Generational Naming Question

[Jennifer]

I got this question for my column but do not know the answer. Is there a customary rule about this? Writer is from Texas, US.
___________

We are having our first child and it is a boy. My wife is one of three
girls and wanted to carry on her fathers and grand fathers initials of TD.
We have decided to name him Troy David that is her grandfather's first name and her dad's middle name. Now my parents are upset saying that is it proper to name your first son with the fathers family names before the mothers family names. Is there an etiquette that speaks to this?
___________

[ckevans]

There are some historians who have written about this. This was the way it usually worked in the 18th century. In colonial New England, a family's first son was normally named after the father's father, the second after the mother's father. But this was never a hard and fast rule, and I've never seen it written down in a formal etiquette book. It was common to break the "rules" back in colonial times to honor a relative who had just died, for instance. And certainly in 2008 it seems rather sexist and controlling on the part of this man's parents to bring this up. I don't think there is anything "improper" about naming a first son after the mother's side of the family, even if it is less common.

[speechykeen]

"Dear Troubled in Texas,
Congrats on your new son! Tell your parents to get over themselves, they already had their shot at naming babies!"

Probably good that I don't write the column, eh? :lol:

[Jennifer]

HAHA Jen! OK, Dr. Evans, I'll probably quote you, if that's ok!

Jennifer

[ckevans]

Yes, go right ahead. :)