I know someone with two cats, both of whom are named "George Foreman." Not many people get the joke, but for those who do, it's pretty funny.

I find the whole magic of names to be very strange. Grown men walking around with shirts that have someone else's name on the back. Hey, look at me, I'm Brett Favre! No, you're just an idiot with Brett Favre's name on your back. I don't get it.

But I guess it could be worse. I once met a kid whose last name was Downes. His parents had named him Upsin. I'm sure he'd prefer to have been named George Foreman.

Those grown men are probably just fans. They love and support Brett Favre and his team.

As for naming one's children after oneself, I have the same first name as my father, and his father. We all have different middle names, and my father and I went by nicknames in our youth. I felt a certain solidarity from it - being the oldest son, it felt like I was carrying on a proud tradition and an inside joke at the same time. Even my great- and great-great-grandfather had first names that started with the same letter as my own.

We laugh about it, but we're proud, too. I admit, I would probably feel a bit differently if I had four brothers with the same name, or if I had the same middle name as my father, but fortunately, we all have enough sense not to do that.

I find the practice of naming a child after the father to be the result of poor consideration for the next generation. Name the first child junior, and how does the second child feel? (The good name was taken!) Name the last child after the father and it's like you saved the best for last. "Little Johnny" may revel in his name and feel solidarity and a connection, but for every child that feels that, there MUST be countless others who lack a sense of self -- believing to be a replication of someone before -- either in reality or expectations. Bob above said he felt solidarity -- but do you have brothers who felt the same -- or is the privilege only accorded to the first born? I have friends who named the daughter after Mom and the son after Dad -- good thing no unplanned pregnancies resulted in a child with no connections...
It's anecdotal to be sure, but my observations have forced me to conclude that giving your name to the next generation (and likewise passing on to the III, the IV or beyond) is a burden to that generation, and a slight to any children that follow or precede. Joe Jr. either hates his father or his brother hates him....finding an identity in life is hard enough -- why start with a template? Use Dad's name in the middle -- for connection to all the sons -- or use Mom's maiden name as the middle name ... but let each child be authentic. Grrrr. Hot button for sure.

I LOVED the George Foreman cats!! :) Your friend is cool.

Regarding naming your children, I like the idea of naming a child after a family member but NOT after yourself. Not only is it confusing when the phone rings and the caller asks for Thomas, but, in my opinion, it smacks of something strange, either insecurity or ego.

I love my husband's first name but it's taken. I'm currently expecting and we are naming this child after long-deceased relatives but not after ourselves.

loved both cats named "George Foreman"..great!

I am the youngest of two sons, and have been named after my Dad, both first and middle name- and had never considered how this may have made my older brother feel, as if he had been passed up for the promotion possibly.

Personally, I believe kids should get their own names, give them a foundation to develop their own identity.