Philippines Names: Name Structure
In the Philippines, the naming structure is a blend of native, Spanish, and American influences, reflecting the country’s complex history. A typical Filipino name consists of a first name (given name), middle name (often the mother's maiden name), and family name (surname). The first names are usually Spanish or English in origin, a legacy of Spanish colonialism and American influence. These are chosen by parents and often carry religious, familial, or cultural significance. The middle name, which is the mother's maiden name, is used to honor the maternal lineage, a practice not commonly found in Western naming conventions. The family name, inherited from the father, follows the middle name. This naming system, with its combination of Western and indigenous elements, reflects the Philippines’ diverse cultural heritage and the importance of family in Filipino society.
Name Format / Sequence
Given Name(s) | Middle Name | Surname or Patronymic
Filipinos generally have one or two given names and two to five family names (surnames). Some people use their maternal surname as a middle name or additional surname. Names in the Philippines are derived from Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog languages and cultures.
Examples:
- Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr., 10th president of the Philippines (male)
- José García Villa, Filipino poet, short story writer, and painter (male)
- José Protasio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda, Filipino nationalist and writer (male)
- Maria Corazon Aquino y Cojuangco y Sumulong, 11th president of the Philippines (female)
- Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, world champion boxer from the Philippines (male)
- Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina, first Filipino head of the government of the Philippines (male)
Given Name
Children in the Philippines are given one or two names by their parents at birth; double names like John Paul and Mary Joy are typically treated as a single unit. Given names in the Philippines are mostly taken from English and Spanish roots (e.g., the female names Elizabeth and Margarita, and the male names John and Alejandro). Many Filipinos have names referencing Christianity, such as saints’ names and biblical figures. As in Spanish-speaking countries, it is common for a woman to be named Maria in honor of the Virgin Mary, typically as part of a compound name (e.g., Maria Corazon and Maria Luisa). Often Maria is dropped in everyday use (for instance, former president Maria Corazon Aquino y Cojuangco y Sumulong typically went by Corazon Aquino).
Few Tagalog given names are still used in the Philippines. These often have meanings that reference nature, such as the female name Bituin (star) and the male name Kidlat (lightning). The Philippines is an ethnically diverse country, where Chinese, Indian, French, Japanese, and Arabic names are not uncommon.
Examples:
- Angelo (male)
- John (male)
- Manuel (male)
- Vicente (male)
- Angelica (female)
- Cristina (female)
- Maricel (female)
- Teresa (female)
Middle Name
Many modern Filipinos use their mother's maiden surname as a middle name. This is an evolution of the historically common Spanish-derived practice of giving children both the paternal and maternal surnames, in that order, linked with the conjunction y (e.g., Ernesto Aguilar y Mercado). Some Spanish-descended people in the Philippines still follow this pattern, but now it is more common to omit the y and register the maternal surname as a middle name (e.g., Ernesto Mercado Aguilar).
Surname
Family names or surnames are used in several different ways in the Philippines depending on cultural affiliation. Although some Filipinos continue to follow the Spanish naming practice of having two surnames (the father’s followed by the mother’s, joined with the conjunction y), this format is usually reserved for official documents only and the mother’s surname is used as a middle name.
The majority of surnames in the Philippines are Spanish-derived (e.g., García, González, Mendoza, Torres). Spanish-based surnames in the Philippines are often prefaced by locative particles, such as de (of) or de la (from the). Santos, the most common Spanish-derived surname in the Philippines, means “saints.”
Filipinos living in some areas of the country have native Tagalog-derived surnames, such as Gatdula, Kalaw, and Macaraeg. Unique hybrid Filipino-Chinese surnames (e.g., Chengcuenca, Pe-Benito, and Sibayansy) are also found in the Philippines.
Examples:
- Santos
- Reyes
- García
- de la Cruz
- De León
- Mendoza
- Macaraeg
- Chengcuenca
Patronymic
In some remote parts of the Philippines, including the mountain areas of Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, and Palawan, some people continue to follow the Filipino practice of using patronymics rather than surnames. For example, Pitík, son of Timbô, would be known as Timbô, amá ni Pitík.
Married / Maiden Name
Married women in the Philippines may continue to use their maiden name after marriage, or they may choose to use their spouse's surname. Women who change their name may either add to their own, sometimes with a hyphen, or replace their maiden name entirely. For example, Victoria Cabral García, after marrying Ernesto Mercado Aguilar, might continue to use her maiden name or change it to Victoria Cabral García Aguilar, Victoria Cabral García-Aguilar, or Victoria Cabral Aguilar.
Diminutives / Nicknames
Many people in the Philippines use diminutive nicknames with silly or even lightly derogatory meanings. Sometimes these nicknames are based on longer or more formal given names (e.g., the president Benigno Aquino, known as Ninoy), but they may also be full given or legal names (e.g., the senator Joker Arroyo, whose legal birth given name is Joker). The given name of Vice President Jejomar Binay, a combination of the name Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, is another example of a nickname-style legal name. Other examples of common nickname-style names in the Philippines include Barbie, Bingbing, and Bumbum.
Forms of Address / Honorifics / Titles
The courtesy titles Mr., Mrs., and Miss, followed by surnames, are widely used in the Philippines. Sir and Ma'am are frequently used with given names conversationally as an indication of respect (e.g., Sir Michael, Ma’am Jane). If a person has a professional or academic title (e.g., Doctor), it is used, followed by the surname.
Examples:
- Mr. Reyes
- Mrs. Centeno
- Miss Santos
- Doctor Mercado
- President Pasamonte
- Major Aguilar
Article written for World Trade Press by Carina Saxon.
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