Religion can have a significant effect on names for Mormons, who often deliberately combine the first names of parents or grandparents (meaning that, for example, 'Lewis' and 'Amanda' could end up becoming 'Le'anda') they also commonly select unusual and eccentric name spellings (including Alysoon, Leee, Tymberlee and Katlynn), as well as utilising French prefixes like 'Le–' or 'De–' to make new names (such as DeBekka or LaJune).Īnother naming custom that has evolved primarily amongst white Americans is changing surnames into first names, an idea that allegedly originated in the American South in the early 20th Century, when poor immigrant families chose given names they viewed as sophisticated and aspirational. Since many of the first European colonisers were Christian Puritans (especially in the early 1600s), religiously-themed names have a long history in America, with names like Jacob, Noah or Elijah still ranking highly amongst parents. Naming law can sometimes be controversial (as in a case where a Tennessee judge tried to prevent a child from being named 'Messiah', but was eventually fired for showing religious bias, since there was no law preventing such a name being used). There are even states like Kentucky, where there are no restrictions whatsoever on parents naming their children.

The structure of 'given name, middle name, family name' is fixed throughout most of the population of white Americans, though the laws relating to names in America are relatively loose, with some states only imposing restrictions in terms of the number of characters in the name (due to software restrictions), while others will prevent parents from giving a child a name that could be interpreted as obscene. For most Americans with ancestors of European origins, their naming customs will often match closely with their original country.

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