In my culture, your dad's name automatically becomes your middle name, and your granddad's becomes your surname, kind of so you can directly trace your lineage through names. So thankfully, this a specific problem that's avoided haha, unless someone wants to have the same middle and first name. I do find the idea of being called "Junior" very strange though, a little bit of me thinks names are a reflection of what the parent wants for their child ... let's go back to the drawing board people !
I wasn't named for my mother's sister (she's Elizabeth), but we do both go by Betsy. So, she was always Big Bets and I li'l Bets. I have been about 6 inches taller since the 7th grade, but the names have always stuck in the family. Now we call her (at 92) Grand Bets which connotes her status in the family and is a little gentler. I am still li'l Bets to some of my cousins ever though I tower over most. Grand Bets has always been a favorite aunt, so I never begrudged the connection or felt lesser than. Thanks for sharing and happy new year.
I'm named after my mother - first and middle name. I always had a nickname growing up to distinguish us. I completely agree naming your child after you is WEIRD!
I laughed aloud...because I feel your frustrations! I am a junior, as well. My dad was always Big Roy; I was Little Roy. Even now, with him dead, I'm still Little Roy when I go back to Kentucky. And if I'm in trouble, my sister will call me "Little Roy Lee." The horror doesn't stop there. There was in my family, no lie, the following: Big Paul, Little Paul; Big Marvin, Little Marvin; Big Normal, Little Normal; Big Dennis, Little Dennis; and Oscar. I was always jealous of Oscar. Goofy name, but at least it was all his!
Damn funny, Richard!--or Junior, or Chip (as in "chip off the old block"--I hope that one's largely disappeared), or whatever your name is. All the best to you in 2023.
Happy New Year, the one and only Richard Goodman, writer / author extraordinaire! Thank you for starting 2023 with a laugh (several, actually) delivered in your uniquely bold and candid voice.
I')m afraid I did laugh- a lot. But there's nothing small about your accomplishments at all.
We don't go in for Junior over here but there are other ways: my husband was called Mark Thomson like his father (who was in fact away in WW2 when he was born.) But he was always known as Mark-Henry in the family, to his annoyance and as an adult he took the simple expedient of changing to Marc, as I have always known him.
In my culture, your dad's name automatically becomes your middle name, and your granddad's becomes your surname, kind of so you can directly trace your lineage through names. So thankfully, this a specific problem that's avoided haha, unless someone wants to have the same middle and first name. I do find the idea of being called "Junior" very strange though, a little bit of me thinks names are a reflection of what the parent wants for their child ... let's go back to the drawing board people !
I wasn't named for my mother's sister (she's Elizabeth), but we do both go by Betsy. So, she was always Big Bets and I li'l Bets. I have been about 6 inches taller since the 7th grade, but the names have always stuck in the family. Now we call her (at 92) Grand Bets which connotes her status in the family and is a little gentler. I am still li'l Bets to some of my cousins ever though I tower over most. Grand Bets has always been a favorite aunt, so I never begrudged the connection or felt lesser than. Thanks for sharing and happy new year.
Richard, another great piece. I enjoyed it very much. Happy new year!
I'm named after my mother - first and middle name. I always had a nickname growing up to distinguish us. I completely agree naming your child after you is WEIRD!
I laughed aloud...because I feel your frustrations! I am a junior, as well. My dad was always Big Roy; I was Little Roy. Even now, with him dead, I'm still Little Roy when I go back to Kentucky. And if I'm in trouble, my sister will call me "Little Roy Lee." The horror doesn't stop there. There was in my family, no lie, the following: Big Paul, Little Paul; Big Marvin, Little Marvin; Big Normal, Little Normal; Big Dennis, Little Dennis; and Oscar. I was always jealous of Oscar. Goofy name, but at least it was all his!
Damn funny, Richard!--or Junior, or Chip (as in "chip off the old block"--I hope that one's largely disappeared), or whatever your name is. All the best to you in 2023.
PS: Watch "Sr.", the Robert Downey Jr documentary about his father, Robert Downey Sr, to get another appreciation of the Jr/Sr dynamic. A great movie.
Traditionally, the "Jr" is only used while the "Sr" is alive. So you're not junior anymore, not that you ever have been to those who know you.
Happy new year, Richard C. Goodman!
Happy New Year, the one and only Richard Goodman, writer / author extraordinaire! Thank you for starting 2023 with a laugh (several, actually) delivered in your uniquely bold and candid voice.
I')m afraid I did laugh- a lot. But there's nothing small about your accomplishments at all.
We don't go in for Junior over here but there are other ways: my husband was called Mark Thomson like his father (who was in fact away in WW2 when he was born.) But he was always known as Mark-Henry in the family, to his annoyance and as an adult he took the simple expedient of changing to Marc, as I have always known him.