1. Sonja Williams Migrant Education Program NCDPI
Understanding Documents from Mexico—Part 1 Naming Conventions, Birth Certificates, and Immunization Records
Sonja Williams
Migrant Education Program
NCDPI

2. Understanding Hispanic Naming Conventions
Words to know
Nombres=First names Example: Juan Carlos Martínez Gómez
Segundo nombres=Middle names Example: Juan Carlos Martínez Gómez
Apellidos=Last Names or surnames Example: Juan Carlos Martínez Gómez

3. Some Important Considerations…
Common first names are sometimes abbreviated. María is sometimes abbreviated as “Ma.” José is sometimes abbreviated as “J.” Some names are composite names, such as Mariajose, which is a girl’s name. These names usually occur when children are named for saints.
Many children don’t have middle names; the first surname should NOT be turned into a middle name.

4. Juan Carlos Gómez López
How Do Surnames Work?
Most Hispanic students will have two surnames. The first surname is the surname of the child’s father. The second surname is the surname of the child’s mother. In some cases, there may only be one surname.
Juan Francisco Gómez Martínez
Sara López
Juan Carlos Gómez López

5. More Naming Considerations…
In general, on birth certificates from Latin America, the surnames will NOT be hyphenated. They may be hyphenated if the child was born in the US. Don’t change the hyphenation that occurs on the birth certificate.
In many indigenous communities, each of the child’s names (first, middle, and surnames) can sound like a first name; e.g., José Sebastián Juan Domingo. This can be very confusing, so it is important to get the names straight when talking to the parents/guardians.
If you see the words “finada” or “finado” for parents, it means that the parent is deceased.

6. Juan Carlos Gómez López
Common Errors
Juan Francisco
Gómez Martínez
Sara López
Juan Carlos Gómez López
In the example above, entering the child’s name as Juan Carlos López would be incorrect.
Entering the child’s full name as Juan Gómez would be incomplete.
Entering the child’s full name as Juan Gómez-López would also be incorrect.
Gómez should never be listed as the middle name.

7. Quiz!
María Luisa Tomás Sánchez and Juan Francisco García Monrroy have a child whose name on her birth certificate is listed as Ma. Guadalupe.
What is the child’s first name?
Maria
What would be the child’s full name?
Maria Guadalupe García Tomás

8. Understanding Mexican Birth Certificates
Over the past few years, there has been an effort to standardize birth certificates throughout Mexico, so most of them now look similar. For older students, you may still see older versions, but the example that follows is now similar throughout Mexico.

9. REGISTRO CIVIL
ACTA DE NACIMIENTO
DATOS DEL REGISTRADO
CRIP
NOMBRE
FECHA DE NACIMIENTO
LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO
REGISTRADO
COMPARECIO
DATOS DE LOS PADRES
PERSONA DISTINTA
PARENTESCO

10. Months in Spanish enero January mayo May septiembre September febrero
February
junio
June
octubre
October
marzo
March
julio
July
noviembre
November
abril
April
agosto
August
diciembre
December

14. Gracias! Questions about Part 1??? See you next time, and……
Stay tuned for Part 2—Understanding Middle and High School Transcripts from Mexico
Questions about Part 1???
See you next time, and……
Gracias!