The Culture of Spanish Names El Nombre en Español The Culture of Spanish Names

So many names! Most people in Spanish-speaking countries have 4 names: Nombres – Given names 1) First given name 2) Second given name Apellidos – Family names (surnames) 3) Father’s first surname 4) Mother’s first surname In Spanish, you call people by both of their surnames or their first surname only. For example, famous author Gabriel García Márquez’s would be Señor García Márquez or Señor García, but NEVER “Señor Márquez.”

Marriage In most countries, women keep their same last name when they get married. A woman may also keep her full name and add “de” and her husband’s name Diego José García Reyes marries Carla María Rodriguez Calderón. Carla could become Carla María Rodríguez Calderón de García.

So what would my name be? A child’s last name would is the father’s first surname followed by the mother’s first surname. Father: Diego José García Reyes Mother: Carla María Rodriguez Calderón Son: Manuel Ramón García Rodríguez So your last name would be your father’s last name followed by your mother’s last name (maiden name). Heather Lynn VanWagner Comperiati When you get married, you might add your husband’s last name. Heather Lynn VanWagner Comperiati de Sherrow

Most Common Names First names: Last names: Girls: María (after Mary, mother of Jesus), Laura, Cristina, Marta, Paula, Sara, Ana, Raquel, Mónica Boys: José (after Joseph, father of Jesus), David, Alejandro, Daniel, Pablo, Javier, Carlos, Jorge Last names: García Rodríguez Martínez López Hernández

Common Nicknames (Boys) Alejandro = Ale, Álex, Alejo, Jandro, Jano, Sandro Antonio = Antón, Tonio, Toni, Tono, Tonino, Toño, Toñin, Antoñito, Antuco, Antuquito Carlos = Car, Carlito, Carlitos, Carlo, Calín, Carlines, Litos, Charli, Chepe Francisco = Fran, Paco, Sisco, Cisco, Chisco, Curro, Quico, Kiko, Frasco, Frascuelo, Pacho, Pancho, Panchito Jesús = Jesu, Chus, Chucho, Chuchi, Chuy, Suso, Chuyito Juan Carlos = Juanca, Juancar, Juanqui Manuel = Manu, Manolo, Lolo, Manolito, Meño, Manuelito, Manolillo, Lito, Lillo, Mani, Manué, Manolín, Manel, Mel, NelRamón = Mon, Moncho, Monchi, Ramoncito, Pocholo

Common Nicknames (Girls) Guadalupe = Lupe (female & male), Guada, Pupe, Lupita, Lupilla (female) & Lupito, Lupillo (male), Pita (female) Alejandra = Sandra, Ale, Álex, Aleja, Jandra, Jana Gabriela = Gaba, Gabi, Gaby Isabel = Bela, Chabela, Chavela, Chavelita, Chabelita, Isa María del Carmen = Maricarmen, Mamen, Mai, Maica, Mayca, Mayka, Mari Alicia = Ali, LichaFrancisca = Fran, Paqui, Paquita, Sisca, Cisca, Pancha, Curra, Paca, Quica, Panchita, Panchi

Full Names of Famous Hispanics Shakira = Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll J.Lo = Jennifer Lynn Muñiz López Ricky Martin = Enrique Martín Morales Enrique Iglesias = Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler Manny Ramírez = Manuel Arístides Ramírez Onelcida David Ortíz = David Américo Ortiz Arias Sofía Vergara = Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara