How do we translate names

Question

How????

Answer 1

Generally, you don't.

Is that really true? From what I know in Spain they change the Dutch name Jan Smit (artist) into juanes smit. That's what I hear from friends of mine that have lived in Spain for months. - IlseD, Aug 19, 2010

Answer 2

I think your question can be answered in two different ways.

1) When you say that John is Juan in Spanish, or that Carl is Carlos in Spanish, these are not translations from English into Spanish. They're just national adaptions of a name that originally is neither Spanish nor English, but Hebrew, Greek and so on. 2) On the other hand, when you think of Zorro, for instance, that name can be properly translated into other languages as Fox in English or Renard in French. Of course, these were nicknames that later on became names in their own right.

Antonio Banderas' name, for instance, can fall into both categories. Antonio's English version is Anthony, while his family name seems to be the plural of the Spanish noun "bandera", which means "flag". So, in an ultra-orthodox English rendition, the actor's name would be Anthony Flags, as it would happen to many other names if translated into another language.

Even Don Quijote's name is no exception to the rule, as "quijote" means an armor, as The RAE itself explains:

quijote1.

(Del cat. cuixot, y este del lat. coxa, cadera).

1. m. Pieza del arnés destinada a cubrir el muslo.

2. m. En el cuarto trasero de las caballerías, parte comprendida entre el cuadril y el corvejón. U. m. en pl.

explained very good, compliment and a vote from me! - IlseD, Aug 19, 2010

gracias :) - 00494ed7, Aug 19, 2010

Answer 3

We actually often do translate names like cities or even proper names in Spanish.

New York becomes Nueva York

Aachen becomes Aquisgran (now that is a really weird one, I dont think Germans would even recognize the city)

There is no rule to it though, so if you have a name you would like to translate, let us know

Welcome to the forum

Answer 4

I've done the name changes a few weeks ago with some family & friends:

Ilse - Ilsita (that's me!)

Jeannette - Juanita

John - Juan

Caz (short for Carin) - Karina

Carl - Carlos (obviously)

Daniel - we just sticked with Daniel ;D

my hamster kruimel: el hámster Kruimelina

Tyler - ?? we didn't know

Answer 5

There are equivalents to many names as llseD mentions but there is nothing that dictates that a name must be translated.

That's right! It happens in English, Spanish, Dutch... every language! I've so many examples.. I don't know were to begin. - IlseD, Aug 19, 2010