Ancient Spanish names. Spanish surnames

Spanish names

According to Spanish law, a person can have no more than two names and two surnames recorded in his documents. In fact, at baptism you can give as many names as you like, depending on the wishes of the parents. Usually the eldest son is given the first name in honor of his father, and the second in honor of his paternal grandfather, and eldest daughter- mother's name and maternal grandmother's name.

The main source of names in Spain is the Catholic calendar. There are few unusual names because Spanish registration laws are quite strict: not long ago, the Spanish authorities denied citizenship to a Colombian woman named Darling Velez on the grounds that her name was too unusual and it was impossible to determine the gender of its bearer.

IN Latin America there are no such restrictions, and the parents’ imagination can work unhindered. Sometimes this fantasy gives rise to absolutely marvelous combinations, like Taj Mahal Sanchez, Elvis Presley Gomez Morillo and even Hitler Eufemio Mayor. And the famous Venezuelan terrorist Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez, nicknamed Carlos the Jackal, had two brothers whose names were... that's right, Vladimir and Lenin Ramirez Sanchez. No wonder: Papa Ramirez was a convinced communist and decided to perpetuate the name of his idol, so to speak, in triplicate. Another unlucky Venezuelan received the pompous name Mao Brezner Pino Delgado, and “Brezner” in in this case turned out to be an unsuccessful attempt to reproduce the Brezhnev surname. ( What's in a name? In Venezuela, just about anything)

However, these are all rare exceptions. In the Spanish-speaking world, the hit parade of names has been headed by the familiar classic names: Juan, Diego, Carmen, Daniel, Camila, Alejandro and, of course, Maria.

Not just Maria

For obvious reasons, this name is one of the most common in Spain. It is given to both girls and boys (the latter as a supplement to male name: Jose Maria, Fernando Maria). However, many Spanish and Latin American Marias are not just Marias: their documents may include Maria de los Mercedes, Maria de los Angeles, Maria de los Dolores. In everyday life they are usually called Mercedes, Dolores, Angeles, which in literal translation sounds quite strange to our ears: “mercy” (exactly so, in plural), "angels", "sorrows". In fact, these names come from various Catholic titles for Our Lady: Maria de las Mercedes(Mary the Merciful, lit. "Mary of Mercies"), Maria de los Dolores(Mary of Sorrows, lit. "Mary of Sorrows"), Maria la Reina de los Angeles(Mary is the queen of angels).

Here short list similar names:

Maria del Amparo - Mary the Patroness, Mary the Protector
Maria de la Anunciación - Mary of the Annunciation (from Spanish Anunciación - Annunciation)
Maria de la Luz - Light Maria (lit. "Mary of Light")
Maria de los Milagros - Mary the Wonderworker (lit. "Mary of Miracles")
Maria de la Piedad - Mary the Honored
Maria del Socorro - Maria the Helper
Maria de la Cruz - Mary of the Cross
Maria del Consuelo- Mary the Comforter
Maria de la Salud - letters "Mary of Health"
Maria del Pilar - lit. "Pillar Maria" (according to legend, when the Apostle James preached in Zaragoza, over a column standing on the banks of the Ebro River, he saw the image of the Virgin Mary. Subsequently, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Pilar was built on this site).

IN real life the owners of these pious names are called simply Amparo, Anunciación, Luz, Milagros, Piedad, Socorro, Cruz, Consuelo, Salud and Pilar.

In addition, children are often given names in honor of revered icons or statues of the Mother of God. For example, the famous opera singer Montserrat Caballe (who, by the way, is actually not Spanish, but Catalan) is actually called Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballe y Folk, and was named after Mary of Montserrat, revered in Catalonia - the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary from the monastery on Mount Montserrat .

Pancho, Chucho and Conchita

The Spaniards are great masters of education diminutives. The easiest way is to add diminutive suffixes to the name: Gabriel - Gabrielito, Fidel - Fidelito, Juana - Juanita. If the name is too long, then the main part is “torn off” from it, and then the same suffix is ​​used: Concepcion - Conchita, Guadalupe - Lupita and Lupilla. Sometimes truncated forms of names are used: Gabriel - Gabi or Gabri, Teresa - Tere.

