# What is the term for a shared name (like Henry V, Henry VIII)?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-shared-name-like-henry-v-henry-viii/190963>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 25, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-shared-name-like-henry-v-henry-viii/190963 "2003-07-25T21:17:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-shared-name-like-henry-v-henry-viii/190963/1 "2003-07-25T21:17:31Z")

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Trying to do a search for a column, but need the name of this term.

Thanks in advance

-NCB-

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**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-shared-name-like-henry-v-henry-viii/190963/2 "2003-07-25T21:45:51Z")

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In a monarchical context, that’s called the “regnal name”, with the number being the “regnal number”.

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**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-shared-name-like-henry-v-henry-viii/190963/3 "2003-07-25T22:07:33Z")

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Wow. That search word brought up some interesting threads! Thanks, **jklann**.

What is it called if not a royal family? I have a friend who is a III and he isn’t even close to royal.