Puerto Rico is a commonwealth and territory of the United States after the Spanish American War of 1898. Puerto Ricans are natural-born citizens of the United States. Ancestry.com has made available the Puerto Rico Civil Records after 1885 as well as the census from 1910, 1920, 1930, 1935, and 1940 under US census rules.

What’s in a Puerto Rican name? As it turns out, the origin of names in Puerto Rico is quite interesting, and knowing more about them can help you find your ancestors! Not only that, but if you have Puerto Rican heritage, you might want to give your children names that tie them to their ancestors.

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Learning what goes into a Puerto Rican name can give these names—the names in your family tree, the names you give your children, and maybe even your­ name—far more significance.

A Little Puerto Rican Name History

Because of the diversity of the culture and peoples of Puerto Rico, it should be no surprise that Puerto Rican first names are rich with history. The island is densely populated with people of many backgrounds; as a result, names come from Latin cultures as well as Puerto Rico’s own culture.

Because of the beauty of the island, names that have to do with nature are common, as are names that have a spiritual nature because of Puerto Rico’s rich religious influence. Some family historians have found that names were also given according to where people lived in Puerto Rico.

In the mid-1900s, first names in Puerto Rico started to take on a more Americanized tone. Many common names, such as Telesforo, Hipolito, Eluteria, and other names that were derived from Catholic tradition, didn’t make it into the 20th Century.

The 21st century has seen name preferences swing back to some more traditional names or a combination of traditional and modern naming conventions. For example, names such as Luna and Sol have become popular again.

Puerto Rican Nicknames

Puerto Ricans commonly go by nicknames, making family history research more difficult because the given name on a birth certificate may not be well known. If you’re having trouble locating an ancestor on your family tree, learning more about Puerto Rican nicknames might help.

Nicknames Explainedpuerto Rican Genealogy Ancestry

Why Are Nicknames So Common in Puerto Rico?

One reason nicknames are so popular in Puerto Rico is because of Puerto Rican naming traditions. It is common for people in extended families or regions to share the same names—for example, Maria. To avoid being confused with 10 other Marias, a person may choose to go by his or her middle name or a nickname.

Puerto Rican nicknames can have many origins. Sometimes given names are shortened and then an “ito” (for males) or an “ita” (for females) is added to the end of the name. Other nicknames can refer to a physical feature, such as the color of a person’s eyes.

Top Puerto Rican Names

According to the United States Social Security office, here are the top 15 boy and girl names in Puerto Rico from the year 2019:

Nicknames Explainedpuerto Rican Genealogy Myths

What Do Puerto Rican Names Mean?

Because Puerto Ricans take great pride in their names, it might be interesting to know what a few of the above names mean. Knowing the meanings of names can also help when you find these names in your family history and want to use them to name your own children!

Luis is one of the most popular given names in Puerto Rico. While it feels familiar, it also has a unique feel to it. Many famous people have the name Luis, which is why many people choose it. Two notable Puerto Ricans with the name Luis are baseball star Luis Aparicio and Luis Suarez of football fame.

Jose means “may God increase” and has always been on lists of popular names in Puerto Rico.

The name Diego has gotten popular again because of the cartoon Go Diego Go. It’s the Spanish name for “Jacob,” and Dee is a common nickname.

As for the girls, Valeria means “strong” and is of Latin origin.

Camila has recently risen in popularity and comes from the royal name “Camilla,” which originates in Roman mythology.

Alanis is a derivation of the once-popular Puerto-Rican name “Alana.”

Look for Puerto Rican Names in Your Family Tree

Do you have Puerto Rican heritage? If so, look at your own family tree. What names do you have in your ancestry? Getting to know the names of your ancestors can be an great way to learn more about your family.

Source: New on FamilySearch

From the historical and enchanting region of Spain emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Ortiz family. Originally, the Spanish people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in Spain is extremely interesting. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Spain were patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Spanish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and one of the most common patronymic suffix is 'iz.' The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The name Ortiz is derived from the Latin personal name Fortunio, which means fortunate.

Early Origins of the Ortiz family

The surname Ortiz was first found in Asturias, where the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian peninsula began in the eighth century. One of the earliest records of the family was Sancho Ordóñez (c. 895 - 929), King of Galicia from 926 and until his death in 929. He was the eldest son of Ordoño II, (c. 873-924) who king of Galicia from 910, and king of Galicia and León from 914 until his death.

Later, Sancho Ordóñez (before 1042- c.1080), a count who lived in the 11th-century. His father was Ordoño Bermúdez, an illegitimate son of King Bermudo II of León.

Early History of the Ortiz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ortiz research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1227, 1455, 1503, 1500, 1480, 1520, 1508, 1510, 1570 and 1545 are included under the topic Early Ortiz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ortiz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ortiz, Hortiz, Fortiz, Fortes, Hortóñez, Hortoñez, Ordóñez, Ordoñez and many more.

Early Notables of the Ortiz family (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the family were García Ordóñez, Count of Nájera in the late eleventh century; Garci Ordóñez de Villamayor, a twelfth century Aragonese nobleman; Elfa Ortiz, a noblewoman of Albarracin and her son García (in 1227 his brother was betrothed to the daughter of the King of Navarre; if his brother died García would marry her). Also of note were Alonso Ortiz (1455-1503), a Spanish humanist writer, Canon of Toledo in 1500; Bartolomé Ordóñez (c. 1480-1520), a Spanish sculptor who lived much of his life...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ortiz Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ortiz migration +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ortiz Settlers in United States in the 16th Century

Nicknames Explainedpuerto Rican Genealogy Sites

• Francisco Ortiz de Vergara, a conquistador from Seville who accompanied Alvar Núñez to Paraguay in 1542
• Francisco Ortiz, who immigrated to Nicaragua in 1560
• Catalina Ortiz, who landed in Guatemala in 1560
• María Ortiz, settled in Honduras in 1563
• Pedro Ortiz, who arrived in Chile in 1565
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ortiz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Antonio Ortiz, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1803 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[1]}
• Romualdo Ortiz, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1803 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[1]}
• Isabel Ortiz, who landed in America in 1811 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[1]}
• Bernardino Ortiz, who arrived in America in 1812 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[1]}
• Cristobal Ortiz, who arrived in America in 1813 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[1]}
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ortiz (post 1700) +

• Carlos Escobar Ortíz (b. 1989), Chilean footballer
• Elín Ortiz (1934-2016), Puerto Rican actor, comedian and producer
• Emmanuel Ortiz (b. 1974), Chicano/Puerto Rican/Irish-American activist and poet
• Deborah Ortiz (b. 1957), American politician, state senator from California
• Danny Ortiz (1976-2004), Guatemalan football player
• Carlos Ortiz Longo (b. 1962), Puerto Rican-American health care manager for NASA
• Humberto 'Beto' Ortiz Pajuelo (b. 1978), Peruvian-American journalist, TV personality, and writer
• Carlos Ortiz (b. 1936), Puerto Rican boxer, three time world boxing champion
• Bernardo Ortiz de Montellano (1899-1949), Mexican writer and Contemporáneos magazine founder
• Ana Alicia Ortiz (b. 1956), Mexican-born, American actress, best known for her role on the soap opera Falcon Crest
• ... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Related Stories +

Citations +

1. ^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)