Abstract
Scholars of onomastics and scholars of different ethnic groups have documented the strong relationship between ethnic identity and given names, but social scientists generally have not included onomastics in studies of ethnic identity. This report compares given names for males and females in five Hispanic geographical communities (Miami, Tampa, San Antonio, Denver, and Albuquerque). Names and spellings of names are classified as Spanish, Bicultural, or English. Male and female patterns are similar in each community, but noticeable Spanish-Bicultural-English differences are found in these five communities. This report supports the bicultural theory of adjustment. Even when English spellings or names are used, the tendency is to use names popular in Spanish. In conclusion, it is suggested that more attention should be given to naming patterns as an indication of ethnic identity.
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