Babies named after dead siblings

[Viktoria]

Hi, I am wondering how common it was for parents who had lost a young baby to call their next child of the same sex, by the same name .It happened in our family when in 1888 my grandparents lost their eight month old son William Thomas-named after his maternal grandfather- and the next child  bon in 1890 was also a son and he was named William . The fact that my great-grandfather William Thomas had died and one baby had been named after him who then also died at such a young age probably influenced my grandparent`s decision to name the next baby after his grandfather and  -older brother -to carry on the name. Just curious. Viktoria.
          

[Koromo]

I have three boys, all with the same name born in 1792, 1794 and 1796 in Nottingham.  I have only found evidence of the last one (my ggg-grandfather) so can only presume that the earlier two didn't survive.

There are other examples of children named for dead siblings in my other family lines too.


Koromo

[pinot]

David Lloyd George was given the same name as his older sibling who died in early infancy.
                       Pinot

[Lady Di]

This happened a lot in many of my families in the 17 and 1800's. It was more obvious when checking census. One census has a child aged 5 called (eg) William and the next census has a child called William aged 2. Subsequent checking confirms the death of the first child.

The idea seems to have vanished in later times but certainly was common in previous generations.

Di

[kiwihalfpint]

If a child dies in infancy, his or her name is often given to a subsequent child - a natural consequence of the high birth rate and infant mortality rates of past times.

This has happened a lot in my family trees.


Cheers
KHP

[carol8353]

My husband,born into a London based Irish family in 1950,was given the name of his older brother who sadly had died 18 months before Pat was born at the age of just 9 months old.

The christian name is that of his paternal grandfather,and I suppose they felt the need to carry that name on in at least one of the grandchildren

They did at least give him a different middle name though.

Carol

[kiwihalfpint]

They did at least give him a different middle name though.

Carol

I have at least 3 that the middle name stayed.

Cheers
KHP

[ritchiewilk]

My g-g-grandparents named a son Isaac, after my g-g-g-grandfather. This son died in infancy.  They had another son and he was named Isaac but sadly he also died in infancy.  They named their third son  Isaac Walter and he died aged 65.  As far as I know he was the last Isaac in the family.  Maybe Isaac Walter, his brothers and cousins were scared to give their sons the name Isaac.

Ritchie

[Ron Lankshear]

Yes I see this happen many times.
Trying to find one of mine a Mary in 1780s one potential there were two deaths before her called Mary also.

I wonder why they did it. Seems to be all around England. Any one know of social reasons why they would do this?