Message: "Re: You're joking with Flor Branca but..."

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Re: You're joking with Flor Branca but...

by Catarina (kollaps)

6/6/2008, 7:49 AM

in reply to a message by MariaNikolaievnaRomanova

It's considered to be tacky because we don't have a big tradition in mixing given names with "people" names. The combination of Rosa Branca is therefore discredited because of its obvious reference to "a thing". Both names are used separately, but usually preceded or followed by Maria, which personifies them.

This message was edited 6/6/2008, 7:52 AM

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- MariaNikolaievnaRomanova (MariaNikolaievnaRoma) +1

6/6/2008, 7:55 AM

Ahhh, ok. I understand now. So, Maria Rosa or Maria Branca would be acceptable, but not Rosa Branca? Is this in the Portuguese culture? (I like learning about naming traditions in other cultures, is why I ask.)

- Catarina (kollaps)

6/6/2008, 8:15 AM

Yes, pretty much. Rosa and Branca might be used with other names as well, not necessarily with Maria, although it is the most common combination. With the younger generations the naming customs have changed significantly, but there was a time when about 75% of the women in Portugal were named Maria - and then known by their second name, usually.

Edit:
I can only be assertive about my country's culture, but (from my experience) I think it is fairly similar in Spain. At least in Galicia and other bordering communities. The Basque Country and Catalonia, for instance, have a very different naming culture.

This message was edited 6/6/2008, 8:17 AM

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