La cultura: Family Life and the Spanish Naming System

1. Los nombres hispanos (Hispanic Names)

Spanish speakers typically have two last names. Traditionally, the first last name (apellido) has been the father’s last name (apellido paterno), and the second last name has been the mother’s last name (apellido materno). However, things are changing in the Hispanic world since families are more diverse now. Single parents give both their last names to their children, whereas different couples may negotiate the order of their children’s last names in a more organic way. Some countries have laws that require all siblings to have the same last name order.

did you know

Women who live in Spanish-speaking countries keep their original name and do not take their husband’s name. So, there is no need ask about someone’s “maiden name” as we sometimes do in the United States.

While forms in the U.S. typically provide just one space for a last name, a Spanish speaker’s full name includes two last names (although they may also consider their apellido to be their paternal last name only).

Giving a child a separate “middle name” is not a custom in Spanish-speaking countries, but a person’s first name may include two parts (like José Manuel below). The chart shows an example of a full Spanish name.

try it

Using this naming structure, what would be your full name? Remember to say it in this order: First name, middle name, father’s last name, mother’s maiden name.

1a. Compound Names

Many Spanish speakers have a compound name, which is a name composed of multiple parts. For example, many women have a compound name that includes María plus another given name. When this is the case, they tend to go by the other given name or by a blend of both names.

EXAMPLE

Women named María del Carmen may go by Carmen, Mari-Carmen, Mamen, or Carmela, but they don’t typically go by María. Women named Carmen María would tend to go by Carmen rather than María.
audio (24).mp3

Men who receive two given names may go by their compound name, by one of the names (typically the first one), or by a blend.

EXAMPLE

A man named José Manuel may go by José Manuel, Josema, José, or Chema.
audio (25).mp3

1b. Hypocorisms

Many Spanish speakers use hypocorisms, which are shortened versions or derived forms of names. Some common hypocoristics for Spanish names are presented in the following chart.

Some hypocorisms just consist of changing the stressed syllable of the full name.

EXAMPLE

Jose (for José), Jesus (for Jesús), Manuel (for Manuel), and Miguel (for Miguel). audio (26).mp3

The stressed syllables are in bold-face. Also notice that in most of the hypocorisms above, the stress tends to fall on the first syllable, especially if the word has two syllables.

EXAMPLE

Ignacio → Nacho; Consuelo → Chelo; Mercedes → Merche; Pilar → Pili audio (27).mp3

term to know

Hypocorism

A shortened version or derived form of a name, typically used as a nickname or term of endearment.

1c. Asking for Someone’s Full Name

Now it’s time to learn some questions normally asked in the Spanish-speaking world to clarify someone's name. The most common one is ¿Cuál es su nombre (completo)? which means “What is your (full) name?” This will get you all of the components of the name the person is using in the correct order.

The chart below provides questions you can use with Spanish speakers when getting their name to register for school, employment, appointments, etc. Due to the nature of the Spanish naming system, it is important to ask specific questions.

2. La familia (The Family)

We’ll now discuss the role of family in Hispanic culture. To start, here is some additional vocabulary related to family:

2a. Family Life

In Hispanic culture, the family is very important. This is obvious in many aspects of daily life, and it is possible to see multi-generational families or related families living together under one roof in some households.

IN CONTEXT

As family is an important source of support for Hispanics, it is common for college students and young adults to live at their parents’ houses until they find their first job, or to return to their parents’ house in between jobs as adults.

Additionally, it is not uncommon throughout the Spanish-speaking world to have grandparents living with one of their adult children and their families for extended periods or even permanently. Retired grandparents may also offer free childcare for their grandchildren, so many Hispanic children get to enjoy their grandparents’ company every day.

However, according to a 2016 report by the Inter-American Development Bank, it is less and less common for senior adults in Latin America and the Caribbean to live with their extended family and more common for them to live alone or with their spouse.

While it is important to live close to family, this is sometimes not possible because of work. Still, Hispanics return to their families for vacations as well as regular gatherings with extended family.

These large family gatherings are commonplace to celebrate together or just to enjoy each other’s company. Constantly supporting and being there for one another is a wonderful part of the culture. At the gatherings, there is always a happy vibe and often lots of food and music to enjoy.

2b. Family Structure

Like in other parts of the world, the structure of the family is also changing in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in urban areas. Divorce is legal in every Spanish speaking country. Same-sex unions are legal in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia; other countries, including Venezuela and Cuba, are currently working on legalizing same-sex unions.

Even in countries where same-sex unions are not yet legalized, the traditional family structure is changing. This has created a more fluid understanding of Hispanic traditional families. It is common now to have blended families with step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings, as well as for Hispanic children to live with one of their parents or to split their time between their parents. It is also common to see families with two fathers or two mothers, or unmarried couples with or without children, just like in the United States.

did you know

Every Spanish-speaking country has paid maternity leave laws that allow mothers to stay home to care for their infant children. However, only in countries like Spain do longer paid leaves extend to both parents, suggesting that equality in childcare responsibilities is still not a reality in every Spanish-speaking country.