[adamrmcd]

Canadian here, and I do this too.

Part of the reason is that it's like passively introducing the person, or reminding the listener of the person's name, without the listener needing to ask.

I have a horrible time remembering names, esp. co-workers' spouce/kids names. I appreciate it when they do this.

EDIT: Western Canadian, and Shauna does this too :)

[macinjosh]

To me, it comes off as a passive aggressive neg that I haven't learned their family's names yet or something. Like I owe that to them. Seems a tad self-involved to assume that people care about your personal life in the first place.

[j4yav]

I’m sure you can let them know you prefer only transactional conversations, as OP suggested, and they will stop bothering you with it.