Why are famous historical figures, especially those from wartime, often referred to by their last name instead of their first?

Question

Why are famous historical figures, especially those from wartime, often referred to by their last name instead of their first?

In: 0

Answer 1

Googled “greatest U.S. generals”

The list included:
– George x7
– James x2
– John x2
– Nathan/Nathaniel x2
– Chester
– Robert
– Andrew
– Omar
– Dwight
– Douglas
– Ulysses
– Winfield
– Benedict

You can see the commonality in some names makes them impossible to use for identification.