in Europe, surnames appear much later than first names. After the 11th century, Europeans began to use surnames gradually. It was not until the Renaissance in the 16th century that the Christian church required the registration of surnames, and surnames were widely used.
In the late 18th century and early 19th century, American Jews were forced to use surnames because of legal constraints, so they took an indifferent attitude towards surnames and even changed them frequently. The descendants of Spaniards, on the other hand, value their surnames more than anyone else and will never change them easily. As for the surnames of black Americans, most of them were inherited from the slave owners in those days.
adopting the names of extraordinary people in history has always been a fashion among Americans. Names like Augustine, Martin, Charles, William, Elizabeth and George abound. At the same time, American presidents and national heroes are also admired by people. Many people named their children Washington, Lincoln, or Franklin and Roosevelt.
In America, people don't think it is taboo for a son to take his father's name. On the contrary, some people are very happy to let their children and grandchildren use their own names and are proud of it. Former US President franklin roosevelt and oil magnate Rockefeller gave their sons the same names. In order to make a difference, Americans often address people with the same name as their fathers with the word "small", such as "Roosevelt Jr." and "Rockefeller Jr.".
when addressing each other, acquaintances are used to calling each other by their first names instead of surnames, that is, calling each other by their first names. When a name is used to calling or expressing affection, it often changes in pronunciation. For example, call John Johnny, James Jimmy, Jane Janet, and Elizabeth Libby, Lisa or Lizzie.
American women use their husbands' surnames after marriage, but still keep their first names. Generally speaking, when people address a married woman, they use her husband's surname plus the word "madam". For example, Clara Ford married John Smith, and people called her John. Mrs Smith. However, when she writes a letter or registers her signature, she often writes Clara Smith in her own name instead of her husband's name. Once her husband died, she used her husband's name completely instead of her own.
However, there are exceptions for married women not to use their husbands' surnames. Actresses often use stage names. In order not to affect the value of actresses, theater managers often keep their marriages strictly confidential, and naturally they are not allowed to use their husbands' surnames. In addition, women writers seldom use their husbands' surnames because of their pen names.
interestingly, some American names are so grotesque that they make jokes. It is said that a student from Texas State University once applied for a job in the library. The curator asked him, "What's your name?" He replied, "Guess." The curator was very annoyed and said angrily, "I'm really sorry, I'm very busy at work and I don't have time to guess your last name." Say and leave. In fact, the student's name is William. You guess (Wiliiam Yo- gess), but he lost a chance to work. Another example is that a policeman in Chicago caught a drunk on the street and asked him his name. He replied drunkenly, "I am an alcoholic." The policeman thundered, "Who doesn't know that you are an alcoholic and asks what your name is?" Who knows that the drunk didn't show weakness and shouted, "Didn't I tell you I was an alcoholic?" The police looked it up with a grain of salt, only to know that his name was indeed Toper Cate. Fortunately, such strange names are rare in the United States, otherwise I don't know how many misunderstandings will be made.