OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

The English word “family” comes from the Latin word “familia,” which meant everyone living in a household. In China, the family name comes first when you write your name. In Ghana, many children are named after the day of the week they were born. In some parts of the world, a family might include just a parent and a child. In other places, thirty or more relatives may share one home!

• The average family size in the United States is about 3.1 people, but in many African and Asian countries, families are much larger.
• In Iceland, everyone uses their father’s first name as their last name, so brothers and sisters can have different last names!
• The word “family” in sign language is made by forming the letter F with both hands and moving them in a circle.