Free promotions and requests for pardon: what it is like to share a name with a US president

Is there any advantage in sharing a name with a US president? Sometimes it's helpful: read it here.

There is not only one Donald Trump in the United States. There is also no single William J. Clinton.

Many people share names with famous presidents.

Donald Trump, a veteran who lives in Alabama, said that because of his name he often receives free things. William J. Clinton, who goes by Billy, used to live in the Washington, DC area, and would receive interesting correspondence from inmates.

Men with these names who served in the White House will be at the Capitol on Monday to attend the inauguration of Trump, the president-elect. AP spoke to people who share names with presidents to find out what life is like for them.

William J. Clinton, Tennessee resident

“My father is Bill, not the former president, but he is, in fact, the seventh William J., William Clinton, in our genealogy. I am the eighth. My nine-month-old is my ninth… There are definitely a lot of double-takes, that's for sure. And it's something everyday. “I always have in mind someone saying, 'Is your name really Bill Clinton?'”

“Some of the craziest things that have happened because of my name, and especially because I had basically an address that was in the D.C. area my entire life, was getting letters from federal inmates asking for presidential pardons addressed to me, like accident,” he added.

Donald Trump, a veteran who lives in Clanton, Alabama

“There have been many times where I have been upgraded, for example, to first class. There have been times when I made hotel reservations and they gave me the penthouse for free. Well, thank you very much. I’ve had some free meals at restaurants.”

Abraham Lincoln, Washington State banking professional

“I have discovered that it is a blessing and a curse. It is very good to break the ice, people are amazed and that makes them talk. Also, you know, when first impressions matter, people aren't going to forget my name, so they're usually not going to forget the first impression. So I always have to do my best when I meet people.”

“The reservations are usually in (his wife's) name because they usually say 'No, seriously, what's your name?' or 'You're kidding.'”

Grover Cleveland, fire chief in Cresco, Pennsylvania

“When I was young, everyone was always very surprised that I had the exact same name” as a president.

“If I give a credit card in a store where someone might not know me, they call the manager and say it's fraud or something. But no, here is my ID.”