According to the National Public Registry of a Latin American country, the names “María” and “José” are the some of the most common first names in Spanish. “Luz” (female name) and “Juan” are likewise very popular names. It is thought that these names are used with the most regularity due to the religious nature of Latin Americans; both names are very prominent in the Bible.

In English, there are some names that are still used but may be considered somewhat old-fashioned or maybe a little less popular. A certain first name I am thinking of is “Olga”. We don’t often hear that name as much any more and it’s not on the “top ten” list of most popular names. The interesting point is that in Spanish, the name “Olga” is a commonly heard name. It is not considered outdated and is actually fairly popular and well-liked.

Here is an example of some of fun outdated first names that most Latin American kids wouldn’t want to be named. A few close Latin American amigos told me about these names. These names are “Tiburcia” and “Anacleta”. There is also a male counterpart: “Tiburcio” and “Anacleto”. Now that you have this powerful and possibly dangerous knowledge, you need to be cautious. I wouldn’t recommend going around calling people these names. There are still individuals that have and use them that could be offended.

Next let us examine a few crossover names from English to Spanish. This is not necessarily an all-encompassing list and some of the crossover names have been debated, but here they are:
Female Names Male Names
Spanish English Spanish English
María Mary José Joseph
Catalina Katherine Juan John
Débora Deborah David David
Elena Helen Adán Adam
Blanca (literally means “white”) Blanch Alejandro Alexander
Esperanza Hope Alfredo Alfred
Estela Estelle Andrés Andrew
Eva Eve Benjamín Benjamin
Inés Agnes Bernardo Bernard
Leonor Eleanor Carlos Charles
Margarita Margaret Ceaser César (common Spanish name)
Marta Martha Cristián Christian
Matilde Matilda Cristóbal Christopher
Milagros Miracles Santiago James
Mónica Monica Eduardo Edward
Natalia Natalie Enrique Henry
Noemi Naomi Estéban Steven
Olimpia Olympia Federico Frederick
Perla Pearl Felipe Phillip
Priscila Priscilla Geraldo Gerald
Raquel Rachel Guillermo William
Rebeca Rebecca Marcos Mark
Rita Rita Mateo Matthew
Rosalina Rosalyn Miguel Michael
Rut Ruth Pablo Paul
Sara Sarah Pedro Peter
Silvia Sylvia Ramón or Raimundo Raymond
Sofía Sophie Ricardo Richard
Susana Susanna Roberto Robert
Teresa Theresa Tomás Thomas
Verónica Veronica Wilfredo Wilfred
Viviana Vivian Víctor Victor

Spanish Nicknames
Finally, we willl take a look at some Spanish nicknames that people are often called because of their name. For example, I have an Uncle Richard and we often call him “Dick”. Another English example of this is when “Robert” is addressed as “Bob”.
Spanish Nicknames
Spanish Name Spanish Nickname
Adela (f) Adelina
Ana (f) Anita
Carlos (m) Carlitos
Carla (f) Carlota
David (m) Davico
Rosario (f) Charo
Consuelo (f) Chelo
Jesús (m) -common Spanish name Chucho
Concepeión (f) Concha
Concha (f) Conchita
Eva (f) Evita
Gracia (f) Graciela
Juana (f) Juanita
Juan (m) Juanito
Eduardo (m) Lalo
Dolores (f) Lola
Guadalupe (f) Lupita
Manuel (m) Manolo
Ignacio (m) Nacho
Francicso (m) Paco or Pancho
José (m) Pepe or Pepito
Pilar (f) Pili
Enrique (m) Quique
Rosa (f) Rosita
Sara (f) Sarita
Margarita (f) Margaret

Moral of this Story: Names are very important in any language. If you have not already looked, see if your name crosses over to Spanish.

Sneak peek at next week: “Spanish Names – Part II”

¡Hasta luego! (”Until later!”)
David S. Clark — President / Director
Click here to learn Spanish.

As we talked with our tour guide Miguel in Ensenada, he said that most people there are thankful to Americans for NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Because of NAFTA, many large U.S. businesses, that hire 1,200 – 1,500 people, have opened plants in Ensenada and pay people wages of $10 – $12 per day which is higher than their minimum wage. As a result of this, unemployment has gone down. The companies also cover transportation to and from work since gas there is very expensive and many people still don’t have cars.

Because many American companies have opened plants in Mexico, many of their key employees have been required to learn Spanish. Our course, Visual Link Spanish™, has been very successful in teaching Spanish to managers of large businesses (and their families) who have gone down to Mexico for a few months to help open manufacturing plants. This type of temporary relocation is happening more often. It’s becoming essential for personnel in many large businesses to know Spanish, not only to relocate to Latin America, but also to increase business opportunities for international trade. It’s also becoming increasingly important to know Spanish to communicate with Spanish speaking customers here in the U.S.

Here’s one last interesting item I learned in Ensenada about purchasing land in Mexico. If you are from another country and try to purchase land in Mexico, you cannot unless you are a Mexican citizen. Leasing is your only option. Here are a few of things to watch for if you go to Mexico and want to lease land:
1. Get the longest lease you can – Don’t get a “short” 20-25 year lease; try to get a 100 year lease. Even though you probably won’t be alive for 100 years, it makes provision for the land to be passed on to others.
2. Make sure it is a renewable lease – If it’s not renewable, when the lease is up, it falls back into the previous owner’s hands.
3. How to Own Land in Mexico (without Leasing) – Our tour guide Miguel told us about two ways to be the sole owner of land in Mexico without leasing. The first is to become a Mexican citizen and the second is to have a baby while living on Mexican land. (That’s easy enough, right?)
4. Purchase land only through a “Notario Público” (Notary Public) – The term “Notary Public” has a different definition in Spanish than it does in English. In English (at least in the United States) a Notary Public is a person who witnesses the signing of documents and certifies the authenticity of the signer. In Spanish, a “Notario Público” is an attorney who works with legal documents. The “Notario Público” ensures that the person selling/leasing the land is the sole owner of the land. Many people and organizations over the past years have purchased land without using a “Notario Público”; they lost all their money because the land wasn’t owned by the person selling it.
5. Be sure to do a “Fideicomiso” – This is a trusteeship and is the kind of legal document you need to have drawn up.
Moral of the Story: Spanish is becoming very essential and useful in today’s world. Also, if you are planning to have a baby soon, be sure to deliver on Mexican land so you can own land! (Notice: Do at your own risk – The U.S. Institute of Languages™ is not responsible for babies born in Mexico, or any other part of the world including the United States. for that matter!)

Sneak peek at next week: Latin American’s are serious about their #1 Pastime!

¡Hasta la próxima semana! (Until Next Week!)
David S. Clark — President / Director