Naming Patterns in the 18th & 19th Century In general, families tended to name their children in a specific pattern, as follows: Males First-born Son - named after the father's father Second-born Son - named after the mother's father Third-born Son - named after the father Fourth-born Son - named after the father's eldest brother Fifth-born Son - named after the father's 2nd oldest brother or mother's oldest brother Females First-born Daughter - named after the mother's mother Second-born Daughter - named after the father's mother Third-born Daughter - named after the mother Fourth-born Daughter - named after the mother's eldest sister Fifth-born Daughter - named after the mother's 2nd oldest sister or father's oldest sister The above is from: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8088/patterns.html