Carolyn, Away back the "Germany speaking families" when they had their babies Baptized, the babes were all given a Bible Name as a first name. The Boys were usually given the 1st. name of Johannes (later John or Hans) and THEN their middle (Christian) name was usually that of the male witness that was along for the Baptizing: George, Henry, Jacob etc. As for the female,s it was MARIA for the babies and then the Christian name, that of the lady present, such their grandmother etc: Catherine, Elizabeth, Barbara etc. The First maybe "stuck" with John or Hans, and Maria, Mary or even Polly, meaning the same thing (for the girl,s, of course). The change being due to the English language. Of course the above may not have been "carved in stone", but as a rule you can at least have a"starting" point. Of course, more could be said in regards to the above. Ernest