For whom are you named/Who are you named after

[ph2004]

What's the difference between "For whom are you named ?" and "Who are you named after ?"

 

[philo2009]

AmE uses 'name smb. for', while BrE uses 'name smb. after'.

 

[ph2004]

AmE uses 'name smb. for', while BrE uses 'name smb. after'.

But the 2 questions have the same meaning ?

 

[corum]

Same.

 

[Johnson_F]

They do indeed have the same meaning, but constructions beginning with the preposition are rather formal and, to some ears, a little stilted.

So, "Who are you named for/after?" will be heard more often than "For/After whom are you named?"