw1anax wrote

Or were at high risk of being killed in the near future.

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