However, not everything is so simple. Sometimes it is completely impossible to recognize the connection between a diminutive and a full name by ear: for example, little Francisco at home may be called Pancho, Paco or Curro, Eduardo - Lalo, Alfonso - Honcho, Anunciación - Chon or Chonita, Jesus - Chucho, Chuy or Chus. The difference between the full and diminutive forms, as we see, is huge (however, foreigners also cannot understand why we call Alexander Shurik: in order to reproduce the series Alexander-Alexasha-Sasha-Sashura-Shura in your mind, you need to know the Russian language too well).

The situation is complicated by the fact that different names may have the same diminutives: Lencho - Florencio and Lorenzo, Chicho - Salvador and Narciso, Chelo - Angeles and Consuelo ( female names), as well as Celio and Marcelo (male).

Diminutive forms are formed not only from individual names, but also from double ones:

Jose Maria - Chema
Jose Angel - Chanhel
Juan Carlos - Juanca, Juancar, Juanqui
Maria Luisa - Marisa
Jesus Ramon - Jesusra, Hera, Herra, Chuimoncho, Chuimonchi

Sometimes such a merging of names gives a rather shocking result: for example, Lucia Fernanda can be called ... Lucifer ( Lucifer, in Spanish - Lucifer).

Diminutives are used quite rarely as passport names in Spain - primarily because until relatively recently this was prohibited by Spanish law. Now the only limitation is the “decent” sound of the diminutive form, as well as the ability to determine the gender of its bearer by name.

Boy or girl?

Once upon a time, at the dawn of the popularity of soap operas, the Venezuelan series “Cruel World” was broadcast on our television, the name main character which our viewers initially heard as Rosaria. A little later it turned out that her name is Rosari O , and the diminutive is Charita. Then, again, it turned out that it was not Charita, but Charito, but our viewers, who had already gotten used to Conchitas and Esthersites, continued to call her “in the feminine gender” - Charita. That’s what they said, retelling each other the next episode: “And Jose Manuel kissed Charita yesterday...”.

In fact, the soap character's name was really Rosario, not Rosaria. Word rosario V Spanish masculine and denotes the rosary with which a special prayer is read to the Virgin Mary, which is also called Rosario(in Russian - Rosary). Catholics even have a separate holiday of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary (Spanish. Maria del Rosario).

In Spanish-speaking countries, the name Rosario is very popular, given to both girls and boys, but traditionally it is considered feminine. And this is not the only female name that is “hermaphrodite”: the names Amparo, Socorro, Pilar, Sol, Consuelo are derived from Spanish words amparo, socorro, pilar, sol, consuelo grammatically related to masculine. And, accordingly, the diminutive forms of these names are also formed in a “masculine” way: Charito, Charo, Coyo, Consuelito, Chelo (although there are also “feminine” forms: Consuelita, Pilarita).

Most common spanish names

10 most common names in Spain (whole population, 2008)

The most popular names among newborns (Spain, 2008)

The most popular names among newborns (Mexico, 2009)

Señor Garcia or Señor Lorca?

And finally, let's talk a little about Spanish surnames. Spaniards have two surnames: paternal and maternal. Moreover, the father's surname ( apellido paterno) is placed before the mother ( apellido materno): Federico Garcia Lorca (father - Federico Garcia Rodriguez, mother - Vicenta Lorca Romero). When officially addressed, only the paternal surname is used: accordingly, the Spanish poet was called Senor Garcia by his contemporaries, and not Senor Lorca.

(However, there are exceptions to this rule: Pablo Picasso ( full name- Pablo Ruiz Picasso) became known not under his father's surname Ruiz, but under his mother's name - Picasso. The fact is that there are no fewer Ruizs in Spain than there are Ivanovs in Russia, but the surname Picasso is much less common and sounds much more “individual”).

