Patronymics differ globally; some cultures use the father's full name, others just a portion. In Russia, a man named Ivan with a father named Nikolai might be called Ivan Nikolayevich.
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Gender Specific
Some languages have distinct patronymic endings for men and women. Icelandic names add -son for males and -dóttir for females, like Sigurdsson or Sigurdsdóttir.
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Heritage Reflection
Patronymics can reflect historical naming customs, showing lineage and heritage. The surname 'O'Connor' suggests Irish ancestry, meaning 'descendant of Conchobhar.'