If John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy were alive and, in 2003, adopted a Black child and changed his name to ‘John Kennedy,’ would he then be ‘John Kennedy the Third’? Or No since the kid is not biologically theirs?

    • P1nkman@lemmy.world
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      4 hours ago

      Which is why I named my son Lucifer XLII.

      Tap for spoiler

      Because he’s my 42nd child. Don’t tell the other 41 that I have a favourite.

  • spittingimage@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    You can be born with a name, but not in the same sense that you’re born with kidneys. It’s okay to refer to the kid by whatever name makes everyone feel good.

  • litchralee@sh.itjust.works
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    7 hours ago

    Seeing as people can change their own name to whatever they want, including if there is no preceding generation with that name, then no, there’s no particular issue with suffixes on names.

    I’d like to point out that in the English-speaking world, the English (and now British) Monarchy increments the generation number without regard for the immediately preceding generation. As in, Elizabeth II was crowned 300+ years after Elizabeth I. So it is well accepted that ordering doesn’t necessarily matter and there is no hard rule against it.

    • DebatableRaccoon@lemmy.ca
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      6 hours ago

      It’s different between monarchs and regular people. Kings and queens are known by their first name. Lizzy was the second Elizabeth on the throne, thus Elizabeth II. For private individuals, the distinction is because of the assumption the predecessor is alive while Junior and The Third are around and are used to avoid confusion.

  • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

    I’m sure there are people who would say it’s not allowed, but I don’t see why not. The family can do whatever they what, doesn’t matter what other people think.

  • SolidShake@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

    This seems like a case of it doesn’t matter. If I adopt a child and raise it, it is mine and can inherit my name. Idgaf