Usually only the father's main surname is inherited, but in some cases (usually noble families, as well as among the Basques), children are also given the maternal surnames of their parents (in fact, the surnames of grandmothers on both sides).

In some localities, there is a tradition of adding to the surname the name of the locality where the bearer of this surname or his ancestors were born. For example, if a person’s name is Juan Antonio Gomez Gonzalez de San Jose, then in this case Gomez is the first, paternal surname, and Gonzalez de San Jose is the second, maternal surname. In this case, the particle “de” is not an indicator noble origin, as in France, but simply means that the ancestors of our Juan Antonio's mother came from a town or village called San José.

In Spain, when baptizing, it is customary to give several names, although according to the law, it is allowed to enter no more than two names and two surnames into documents. When choosing, they are most often guided by the calendar of Catholic saints, which is strictly controlled even at the legislative level. A person with an unusual name may not be accepted into the state at all. But the classic ones, like Maria, Camilla and Carmen, are constantly leading in Spanish lists popular names.

Roots of Spanish names

Typically, a Spanish woman has one given name and two surnames (father and mother). In noble families, children are given several surnames, which is why many famous Spaniards have very long names. The eldest daughter is named after her mother and grandmother. Often girls are called by the names with which their godparents or priest christened them. In everyday life they use one or two names.

Since Spaniards often take names from the Bible, many of them have Hebrew and Aramaic roots. The names Eva (from Eve) and Maria (from the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ) are very popular. Popular biblical names: Ana, Magdalena, Isabel, Marta. Historians have found that Spanish names are also borrowed from Greek, Germanic, Roman and Arabic. From Greece and Rome the Spaniards took Helena, Catalina, Veronica, Paulina and Barbara. Spanish names with Germanic roots: Erika, Matilda, Luisa, Carolina and Frida.

Spanish names and their meaning in Catholicism

The Spaniards love epithets and the same surnames. For example, the name Mercedes means “mercy” and Dolores “angel”. Some surnames are derived from various titles. So Dona, Señorita and Señora mean “your grace.”

Both in Orthodox Christianity and in Catholic Christianity, it is customary to baptize children and give the name of the saint who is revered on this day. And since Spain is a Catholic country, this tradition is strictly adhered to. Often girls are named after icons and statues, but one of the most revered is the Mother of God. Also revered is the statue of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, after whom the famous opera singer Montserrat Caballe was named.

Abbreviation of Spanish names

Since Spanish names are often very long, people have learned to skillfully shorten them. The most popular and in a simple way adding or subtracting suffixes is considered to form a shortened form. Guadalupe will become Lupita, and the woman Teresa will be called Tere. There are also completely incomprehensible abbreviations: Jesus can be called Chucho, and Francis can be called Paquita, Kika or Curra. However, such confusion also occurs in other countries. For example, it is difficult to associate the names Robert and Bob or Alexander and Shurik.

Diminutive forms are also formed from suffixes. So Gabriel turns into Gabrielita, and Juana into Juanita. Another problem in Spain is that different names may have the same diminutive forms. Those with the names Acheles and Consuelo can be called Chelo. Also pet names are created from two: Maria and Luis form Marisa, and the combination of Lucia and Fernanda sounds like a wild Lucifer, which is known to be the name of the devil.

In Spain, it is very important that a person’s gender can be determined by their passport name, so permission to include abbreviated and diminutive forms in documents is a recent development.

Among Spanish names, as in other countries, there are genderless names. These are Amparo, Sol, Socorro, Consuelo, Pilar. But a big problem– sound and endings. For Russians, it is difficult to perceive a female name with a masculine ending. So, for example, Rosario, quite a feminine name with the diminutive Charito.

