Spain Considering Change in Law on Baby Names

Spain could soon see a major change in how surnames (last names or family names, known as apellidos in Spanish) are given to babies.

The tradition in Spain, as in most of the Spanish-speaking world, is for a baby to get two surnames, the first from the father and the second from the mother. But Spain's parliament is considering a change: Under the proposal, babies would still get two surnames, one from each parent. But the parents could agree to put the mother's name first instead of the father's.

And if they can't agree? Under the proposal, the first surname would be the one that comes first in the alphabet. (You can find a more thorough explanation of the proposal in Spanish at Elbebe.com and numerous news sites in Spain.)

The intent of the proposal is to eliminate what its supporters consider one of the few vestiges of sexism in Spain's Código Civil. Opposition has come not only from traditionalists, but also from some who fear the gradual extinction of names beginning with letters coming late in the alphabet, as the first surname is the one that is passed on to later children.

Assuming the proposal is adopted, it probably won't go in effect for about two more years, according to various news articles.

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