Why does Barack Obama's grandfather have the same name as his mother?

Answer 1

According to biographers, Stanley Dunham, Mr. Obama's maternal grandfather, wanted a son. But when he and his wife had a daughter, he decided to name her Stanley, with Ann as her middle name. By many accounts, she was never particularly fond of being named Stanley, and she never used it. She generally used her middle name (Ann).

Answer 2

Barack Obama's grandfather and mother having the same name is a coincidence. It is not uncommon for family members to share names across generations, especially if it is a name with cultural or family significance. In this case, it is likely that both his grandfather and mother were given the same name as a way of honoring a particular tradition or family member.