The most popular Spanish names:

1. Maria
2. Carmen
3. Isabel
4. Dolores
5. Pilar
6. Joseph
7. Teresa
8. Antonia
9. Lucia
10. Paula
11. Carla
12. Caludia
13. Laura
14. Martha
15. Alba
16. Valeria
17. Ximena
18. Maria Guadalupe
19. Daniela
20. Mariana
21. Andrey
22. Maria Josa
23. Sofia

Most Spanish names sound strange to us. AND main feature is that many names consist of two. In famous Spanish TV series you could hear about Maria Lourdes or Maria Magdalena. The tradition did not originate empty space. The first name corresponds to the patron, and the second is given to choose from in order to characterize the owner. It is the second name that a person is usually called in everyday life, but the official one remains on paper.

Names by character

• good Agatha and Agotha;
• consoling Consuela;
• strong Adriana;
• good Benigna;
• noble Adeline and Adelaide;
• graceful Aina;
• militant Louise;
• noble Alicia;
• Princess Zerita;
• pure Blanca and Ariadne;
• regal Marcela;
• devoted Fidelia;
• beloved Adoración;
• assistant Ophelia;
• invaluable Antonia;
• protector Aleyandra;
• brave Bernardita;
• victorious Veronica;
• pleasant Grekila;
• listening to Jimena;
• light Luz;
• famous Clarice;
• blessed Macerena;
• Lady Martha;
• Martyr Martirayo;
• merciful Piedad;
• heavenly Melestina;
• the admiring Mareia;
• flawless Imaculeda;
• chaste Ines;
• free Paka;
• guardian of Custodia;
• friendly Novia;
• stalwart Consuela;
• wonderful Milegros;
• cardiac Corazon;
• prosperous Cressincia;
• rich Odelis;
• Esperanza, who embodies hope;
• Mutual Cruzita
• guardian Camila;
• bright Leocadia;
• advisor Monica;
• true Elvira;
• thin Erkilia;
• desired Loida;
• pleasant Nochema;
• courteous Olalla and Eufemia;
• constant Pippi;
• stone Petrona;
• struggling Ernesta;
• devout Pia;
• stalwart Pilar;
• crowned Estefania;
• old-fashioned Priscilla;
• wise Raymunda;
• treacherous Rebecca;
• girl Nina;
• Saint Sens;
• homemade Enricueta;
• lonely Soledad;
• lucky Felicidad;
• devoted Fedilia;
• comforted Chelo;
• live Evita;
• cautious Prudencia.

Meaning from words:

• Kamela (vineyard);
• Alba (dawn);
• Rosario (rosary);
• Belen (house of bread);
• Domina (belongs to the master);
• Lolita (sadness);
• Elvira (from a foreign country);
• Renata (resurrection);
• Almudena (city);
• Idoya (reservoir);
• Paloma (dove);
• Rosita (rose);
• Justina (hyacinth flower);
• Areseli (altar of heaven);
• Berengaria (bear spear);
• Debord (bee);
• Susana (lily);
• Deiphilia (daughter of God);
• Dulce (candy);
• Angelita (little angel);
• Pearl (pearl);
• Candelaria (candle);
• Niv (snow);
• Reyna (queen);
• Charo (rosary);
• Esmeralda (emerald).

What they wish for the child:

• high position Alte;
• Beatrice's travels;
• the authorities of Valencia;
• Leticia's happiness;
• love to Marita and Amédé;
• faith Manuela;
• Rebecca's attractiveness;
• Blessings Benita;
• sweet life of Adonsia;
• Bibiene's cheerfulness;
• royal life of Basilia;
• Have a bright journey to Elena;
• gold of Nubia;
• salvation of Jesus;
• health Salute.

At the end of the last century, Spanish names in literally poured into our lives from television screens. The craze for Mexican and Brazilian TV series has led to Russia having its own Luis-Alberto, Dolores and, of course, “just Maria.” It’s no wonder that some Russian parents liked exotic names, as if filled with the hot sun. Another question is how such a Luis Alberto lives among the Pets and Fedorovs.

Naming traditions in Spain.

