I've been asking friends and acquaintances about fig trees.  I've gotten three "unknowns" so far (including the unique Weeping Fig).  And I've made contacts that have promised a bunch more.
I've been looking to see if any of these figs are identical with known varieties, but failing that, what is the best way to share these figs without adding to the variety confusion? 
In the case of the Weeping Fig, I initially called it Black Weeping Fig - simple description.  Then it seemed that Belleclare's "Weeping Fig" looked to be identical and I started referring to it by their designation - Weeping Fig. 
With my other two unknowns, I gave one the name of it's origin, Caserta (Italy), and the other the name of the (Portuguese) contact who got it for me, Grace.  I'm sure both of these figs have "real" names, and am afraid that giving them aliases is going to be confusing once those names are discovered.
I don't really like numbers; these trees have so much character, it would be like naming my children "1", "2" and "3".  Plus I have trouble remembering which fig is which with numbers - a problem that I don't have with names.  Would using "Unknown: aka Caserta" be too awkward?  "Caserta (Italy) - Unknown"?  Or should I just go with numbers "fignut #2" etc., or numbers and qualifiers "fignut #2, sm. It. white", or numbers and names "fignut #2 - Caserta"?
Any suggestions - comments on what would ultimately be the least confusing solution?

Hi fignut
I think just "aka Caserta" should be OK. Actually "ana Caserta" (for "also named as Caserta" would have been better but "ana" is not in common usage.

Choose a name you like - and as long as you provide the background information, that is about all you can do. Italian contacts tell me that every town has "its" variety, but many of them are the same, just with different names. I don't think we'll solve the fig name issue in our lifetime.

I just use the names they had when IO received them, and add a couple letters to tell me they specific origin. I have about 20 Celestes, so there is Celeste JN, Celeste MS, Celeste GM, etc.

Jon,
Didn't you mentioned a while back that UCD was doing genetic testing on their figs? If so I hope this name-game will be resolved, if not well on its way, during our lifetime. Do you have a contact at Davis that would know and be able to provide results of those tested?
Sue

Sue,

The results are preliminary and not public, yet. It won't solve a lot because none of my trees (ok there were a very small number because I had donated some varieities) have been tested, none of yours, none of anyone else's have been tested, so if we have a fig, we can only compare it to the "standard" trees at USDA via pictures and tasting - but we have to remember that they look and taste different in different climates. Also, having the DNA of their trees doesn't mean they are correctly labeled, only that a tree that they have labeled as "XYZ" yielded this DNA profile. I thinK they found a couple duplicates in their collection, but not a lot a shocking discoveries occured.

Yes but once they finish testing their known plants there will be a DNA database established. I know testing is expensive but being a University I would think we could send samples/scion for growing and testing, adding to the database if it's a 'new to them' variety.
Sue

Fignut,

In other areas of the heirloom edible world, usually if the accepted name is not known, it is given the name of the person or group who have maintained it. For example, Myrtle's Cowpea. Aunt Jean's Pole Bean. Cherokee Trail of Tears Pole Bean (there is also a corn by this name), Cates Family Cutshort Snap Bean. It's also acceptable to name it for the place where it's grown. For example, Carolina Heading Collard, Arkansas Red and White Dent Corn. Or you can name it to reflect an outstanding characteristic of the variety. For example, there is a form of snap bean called annelino because it grows in a "c" shape. There are several form of this bean in yellow, green and purple stripe. I have not yet seen a purple form but I am looking for it. Most all of them have the word "annelino" in the name. The Tobacco Worm bean is called that because the pointed end of the bean resembles the tail end of the tobacco worm. Blue Coco had a purple pod with chocolate-colored seeds. Milk and Cider is so called because of the coloration of the mature beans. There are a whole slew of "greasy beans"--beans mainly from western NC and eastern KY area that have no microhairs on the pods, so are slick and shiny and appear greasy. Most of these are named after the  individuals or families who have maintained them for more than a century. Some are name after the colors of their seeds--White Greasy, Black Greasy, Striped Greasy. Some are named after the time of year when they produce thier crop--Greasy October.

So, there, you have lots of acceptable options.

Elise

Thanks all - consensus seems to be just name 'em.