Hugo and Lucia, the names preferred by the Spaniards for their children
In Spain there is an immense catalog of names of children that is increasing more and more as a consequence of globalization, which means that some names like Dylan are already present within our borders. The arrival of immigrants to our country also means that this range of possibilities is broadened and that typical names of their country of origin, such as the children called Mohamed, grow more and more.
Hugo and Lucia the names preferred by Spanish parents
The National Institute of Statistics, INE, collects the names that parents choose for their children in Spain. These data express that during 2014, the last year in which these data were collected, parents preferred to call their children Hugo in the case of children and Lucia in the case of girls. Specifically there were a total of 5,121 Hugos and 5,151 Lucias that led the ranking of names most chosen by parents during this year.
In second place is Daniel in the case of the boys, with a total of 4,859 children who received this name. In the case of the girls the second place is for the Marías, name that the parents chose for their daughters in 4,951 cases. Pablo and Martina appear in third place in this ranking with 4,494 and 4,380 respectively.
Importing names for babies
This list highlights the presence of names that until a few years ago would have been unthinkable in the Spanish imaginary given that they were typical of other countries. Globalization and immigration have made these names more and more important on this list. In this way we find 1,299 Enzos, a name of Italian origin and very popular among the Latin American population.
It also highlights the import of typical names of countries like the United States, in the case of Dylan, which was the election of 754 parents for their children. Others like Mohamed, counted in 756 cases, is another example of how immigration is adding new names to the catalog of typical names in Spain. In the case of girls, the presence of 591 Chloes and 526 Zoes stands out.
The most common names by communities
In almost all the communities the names Hugo and Daniel hold the first positions. However, for example in communities like Andalusia, the children who were most found in this survey was Alejandro. Other territories such as Asturias do not follow the national norm either, since the most repeated masculine name in this autonomy is Martín.
In the autonomous communities with their own language, the common names of this zone are usually in the first and second place. This is the case of the Valencian Community, Catalonia since in these territories the most common name among children is Marc. As for Martina girls, it is the most common name in the eastern zone and the Costa Brava. On the other hand, in the Basque Country, the most chosen for children is Markel and for the girls, the one who liked the most was Anne.
Classic names
Other more common names as is the case of the Antonios have seen their presence reduced. In fact, in the last decade it was only the choice for 8,727 parents, while in the 90s there were 30,925 parents, that is, in just 20 years it has been reduced by more than half. The name of José also has been reduced in this second decade of S. XXI since in the last data they point out that at the moment there are 6,135 Josés whereas in the decade of the 90 this number was 17,340.
Also feminine names very used in the past like Carmen also have been reduced respect to other times. In the current decade, 11,369 girls received this name, while in the first decade of the 21st century this was the decision of 22,944 parents, a difference that is somewhat greater compared to the decade of the 90s when the name Carmen was chosen in 15,532 cases.
Damián Montero