But in Spain itself the main source of names is the Catholic calendar. There are very few unusual names; they are prohibited by law. If at baptism a baby can be given any number of names, then no more than two should be recorded in the documents. Usually the eldest son is given the first name in honor of his father, and the second in honor of his paternal grandfather. The eldest daughter takes the names of her mother and maternal grandmother. Names must be gender specific.

"Special" Maria.

From all of us spanish names the name Maria is different With special meaning. Firstly, this is one of the most common names in Spain. And secondly, both women and men wear it. For boys, this name is added to the male name - Jose Maria, Fernando Maria. Many Spanish Marys have one of the titles of Our Lady - Maria de los Mercedes (Mary of Mercy), Maria de los Angeles (Mary Queen of Angels). In everyday life they are called Mercedes and Angeles.

Catholic Spanish names.

Since the bulk spanish names are Catholic, then story their origin associated with Hebrew, Greek and Roman names. Miguel (Michael), Jose (Joseph), Juan (John), Jorge (George), Catalina (Catherine), Marta (Martha), Isabel (Elizabeth). Often there are Germanic names that complete the list of male Spanish names - Alberto, Alfonso, Carlos, Ferdinando, Enrique (Henry).

"Democratic" names of Latin America.

In Latin America, Spanish-speaking parents do not limit their imagination when choosing a name for their child. And then absolutely “luxurious” names appear - Taj Mahal Sanchez, Hitler Eufemio Mayora. It is curious that the famous Venezuelan terrorist Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez had brothers. Naturally, Vladimir and Lenin Ramirez Sanchez.

Diminutive names.

Emotional Spaniards love to come up with diminutive names. Usually a diminutive suffix is ​​added to the name - Gabriel-Gabrielito, Juana-Juanita. Sometimes used short forms– Guadalupe Lupita, Teresa Tere. Diminutive meaning some spanish names makes these forms very different from the full name. For example, Francisco can be called Paco, Pancho or Curro, Jesus (Jesus) - Chucho, Chuy or Chus, Jose Maria - Chema. And Lucia Fernanda was even “baptized” Lucifer (Lucifer).

In the 21st century it has become popular to give a child unusual name. Some parents name their baby after famous people, others prefer the names of the saints on whose day the child was born, others study the genealogy to find an ancient forgotten name. But the most popular trend is to select foreign name. Spanish male names are pleasant-sounding and evoke a slight warm association with hot countries. Thanks to these qualities, they are gaining particular popularity.

History of the origin of Spanish names

Most Spanish names have Aramaic and Jewish origin. You can also notice a hint of Greek, Germanic and Arabic roots.

Mostly Spaniards are Catholics, so children's names are chosen in accordance with the dates of Catholic saints. In this case, you need to choose a name that is not too unusual - registration legislation in Spain is very strict on this issue.

In addition, the child’s name can be officially written in a truncated form. For example, Francisco becomes Pancho.

Interesting. Spanish law has a rule: a person’s documents must contain no more than two names and surnames. The fact is that when baptizing the first-born, the first name is given by the father, and the second by the paternal grandfather.

And yet, most often, children are given one name and two surnames - paternal and maternal.

List of beautiful Spanish names for boys

We offer an introduction to beautiful Spanish names that are again gaining popularity both among the Spaniards themselves and in other countries:

• Antonio. A name similar to the one familiar in our area is Anton, which means “flower”.
• Angel. The meaning of the name is translated as “angel”.
• Jose. Given name is a shortened form of Joseph, derived from Yosif. Its meaning is “The Lord increases.”
• Manuel. Derived from the Hebrew version Emmanueot - “God with us.”
• Miguel. Another name that acquired a Spanish form from Michael - “like God.”
• Louis. In fact this name has French origin, but the Spaniards really liked it. The meaning of this name is “light”.
• Javier. Translated as "house".
• Juan. One of the most common, it does not lose popularity today. The meaning of the name is “mercy of the Lord.”
• Enrique means “chief”.

Yes, you can give it to the boy double name, consisting of the name of the Guardian Angel and the name of Spanish origin, the meaning of which was liked by the parents. It is important that the names are combined in the general sound with the surname and patronymic.

