for real, I don't think they have any purpose. They don't even make your name unique. Self-chosen names make much more sense. And if you know multiple persons with that name you could still describe them (like you do when you don't know the surname).
Magdeburg im Fediverse - Machteburch.social ist eine Mastodon-Instanz für Magdeburg und alle, die Magdeburg mögen, oder sich mit Magdeburg verbunden fühlen.
for real, I don't think they have any purpose.
They don't even make your name unique.
Self-chosen names make much more sense.
And if you know multiple persons with that name you could still describe them (like you do when you don't know the surname).