Why are there so many ‘First’ banks, churches, etc

Question

You’ll see banks called “First National Bank of X”, or the “First Baptist Church of Y”. A bank or church, with the exact same name, will also exist somewhere else. I live and have traveled all over the US (specifically the Bible Belt) for years now and I’ve noticed this trend.

What gives? Maybe the answer is really obvious and I can’t put it together.

Edit: How come you almost never see the “Second National Bank/Church of X/Y”?

In: Other

Answer 1

The church my dad went to growing up was first Baptist church, bc it was the first Baptist church in town.

At some point in its history, the congregation split and start Second Baptist church, bc it was the 2nd Baptist church in town. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same situation elsewhere.