why is it commonplace to hyphenate certain first names together in certain European countries, chiefly German and French-speaking nations?
and why is this seemingly restricted to certain pair-combinations?
There seem to be certain combinations that are very, very common e.g. Jean-Paul and Karl-Heinz.
we have been discussing this in the office and nobody has a satisfactory answer.
― Grandpont Genie, Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:02 (sixteen years ago)
Karlheinz can also be all one word. Also happens in Scandinavia.
― Tom D says "...get them fuckin' up here, ya fuckin' walloper!" (Tom D.), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:03 (sixteen years ago)
A German friend of mine told me that Karlheinz was a very old fashioned, rural sort of name
― Tom D says "...get them fuckin' up here, ya fuckin' walloper!" (Tom D.), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:04 (sixteen years ago)
we were wondering whether it might be something to do with saints.
could explain Jean-Marie. Gospel writer and Jesus's mum.
― Grandpont Genie, Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:44 (sixteen years ago)
Very Catholic, originally, no? Quite common also in Italy, Spain, Portugal.
― Michael White, Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:47 (sixteen years ago)
So why is it so common in Scandinavia?
― Tom D says "...get them fuckin' up here, ya fuckin' walloper!" (Tom D.), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:50 (sixteen years ago)
it is? they have middle names they use but they don't hyphenate do they?
― Annoying Display Name (blueski), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:53 (sixteen years ago)
i wish it had taken off in Ireland
― Annoying Display Name (blueski), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:54 (sixteen years ago)
Maybe, wasn't it Sven-Goran?
― Tom D says "...get them fuckin' up here, ya fuckin' walloper!" (Tom D.), Thursday, 2 October 2008 14:54 (sixteen years ago)