These two differences are all you need to keep in mind when hearing or reading a Spanish name given in full.

Why are hispanic last names hyphenated. Many Hispanics in the US. Given names can also cause confusion Kirsch adds. Instead the combination of our parents first surnames represents the unity of two families and the formation of a new one.

Carrying this into a second generation we need a future wife for Thomas. The concept of a middle name is foreign to most Hispanic cultures. Their maternal grandfathers surname.

Admittedly they are old established families. Mexican immigrants might also hyphenate their names so that others who dont understand Hispanic naming conventions dont think the first surname is a middle name. Not only are hyphenated last names common in Spanish-speaking cultures but white Americans started doing this more and more in the 70s and 80s especially as more women chose to retain their names when they married.

When Anglos opt to give both surnames to their children the mothers surname often comes first and the combined surname is often hyphenated. Wright Name Middle Name abbreviated Last Name Hispanic last names have many different forms a. The first surname is primary and the second sub-ordinate -- exactly the reverse of the middle and last names of non-Spanish speaking cultures non-Hispanics.

The double surname itself is not heritable. For example you might see this sort of name. In Hispanic tradition double surnames are the norm and not an indication of social status.

To a Hispanic therefore Ornelas Miguel Ledesma would denote Miguel Ornelas Ledesma rather than as a non-Hispanic would expect Miguel Ledesma Ornelas. Also keep in mind that its becoming more popular amongst Hispanic cultures in the Americas to hyphenate the two surnames. Simple with two names Marcos Javier Campillo Fenoll Compound Name 1LN 2 LN.