using la or el for proper nouns

Question

what is the rule of using la or el for peopl name?

Answer 1

I know that in Chile, and perhaps other places, the article "el" or "la" is used before a person's name to show familiarity or endearment, usually friends or family. In this case, use "el" before a man's name and "la" before a female's name.

For example, I am a female and my name is Bethany, so a friend might call me "La Bethany".

Answer 2

In archaic Spanish, definite articles were placed before place names, such as la Cuba, la Flórida, etc. However, even though this practice is slowly dying out, it is still occasionally practiced in Spain, before certain place names (like the ones listed above).

I've never seen it before people's names, though. - randomaccount65, Jul 18, 2011

Wow, really? That's very, very interesting. I didn't know that (as you can tell from my post on this thread, jaja!), so thank you for sharing this! - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 18, 2011

La India, El Perú, still common no? - afowen, Jul 18, 2011

Answer 3

This is not uncommon in Mexico, but by talking about someone - not addressing them directly, ie: "Dile a la Bethany que ya nos vamos."

Answer 4

I'm sure that there are other applications but in the worlds of bullfighting and Flamenco, this sort of thing is very common."El Cordobés", "La Paca de la Frontera", "El Viti."

Answer 5

When directly addressing Mr. Fulano it is « Señor Fulano,....» when speaking about Mr. Fulano it is «el señor Fulano.....»

Same with Señora Fulano y la señora Fulano, etc.

Answer 6

Hmmm...I've never seen someone use "la" or "el" for someone's name.