Last Names
I never thought about last names, really.
Earlier this week, though, I saw something somewhere (sorry, I don't remember) about how the number of last names was shrinking over time. Some have even disappeared.
Technically, I should say "surname," because in some countries, the family name is first.
It's obvious when you think about it, even though I never had. Two people, each with distinct surnames, marry. In most countries, the wife takes the husband's surname.
Repeat millions and millions (billions?) of times.
Now, surnames that seem very common (like Hall and Bell) have declined substantially in this century. Eventually, they may disappear.
Hyphenated names can mitigate this, to a degree, but if two people with hyphenated names marry, it's tough to keep all four. Conifer-Leiderhosen-Periwinkle-Henley doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
<< Home