Reader Request: Understanding Peruvian Names

By Naturegirl321 @SharonTEFLTips

From grandhaventribune.com

Pervians usually have at least one first name and two last names. The first given name and the first last name is used when talking about people. The first last name comes from the father and the second last name comes from the mother. Here's an example (accent marks have been omitted):
  • Mother: Maria Jose Sanchez Perez
  • Father: Miguel Angel Rodriguez Gonzalez
  • Son: Juan Pedro Rodriguez Sanchez
  • Daughter: Maria Pia Rodriguez Sanchez

Marriage
When a woman gets married she may add "de" (which usually shows marriage) and her husband's first last name or keep her name as it is. For example, if the daughter above gets married, here's what her name could be:
  • Daughter: Maria Pia Rodriguez Sanchez (if she keeps her name)
  • Daughter: Maria Pia Rodriguez Sanchez de Hernadez (if she changes her name)
  • Husband: Carlos Diego Hernandez Garcia

Widows
If Carlos dies, then Maria Pia would probably be known as his widow (viuda) and that will be added to her name colloquially even if she never changed it.
  • Daughter: Maria Pia Rodriguez Sanchez Vda de Hernadez
  • Husband: Carlos Diego Hernandez Garcia

"de" in names
It can get more complicated if the person already has "de" in their name. For example:
  • Maria de la Soledad 
  • Maria de los Angeles
  • Hector de las Torres
  • Lope de Vega

Men
Sigh. Men don't change their names when they get married. Maybe someday they'll be like Brazilian men and change their names.
Conclusion
Names can get really complicated in Peru, but it's really cool to learn more about names and the history that goes along with them. I also like the fact that children get their father's and their mother's last names. One tip to remember is that speaking Spanish will help you greatly. If you're looking to learn Spanish, the two programmes I recommend are Synergy Spanish and Speak From Day 1.