I thought of this in the shower, then deleted it when someone in a discord I asked it to eventually said duh it’s Michael Jackson, and another replied Michael Jordan you dumbass … oof … but then while deleted it got upvotes somehow so whatever lol

  • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
    111·
    2 days ago

    Is Jackson a “first” name? Sure, I understand that some people use it as a first name, but I would say someone named Jackson Smith has two last names.

    Michael Jordan though, that’s legit.

    • deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz
      101·
      2 days ago

      Jackson is a patronymic last name: Jack’s son.

      Smith is an aptronymic last name: a smith.

      So yeah, bang on.

      • Tujio@lemmy.world
        3·
        2 days ago

        There are a bunch of aptronymic last names, especially in English culture. The Baker family, the Tanner family, the Shoemaker family etc.

        Don’t ask about the Dickinsons.

      • phubarr@lemmy.world
        3·
        23 hours ago

        I’d love to know why you know these terms. I’m a huge etymology nerd and I eat this stuff up.

        This entire thread begs the question, why do some people have a first name for a last name? Is it just a less-clear patronym?

        • deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz
          2·
          21 hours ago

          I too am an etymology geek, I had to look up “aptronym” (I already knew there was a word for it, but couldn’t remember it) but already knew “patronym”. I can occasionally work out the approximate Latin roots of words and take a stab at what to search for.

          Regarding names’ positions moving around… that’s just people. People name their children all sorts of stupid things that eventually become normal.