Name games

99% of Peruvians have four names: two nombres (first/middle names), and two apellidos (last names). The first last name is the family name of that person's father, and the second last name is their mother's family name. So, when I have to fill out a form or spell out my name for a Peruvian, they think it is extremely strange that I only have one last name. I, for one, am rather glad of that fact, since Flaherty Madzinski would be a bit of a mouthful.

Anyway, I've been getting more familiar with Peruvian names and spellings this week, since I was in charge of writing out the certificates of completion for our summer school kids. The same last names tend to crop up over and over again, and if you ask, those kids will tell you that "yep, that's my cousin!" However, "cousin" is a much more all-encompassing term here - pretty much anyone who shares one of your same last names will be referred to as your "cousin" (or aunt/uncle, if they're older). What we in the States call "cousins," Peruvians would call "primo-hermano" (literally cousin-brother).

Another naming trend I've noticed here is that many Peruvians like to give their children American names, even if they sound totally foreign when pronounced by Spanish-speakers, and even if they have to totally change the spelling to match the way the name is pronounced here. Here are some examples:

• Lady - except they spell it Leidy or Leydi
• Jefferson - pronounced Yefferson, nicknamed Yeffer for short
• James - pronounced HA-mays
• Wallace - spelled Wallys
• Rosemary - spelled Rosmery
• Anthony - spelled Andhoni

And, saving the best for last:

• Richard Nixon (yes, those are his two first names, and yes, this child really does exist)

You see why we had to check with each kid on exact name spelling before printing those certificates...