TRADITIONEN IN DER SPANISCHEN NAMENSGEBUNG
TRADITIONS IN SPANISH NAME-GIVING

Summary/Abstract: Spanish name-giving is still very traditional. A historic and a geographic influence can often be seen, but also the saint of birthday is important. The percentage of the Virgin’s advocations is still today very high with females. Variation in men’s names is limited to more or less ten different hagiographic ones. The influence of actors’ names from television-series and films is notable, but comparably of little importance. Therefore the celebration of the namesday is still today more important than a birthday party. Specially the names which refer to the Virgin Mary are only understandable in the Spanish language. They cannot be translated. Interesting development of surnames as Sanchez, Gonzalez or others, which derive from names like Sancho, Gonzalo.

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