Choosing a name for a baby is one of the first important decisions that parents-to-be must make. This choice often reflects a mix of family traditions, personal preferences and sometimes current trends. In Spain, in 2023, the most popular names were Lucie and Martin. These names, chosen by two out of 100 newborns, experienced a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Lucía predominated in ten of the 17 autonomous communities, standing out in Extremadura and Madrid, while Martín was the most frequent name in six communities, with a notable presence in Galicia and Castile and Leon.
Over the decades, the most common names in Spain have changed considerably. In the 1930s, Jose was the most popular, followed by Antonio in the 1940s and David in the 1980s. Currently, Antonio, Manuel and José are the most common boys’ names, with an average age of over 55. Among girls, Married and its variants dominated until the beginning of the 21st century, with Lucia being the new ruler since then. Despite a growing interest in original names, such as Arya or Daenerys, traditional names such as Maria, Sofia and Martina They are still very common.
The name with the highest probability of success
Choosing a baby’s name is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly, even if it can be complicated due to the subjectivity of the beauty of namesand what may seem beautiful or appropriate to some may not be so to others.
The impact of the name on personality is significant, according to child psychologist Rafa Guerrero. The name we give our children not only identifies them, but can also influence their personal development. David Zhu, a psychologist at the University of Arizonaconducted a study that showed that names can affect self-concept. For example, people whose names have negative connotations may face additional challenges, such as lower chances of getting a job interview, compared to those whose names are perceived as more “Western.”
On the other hand, some studies suggest that certain names could be linked to the success in life. A 2016 analysis by MooseRoots, which examined the names of prominent figures such as philosophers, scientists, and Nobel Prize winners, found a possible correlation between names and genius. While the study lacks rigorous scientific support, it did reveal names that could be associated with success, such as John (Juan in Spanish) and Mary (María in Spanish), two common names around the world with deep historical and religious roots.
In addition to Jean and MarieMooseRoots’ ranking of names with a high probability of success includes: Elizabeth, Joseph, Peter, Thomas, Paul, George, Johann, Richard, James, David, Charles, William, and Robert. While these results do not guarantee success, they highlight the cultural and historical influence of names on perceptions of success and genius.
Juan
The name John has a rich etymology that originates from Hebrew and means “full of God’s grace” or “God is good”. Although this interpretation is deeply tied to Christian tradition, the name also has a lesser-known meaning derived from Arabic, which translates to “young” or “youthful.”
In the Christian traditionJohn is a symbol of light, reflecting the illumination that, according to the Gospel of John, Christ brings. It is important to distinguish between St. John the Evangelist, the apostle and author of the gospel that bears his name, and St. John the Baptist, the prophet who baptized Jesus. St. John the Baptist, who preached before Christ’s arrival, is celebrated on June 24, a date close to the summer solstice. Although it is linked to pagan solstice festivities, its exact date, three days after the solstice, suggests a deep symbolic connection.
Married
The name Mary, of Hebrew origin, has a widely controversial etymology. In Hebrew, she is presented as Miriam and appears in the Book of Exodus as the sister of Moses and Aaron. Although the original form is Mír-yam, evolved into Aramaic Maryamand in Greek to Mariam. The root of the name has been interpreted in various ways. Some suggest that it comes from the Hebrew root mrh, meaning “to rebel”, in reference to Mary’s disputes with Moses, although the name existed before these events.
Others suggest that it derives from mra, which could mean “obese” or “beautiful,” or from mara(h), which means “bitterness.” An ancient etymology links Mary to Hebrew words mir (light) and yam (sea)suggesting the meaning “light on the sea”, which is related to the Latin title Stella Maris or “Star of the Sea”. Additionally, an Egyptian root has been suggested, where Míriam could derive from mr (love), with the feminine form mryt meaning “beloved”. This connection is supported by historical Egyptian names, such as Merit and Meritamun, which reflect this interpretation.
