What about you?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:05 amMost common male names in Catalonia are Jordi, Josep and Joan.
My family name is not very common where I live and in Catalonia in general, but it is quite popular in a near town, Reus, although it is not written exactly the same, and I think in Valencia, too.
My family name does not tell anything about my family and has no meaning but it is also used as a Christian name. There are many names in Catalonia that have a meaning, always related to old or traditional professions and which can be found in most European countries: Carreté (cart driver), Forné (baker), Pastor (shepherd), Cabré (goat shepherd), Carné (butcher)…and so on.
Recently some foreign names have become popular in Spain because of films and soap operas, as for example Kevin, Jessica…
When meeting someone for the first time you can use both name or surname depending on the situation. If the person is an acquaintance of a friend or a relative or if you meet this person in a discotheque o bar, usually you use the name, but if the occasion is more formal or the person is older than you it is preferable using Mr. or Ms. followed by the surname.
Sometimes surnames are used without a title but in those cases the surname has become a name. This happens usually among friends or colleagues.
In Spain most common pet names showing affection are: “cariño”, “chato/a”, “amor”, “vida mía”…
My family name is not very common where I live and in Catalonia in general, but it is quite popular in a near town, Reus, although it is not written exactly the same, and I think in Valencia, too.
My family name does not tell anything about my family and has no meaning but it is also used as a Christian name. There are many names in Catalonia that have a meaning, always related to old or traditional professions and which can be found in most European countries: Carreté (cart driver), Forné (baker), Pastor (shepherd), Cabré (goat shepherd), Carné (butcher)…and so on.
Recently some foreign names have become popular in Spain because of films and soap operas, as for example Kevin, Jessica…
When meeting someone for the first time you can use both name or surname depending on the situation. If the person is an acquaintance of a friend or a relative or if you meet this person in a discotheque o bar, usually you use the name, but if the occasion is more formal or the person is older than you it is preferable using Mr. or Ms. followed by the surname.
Sometimes surnames are used without a title but in those cases the surname has become a name. This happens usually among friends or colleagues.
In Spain most common pet names showing affection are: “cariño”, “chato/a”, “amor”, “vida mía”…