Rare male names of Spanish origin

Below is a list of male names with interesting meaning and unusual pronunciation.

However, they are rarely found today even in their homeland:

• Alberto – noble;
• Aurelio – golden;
• Aldric – wise ruler;
• Benito - blessed;
• Berenguer is strong and brave, like a bear;
• Gaspar – teacher;
• Horatio - excellent vision;
• Desi – desired;
• Gilberto – light;
• Sal (from the original Salvador) – savior;
• Sergio - servant;
• Teobaldo – brave man;
• Fausto is a lucky young man.

These names are not the most popular, as young parents are increasingly calling their sons modern, easy to pronounce. Not all of them have true Spanish roots. Some modify the names of the Slavs, English and French.

Fact. Today in Spain it is very popular to name your child after famous successful athletes.

The most common Spanish names and their meanings

The most common names in Spain are:

• Juan – similar to Russian Ivan, meaning “mercy of the Lord”;
• Diego – teaching;
• Alejandro - it’s not difficult to guess that in the Russian version it will be Alexander - the defender;
• Jose - similar to the Russian Osip, translated as “increasing”;
• Miguel – “like the Lord”;
• Daniel – “God is my judge”;
• Jorge – similar to our name George, translated means “farmer”;
• Carlos - a derivative of Karl, translated means “man, man”;
• Thomas – “double”, similar to the Russian name Foma.

In the older generation, today you can most often meet Juan, Jose and Diego. And newborns are now increasingly given names with a European slant - Daniel, Alejandro, Carlos and Miguel. Thomases and Daniels are no less common. It is worth noting that such names are popular not only in Spain, but also in other European countries.

Ancient and forgotten names

• Kayo – “rejoice.” The most bright line- insight. Men with this name strive for spiritual balance, which is quite difficult to achieve with an impulsive character. The ability to control oneself largely depends on how Kayo is spiritually formed in childhood. Having matured, a man forms his life goal and confidently moves towards her.
• Refa - “God lives.” Distinctive feature– responsibility manifests itself from childhood. Refa appreciates honesty in others. They have the makings of being a leader and leading people. There are abilities for creative professions.
• Aleyo. They are successful in any business, very inventive and insightful. They make friends easily and infect others with their cheerfulness. They strive for comfort in everything that surrounds them.
• Sandelayo - “true wolf”. Wise and observant, with a calculating mindset. These qualities allow the bearer of the name to be a self-sufficient, successful representative of the stronger sex. Capable of romantic actions, but manifest themselves in this direction only if wonderful muse struck to the heart. They don’t waste time on trifles; they prefer to spend their time productively.
• Pascal (Pascual) – “child of Easter”. Men with this name are very scrupulous and careful, natural perfectionists. Shrewd and stubborn in their desires with early years. They are distinguished by their hard work, and due to the precise, ideal performance of their duties they are able to gradually move up the career ladder.

How to choose a name for a boy depending on his date of birth

How to choose modern name for a boy, given his date of birth? This question is often asked to numerologists today. Only a correctly chosen name, taking into account the number of the date of birth and the name, will help to balance the character traits, abilities of the baby and his future goals from birth.

Thanks to the right choice name, the talents that are given to a new person on a certain birthday will be strengthened and consolidated.

If the numbers of the name and date of birth diverge, the child will not be able to follow his life path, destined by the Universe:

1. In the case when the number of the name is less than the number of the date of birth, the abilities and character of the child in the future will be directed against his true desires. A person will devote his life to realizing himself in one direction or another, towards which he exhibits more intellectual abilities. But he will be unhappy because he will not be able to follow his true desires and goals.
2. When the name number more number date of birth, a person devotes his life to pursuing dreams, but his character and abilities will not allow him to achieve a high goal.

Only equal numbers They allow you to develop a harmonious character and quickly decide on what you love for life. The combination of internal harmony and certain, clear desires makes it possible to develop in the chosen direction and achieve success.

