It's an unwritten Catholic tradition (and explains a lot about my tree, lol)-
"The unwritten Catholic Tradition dictates that children to be baptized should be given the name of a Saint. The following examples explain how Catholic names were chosen in the past.
1 st boy: Joseph John Anthony Smith 2 nd boy: Joseph Henry Robert Smith 3 rd boy: Joseph Francis Donald Smith
1 st girl: Mary Magdeleine Esther Smith 2 nd girl: Mary Agnes Anna Smith 3 rd girl: Mary Claire Monica Smith
Each child has 3 surnames and 1 family name.
The first name of every boy is always Joseph. The first name of every girl is always Mary. These names represent the names of Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus.
The second name represents the child's given name, the name of a female saint for a girl and the name of a male saint for a boy.
The third name represents, if it is the first girl or the first boy in the family, the name of the mother for the girl and the name of the father for the boy. For all the other children, the 2 nd, the 3 rd, etc..., the third name is the name of the godmother for a girl and the name of the godfather for a boy.
As a general rule, the child is called by the name of the Saint when spoken to. When he/she writes his/her name, it involves writing the name of the saint and the family name. If an initial must be used, it is the initial of the 3 rd name, the name of the parent or godparent, which ever applies. "
no subject
"The unwritten Catholic Tradition dictates that children to be baptized should be given the name of a Saint. The following examples explain how Catholic names were chosen in the past.
1 st boy: Joseph John Anthony Smith
2 nd boy: Joseph Henry Robert Smith
3 rd boy: Joseph Francis Donald Smith
1 st girl: Mary Magdeleine Esther Smith
2 nd girl: Mary Agnes Anna Smith
3 rd girl: Mary Claire Monica Smith
Each child has 3 surnames and 1 family name.
The first name of every boy is always Joseph. The first name of every girl is always Mary. These names represent the names of Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus.
The second name represents the child's given name, the name of a female saint for a girl and the name of a male saint for a boy.
The third name represents, if it is the first girl or the first boy in the family, the name of the mother for the girl and the name of the father for the boy. For all the other children, the 2 nd, the 3 rd, etc..., the third name is the name of the godmother for a girl and the name of the godfather for a boy.
Therefore, the names are..
(Joseph or Mary)(A Saint)(The parent [1 st] / godparent [2+])(Family name)
As a general rule, the child is called by the name of the Saint when spoken to. When he/she writes his/her name, it involves writing the name of the saint and the family name. If an initial must be used, it is the initial of the 3 rd name, the name of the parent or godparent, which ever applies. "
http://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu197.htm