Helms 1 Roy Helms Professor Lynn Raymond UWRT 1102-E01 1/21/15 Significance of Names All over the world there are many differences and similarities that can be found between groups of people, but no matter where in the world you go can find that people reuse names of their parents or past ancestors. This common practice Is mostly found in surnames because surnames never leave a family and unless that person legally changes their names or the family’s generation stops with women or men that don't have children. There are not many times that this happens, but it is a tragedy when it does, This has been happening ever since the beginning of time.and \ there are multiple reasons why. I personally have the first name of my father’s grandfather and my father’s middle name for my name. | do not have a problem with this because I love both of these names. My sister has alittle bit more of a unique name. Her name consists of both my mother’s father’s name and my mother’s mother’s name combined. Their beach Pu names are Melvin and Lena respectively and my sister’s name is Mellena. These names are very important because they area way of identification, but similar names as ancestors give a persons name a little bit more meaning and sentimental value. That is what I have seen many people do that very thing and I do thing that it is a great way of starting curiasity for the child ta want to know who's name theyHelms 2 have. | myself wanted to know more about my grandfather since | am named after him. I wanted to know what he was like and all that | could learn about him. Now surnames are a different story. There was a time when last names were given to people according to their occupation, such as Smith would be for a blacksmithing family. Surnames have been this way for centuries and their meanings have became accessible by searching the last name on the Internet. My last name, Helms, supposedly was for a person that worked on roofing shelters for cattle back in the olden days. This would have been a fun job and [am proud of my ancestors for doing such noble deed, These surnames are also a great way to prevent intermarriage. There are many defects of children that could come from a marriage between family members. Itis a custom for people to marry others with different last names than themselves, No matter whom you ask they probably have a little story behind their name; at the very least they can find out what their last name means, This is just) something that humans have developed over time and will more than likely continue to do. ‘This has been a pretty interesting topic, and it shows the similar thought process of all humans. This is something Iook forward to researching ta see who came before me and seeing what they were doing back then.