Spanish names consist of three main elements: a personal name (Spanish. nombre ) and two surnames (Spanish. apellido ). A feature of the structure of a Spanish name is the presence of two surnames at once: father (Spanish. apellido paterno or primer apellido ) and mother (Spanish) apellido materno or segundo apellido ). The choice of personal names in Spanish-speaking countries is usually determined by church and family traditions.

From Wikipedia:

In addition to the name received from their parents, Spaniards have names received at baptism from the baptizing priest and godparents. Most of the names received by the Spaniard are not used, but only one or two names are used, e.g. the current king of Spain five personal names- Juan Carlos Alfonso Maria Victor (Spanish) Juan Carlos Alfonso Ví ctor Marí a ), but all his life he uses only two of them - Juan Carlos.

According to Spanish law, a person can have no more than two names and two surnames recorded in his documents. In fact, at baptism you can give as many names as you like, depending on the wishes of the parents. Usually the eldest son is given the first name in honor of his father and the second in honor of his paternal grandfather, and the eldest daughter is given the name of her mother and the name of her maternal grandmother.

The main source of names in Spain is the Catholic calendar. There are few unusual names, because Spanish registration legislation is quite harsh: not so long ago, the Spanish authorities refused to obtain citizenship to a certain Colombian woman named Darling Velez on the grounds that her name is too unusual and it is impossible to determine the gender of its bearer from it.

In Latin America there are no such restrictions, and parents' imagination can work unhindered. Sometimes this fantasy gives rise to absolutely marvelous combinations, like Taj Mahal Sanchez, Elvis Presley Gomez Morillo and even Hitler Eufemio Mayora. And the famous Venezuelan terrorist Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez nicknamed Carlos the Jackal there were two brothers whose names were... Vladimir and Lenin Ramirez Sanchez.

However, these are all rare exceptions. In the Spanish-speaking world, the hit parade of names has been headed by familiar classic names for years: Juan, Diego, Carmen, Daniel, Camila, Alejandro and, of course, Maria.

Simply Maria.

For obvious reasons, this name is one of the most common in Spain. It is given to both girls and boys (the latter as an appendage to a man’s name: Jose Maria, Fernando Maria). However, many Spanish and Latin American Marys are not just Marys: their documents may include Maria de los Mercedes, Maria de los Angeles, Maria de los Dolores. In everyday life they are usually called Mercedes, Dolores, Angeles, which in literal translation sounds quite strange to our ears: “mercies” (that’s right, in the plural), “angels”, “sorrows”. In fact, these names come from various Catholic titles for Our Lady: Marí a de las Mercedes(Mary the Merciful, lit. “Mary of Mercies”), Marí a de los Dolores(Mary of Sorrows, lit. “Mary of Sorrows”), Marí a la Reina de los Á ngeles(Mary is the queen of angels).

In addition, children are often given names in honor of revered icons or statues of the Mother of God. For example, the famous opera singer Montserrat Caballe(who turns out to be Catalan, upon closer inspection of the name) is actually called Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballe y Folk, and named it in honor of Mary of Montserrat, revered in Catalonia - the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary from the monastery on Mount Montserrat.

Pancho, Honcho and Lupita.

The Spaniards are great masters at forming diminutive names. The easiest way is to add to the name diminutive suffixes: Gabriel - Gabrier lito, Fidel - Fide lito, Juana - Juan ita. If the name is too long, then the main part is “torn off” from it, and then the same suffix is ​​used: Concepcion - Conchita, Guadalupe - Lupita and Lupilla. Sometimes truncated forms of names are used: Gabriel - Gabi or Gabri, Teresa - Tere. My beloved Penelope Cruz is simply called by my loved ones "Pe."

