Names in America

美国人的名字

Most parents in the United States give their babies a first, middle and last name when they are born.

在美国，大多数父母会为刚出生的小孩取全名，依次是名，中间名和姓。

The last name is generally their family name.

姓通常是家族姓氏。

First names are a different story.

而名就各有来头了。

Some children's names are also the names of cities, plants or flowers.

有些孩子的名字取自城市，植物或花卉。

Religious names from the Bible are also common.

从《圣经》里选名字也很普遍。

Americans even choose names from other countries.

美国人还喜欢挑外国名字或名人名字为孩子取名。

Americans are interested in the names that famous actors, entertainers and athletes give their children.

美国人喜欢给孩子起知名演员，娱乐人士及运动员的名字。

Some famous people like names that have been around for many years.

有些名人喜欢那些已经使用了很久的名字。

Last names as first names are also popular.

把姓氏用作名字的做法也很流行。

Middle names have become important because many famous people use them.

由于不少名人都在使用中间名。因此中间名越来越受到重视。

A middle name is also a way for parents to honor a family member or hero.

中间名也是父母用来纪念某位家庭成员或英雄人物的一种方式。

Some parents give a girl a boy's middle name.

一次家长给女生取一个男生用的中间名。

Some American women use their former last name as a middle name after they marry.

也有些美国妇女用她们结婚前使用的姓作为中间名。