Names are never given accidentally; they are chosen and bestowed according to rules that reflect fundamental features of the society and culture concerned. This is a study of the nature and history of naming practices in Western Europe.

Part 1 Ancient Rome: the name system - individual and family; name and status; Roman expansion; late Roman names. Part 2 The Middle Ages: Germanic names; the Franks; the Anglo-Saxons; Christian names; second names 1; second names 2. Part 3 Modern times: first names 1500-1900 1; first names 1500-1900 2; family names, title and nicknames; Europe in the 20th century.