Spanish naming customs facts for kids

In Spain, people have a special way of naming children. It's a tradition that has been followed for a long time. When a baby is born, they usually get a given name (like Maria or Carlos). Then, they get two surnames.

Historically, the first surname came from the father. It was his first surname. The second surname came from the mother. It was her first surname. So, a child's name would be their given name, then their dad's first surname, and then their mom's first surname.

Today, families can choose the order of the surnames when their first child is born. Even with this new rule, many families still choose the traditional order.

How Spanish Names Work

Most of the time, people use only their given name and their first surname. For example, Miguel de Unamuno was known by "Miguel de Unamuno," even though his full name was Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo. The full name is usually kept for official papers, like legal documents or school records.

When Both Surnames Are Used

Sometimes, people use both of their surnames. This often happens if their first surname is very common. For example, Federico García Lorca or Pablo Ruiz Picasso. Using both surnames helps make their name more unique.

It's even common for people to be known just by their second surname in these cases. You might hear people say "Lorca" instead of "García Lorca," or "Picasso" instead of "Ruiz Picasso."

Alphabetizing Spanish Names

When you look up Spanish names in a list or an index, they are usually alphabetized by the first surname. So, if you were looking for "Lorca," the poet, you would find him under "García Lorca," not "Lorca."

Images for kids

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  This map shows the most common surnames in Spain, based on where people live in each province.

See also

In Spanish: Nombre español para niños