Spanish Naming Convention

Question

In watching a publicity ad of Felipe Calderón on Lomastv, he speaks of his father as Luis Calerón Vega. Is there some name convention is Spanish culture that explains why his father would have a different last name?

Thank you for any enlightenment,

Jim

Answer 1

The first name is taken from the first name of the father (el apellido paterno), the last name is taken from the first name of the mother (el apellido materno).

Felipe Calderón Hinojosa.

Hijo de Luis Calderón Vega y de Carmen Hinojosa Calderón.

Vous m'avez gagnez! - Jubilado, Jul 21, 2011

Answer 2

First name = Nombre de pila

Middle name = Segundo nombre/tercero/cuarto (if any)

Last name/surname = Father's last name

(second last name) = Mother's last name

Answer 3

I think that the naming convention is that the father has the last name (apellido) of his father first then the apellido of his mother (Vega) after that. The son takes the first of the appellidos of his father and his mother's first apellido in that order. So Luis's last name is Calderón (his father's apellido). Luis should have a name after that for his mother's apellido (which you didn't mention).

Answer 4

What happens with the next generation. There are the father and the mother with two names i.e. paternal y maternal appellidos. The children will have four last names ?

No. Each child gets his father's last name followed by his mother's father's (maternal grandfather's last name. Alphabetized lists of names are by father's last name. This convention has always been followed and even now, in 2011, no one has more than 2 - Sabor, Jul 21, 2011

last names. (I wish someone could explain the way Russians do it) :) - Sabor, Jul 21, 2011

Thanks. Now I understand. - porcupine7, Jul 21, 2011

Answer 5

The grandchildrens would take the first last name of thier father and the first last name of thier mother