Originally Posted by TSteven (Post 1625181)

As I understand it, John Doe (the son that was skipped) would be able to pick up the tradition and name his son Jim Doe IV. The reason is that John Doe's son is the forth *Jim* Doe in the family.

And if John Doe decided to name his son John Doe after himself, then his son would be a junior/2nd. And for what it is worth, generally speaking "Junior" is used for a son within the same direct lineage, while 2nd/II is used when a generation is either skipped or it is not a direct lineage.

Here are a few possible scenarios that I am personally acquainted with either via my family and/or friends.

Scenario One - direct lineage
Generation 1: John Doe (farther)
Generation 2: John Doe, Junior (son of John Doe) ------ Frank Doe (brother of John Doe, Junior and son of John Doe)
Generation 3: John Doe, III (son of John Doe, Junior)
Generation 4: John Doe, IV (son of John Doe III)

Scenario Two - Son has no male offspring - indirect lineage
Generation 1: John Doe (farther)
Generation 2: John Doe, Junior (son of John Doe) [no sons] ------ Frank Doe (brother of John Doe, Junior and son of John Doe)
Generation 3: John Doe, III (son of Frank Doe)
Generation 4: John Doe, IV (son of John Doe, III)

Scenario Three - Name skips a generation, but also direct lineage (with a twist)
Generation 1: John Doe (farther)
Generation 2: Frank Doe (son of John Doe) [name skipped]
Generation 3: John Doe, II (son of Frank Doe) *and* Frank Doe, Junior (brother of John Doe II, son of Frank Doe)
Generation 4: John Doe, III (son of John Doe II and cousin of Frank Doe, III) *and* Frank Doe, III (son of Frank Doe, Junior and cousin of John Doe, III)