Why is Saddam always referred to by his first name?

Question

I've often wondered - why don't we call him Hussein? We don't talk about Tony or George, do we?

I expect the answer's really obvious - so apologies if I seem a bit thick.

Answer 1

You are not thick my darling. I think its another brilliant question.
Well here is my answer my little cherry pie.
In that part of the world, any famous person is known only by their first name. a bit like Kylie is here. That is their culture so I do always find it strange how Tony Blair calls him Saddam too, but that's Tony for you.
Another possible reason could be that Saddam wanted to portrait a nicer friendlier image of himself, you know, oh look here comes Uncle Saddam to gas us all.
Anyway I really just wanted to answer so I could tell you how much I love you!

Answer 2

Sorry I don't have an answer - there are lots of Saddams as well as Husseins.

But Just wanted to say - That's a great question! Wish there were more like that here!

Answer 3

Saddam is unique, to a point. Hussein is very common. Including the leader of Jordan who died and now his son is King.

Did you ever notice how we call 'murderers' by their first, middle, and last names? John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald etc.

Answer 4

People whom we respect and should be respected we should call Mr. I don't think Mr. Hussein is a respected person, so Saddam is a form of showing lack of respect for him and his regime. Also, how many Saddam's does the public know? It's like saying Elvis, we all know who that is.

Answer 5

Good question. In some ways, it may be for the purposes of differentiating between the different Husseins who are figures in the news who were not at one point tyrannical dictators. But in that case, you'd think they would refer to him by his entire name. I guess it's a pointed disrespect towards him.

Answer 6

In Arab culture, the first name is used. The second name is his father's first name, the third name is his grandfather's first name. To show respect, they say Mr. Saddam. Arab women's names work the same way and they never change it when they marry. Western cultured used to do the same thing. That's how we got the names Johnson (John's son) or Frederickson (Frederick's son).

Answer 7

Hussein is harder to spell or pronounce. That's not the only factor, though.

Saddam rhymes with damn.

When you don't respect someone, you often call him by his first name to deny respect.

Answer 8

Re. 1st answer. If thats the case, then why do we always refer to Hitler as Hitler and not Adolf.

That's your respect arguement blown right out the window!!!!

Added 7/11: 4 thumbs down??? Are some people not understanding me???? I'm only commenting on some of these responses. Some don't make sense to me. All I'm saying is if, by some peoples comments, we use 1st names as a mark of disrespect, then why do we refer to Hitler by his second name. If anyone deserves to be shown a lack of respect then why is he always known as Hitler? Bin Laden is not referred to as Osama?
The argument doesn't stack up, that's all.

I dont have an answer, I'm just casting doubts on some of the answers here

Answer 9

My apologies to Mr. Hussein.

Answer 10

SADDAM - say it loudly that is what he and his people want him to be addressed as sign of respect and love, the iron man who ruled Iraq for over 30 years!