THE NAMING PATTERNS OF THE AFRIKAANS COMMUNITY BEFORE THE 20th CENTURY

When searching for ancestors naming patterns can be a useful aid.
However, one must bear in mind, that these rules were not rigidly adhered to at all times.

Problem: the below pattern was not adhered to in more recent years.

CHILD	NAMED AFTER
Eldest son	Father's father
Second son	Mother's father
Third son	Father
Fourth son	Father's eldest brother
Fifth son	Father's second eldest brother or mother's eldest brother
Eldest daughter	Mother's mother
Second daughter	Father's mother
Third daughter	Mother
Fourth daughter	Mother's eldest sister
Fifth daughter	Mother's second eldest sister or father's eldest sister
Further children	Other uncles and aunts. Then names of the great-grandparents would be used.