Last Name in Spanish: Meaning, Use, and Easy Examples for Beginners

Names matter. Big time. They tell folks who you are, where you’re from too. When you learn Spanish, you’ll spot something cool. Last names work differently there. Spanish folks use two last names. Let’s learn this together.

What Last Name Means in Spanish

The Spanish word? It’s apellido. Say it like: ah-peh-yee-doh. Say apellidos if there is more than one.

Look at these:
• Mi apellido es García. (My last name is García.)
• Escribe tus apellidos en el formulario. (Write your last names on the form.)
• Los apellidos españoles suelen ser largos. (Spanish last names are often long.)

You’ll hear it everywhere. When folks need your info.

How to Ask Someone’s Last Name

Here’s how to ask nicely:

Try these:
• ¿Cómo te apellidas? (What’s your last name? Like, what do you call yourself?)

Short and sweet. You’ll use these all the time.

How Spanish Last Names Work

Here’s the cool part. Spanish folks have two last names. First one? From dad. Second one? From mom.

Check this out:
Juan’s dad is Pérez. His mom is López. So Juan becomes Juan Pérez López.

• First name: Juan
  • Dad’s name: Pérez
  • Mom’s name: López

Now Juan has a kid. Let’s say María. The mom is García Torres. What happens? María becomes María Pérez García. She gets dad’s first last name (Pérez). And mom’s first last name (García). Simple!

Examples of Full Spanish Names

• Ana Martínez Rivera
• Carlos López Gutiérrez
• Sofía Torres Díaz
• Pedro González Ramos

When to Use Both Last Names?

At work? School? Government stuff? Both names. Always both.

Like this:
• El señor Ramírez Sánchez está esperando. (Mr. Ramírez Sánchez is waiting.)

But chatting with friends? One name is fine.

Like:
• Hola, soy María López. (Hi, I’m María López.)
• El profesor se llama Diego Torres. (The teacher’s Diego Torres.)

Still, official stuff needs both. Always.

Describing Your Own Last Name

Talk about your name? Try these:
• Mi apellido es Khan. (My last name is Khan.)
• Tengo dos apellidos. (I have two last names.)
• Mi primer apellido es Pérez y el segundo es García. (First one’s Pérez. Second is García.)
• Mi apellido viene de mi padre. (My last name comes from dad.)
• Los apellidos en mi familia son muy comunes. (My family names are super common.)

Common Spanish Words Related to Last Names

Know these words too:

• Nombre = first name
  • Nombre completo = full name
  • Segundo nombre = middle name
  • Apellido paterno = dad’s last name
  • Apellido materno = mom’s last name

Fun Fact About Apellidos

Spanish names tell stories. Old stories. Some show jobs. Others show places. Cool, right?

• Herrera = blacksmith (metal worker)
  • Morales = mulberry tree place
  • Navarro = from Navarra (a place in Spain)
  • Blanco = white
  • Castillo = castle

So names can tell you stuff. About old family history. Pretty neat!

How to Introduce Yourself with Your Last Name

Meeting someone? Start with your first name. But formal times? Add the last name too.

Like this:
• Me llamo Diego Fernández. (I’m Diego Fernández.)
• Soy Ana López García. (I’m Ana López García.)

It works everywhere.

Tips to Remember the Word Apellido

• Apellido = last name. Not a nickname!
  • Got two names? Say apellidos.
  • Forms in Spanish countries? Write both names.
  • Dad’s name always goes first. Always.
  • Practice your full name. Say it lots.

See? Learning apellido is easy. Super useful too. You’ll say it lots. When you meet people. Fill out forms. Talk formal-like.

Spanish names are cool. They show both parents. Both matter.

Now you know. Apellido = last name. Apellidos = last names. Try it out. Say Mi apellido es López. Or Tengo dos apellidos. Practice and soon you’ll talk like a pro. And you’ll get how names work there. Easy peasy!