However, not everything is so simple. Sometimes it is generally impossible to recognize the connection between a diminutive and a full name by ear: for example, little Francisco may be called at home Pancho, Paco or Curro, Eduardo - Lalo, Alfonso - Honcho, Anunciación - Chon or Chonita, Jesus - Chucho, Chuy or Chus. The situation is complicated by the fact that different names can have the same diminutives: Lencho - Florencio and Lorenzo, Chicho - Salvador and Narciso, Chelo - Angeles and Consuelo (female names), as well as Celio and Marcelo (male names).

Diminutive forms are formed not only from individual names, but also from double ones:

Jose Maria - Chema
Jose Angel - Chanhel
Juan Carlos - Juanca, Juancar, Juanqui
Maria Luisa - Marisa
Jesus Ramon - Jesusra, Hera, Herra, Chuymoncho, Chuymonchi

Man or woman?

Once upon a time, at the dawn of the popularity of soap operas, the Venezuelan series “Cruel World” was broadcast on our television, the name of the main character of which our viewers initially heard as Rosaria. A little later it turned out that her name is Rosari O , and the diminutive is Charita. Then again it turned out that it was not Charita, but Charit O, but our viewers, who had already become accustomed to Conchitas and Esthersites, continued to call her “in the feminine gender” - Charita. That’s what they said, retelling the next episode to each other: “And Jose Manuel kissed Charita yesterday...”.

In fact, the soap character's real name was Rosario, not Rosaria. Word rosario in spanish language masculine and means rosary, according to which a special prayer is read to the Virgin Mary, which is also called Rosario(in Russian - Rosary). Catholics even have a separate holiday of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary (Spanish. Maria del Rosario).

In Spanish-speaking countries, the name Rosario is very popular, given to both girls and boys, but traditionally it is considered feminine. And that's not the only thing female name - "hermaphrodite": names Amparo, Socorro, Pilar, Sol, Consuelo derived from Spanish words amparo, socorro, pilar, sol, consuelo grammatically masculine. And, accordingly, the diminutive forms of these names are also formed in a “masculine” way: Charito, Charo, Coyo, Consuelito, Chelo (although there are also “feminine” forms: Consuelita, Pilarita).

The most common Spanish names.

10 most common names in Spain (whole population, 2008)

Features of the Spanish Surname.

And finally, let's talk a little about Spanish surnames. Spaniards have two surnames: paternal and maternal. Moreover, as already mentioned, the father's surname ( apellido paterno ) is placed before the mother ( apellido materno ): Federico Garcia Lorca (father - Federico Garcia Rodriguez, mother - Vicenta Lorca Romero). At In official address only the father's surname is used: Accordingly, contemporaries called the Spanish poet Señor Garcia, not Señor Lorca.

True, there are exceptions to this rule: Pablo Picasso(full name - Pablo Ruiz Picasso) became known not under his father's surname Ruiz, but under his mother's surname - Picasso. The fact is that there are no fewer Ruizs in Spain than there are Ivanovs in Russia, but the surname Picasso is much less common and sounds much more “individual.”

By inheritance, only the father's main surname is usually passed on, but in some cases (usually in noble families, as well as among the Basques), the mother's surnames of the parents are also passed on to the children (in fact, the surnames of grandmothers on both sides).

In some localities, there is a tradition of adding to the surname the name of the locality where the bearer of this surname or his ancestors were born. For example, if a person's name is Juan Antonio Gomez Gonzalez de San Jose, then in this case Gomez is the first, paternal surname, and Gonzalez de San Jose is the second, maternal surname. In this case, the particle "de" is not an indicator of noble origin, as in France, but simply means that ancestors mother of our Juan Antonio were from a town or village called San Jose.

Sometimes the paternal and maternal surnames are separated by the particle “and”: Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, Jose Ortega y Gasset. In Russian transcription, such surnames are usually written with a hyphen, although in the original they are usually written without separating marks: Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, José Ortega y Gasset.

When married, Spanish women do not change their surname, but simply add the surname of their husband to the apellido paterno: for example, Laura Riario Martinez, having married a man with the surname Marquez, can sign Laura Riario de Marquez or Laura Riario, Señora Marquez.

The most common Spanish surnames.

10 most common surnames in Spain