Study Finds Shift to Hereditary Surnames Led to More Diverse First Names

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A new study published in Nature Communications examines how the shift from attributive last names to inherited surnames in Europe and the English-speaking world starting in the 17th century led to a rise in the diversity of first names. Researchers from the University of Tübingen, MIT, UC Irvine, and the University of Texas at Austin found that the fixing of last names resulted in a loss of information within the naming system, which was then compensated for by first names conveying more and more information over time.

Why it matters

This study provides insights into the evolution of naming practices and how societal changes can impact the information conveyed through personal names. Understanding these historical shifts in naming systems can offer valuable perspectives on the role of names in identity, culture, and social dynamics.

The details

The researchers analyzed birth records from Finland over a 150-year period from 1650 to 1800. They found that as the use of hereditary surnames increased, the diversity and information content of first names also grew. This suggests that the fixing of last names led to a need to convey more individualized information through first names, as the previous system of attributive last names had provided more contextual details about a person.

• The study examined naming practices in Europe and the English-speaking world from 1650 to 1800.
• The shift from attributive last names to inherited surnames began in the 17th century.