# why is Jesus a common name in Spanish-speaking countries but nowhwere else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980 "2012-07-21T18:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/21 "2012-07-22T03:28:51Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > But English-speaking lands have all sorts of people named with some variation of “Christ” though: Chris, Krista, Christiane, Christopher, etc, etc, etc… Those aren’t really variations of Christ, though. Christian and its variants mean “one of the Christian faith”. And Christopher means “Christ-bearer”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/22 "2012-07-22T03:28:55Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > But English-speaking lands have all sorts of people named with some variation of “Christ” though: Chris, Krista, Christiane, Christopher, etc, etc, etc… But Christopher (Chris) is not _Kristos_. Christopher means “one who carries Christ in his soul”. The others are more like “Christian”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/23 "2012-07-22T03:31:53Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#): > > Yeah, that was noted above. I overstepped my generalization a bit much. But I did say a Caucasian with the _English_ pronunciation. I’m betting there are no Spaniards or Argentinians pronounced Jee-sus. And there are none (or almost none) with the English pronunciation of any name. Jesus in Spanish is hay-SUS. Just like David is dah-VEED and Steven is eh-STAY-bahn. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/24 "2012-07-22T07:25:52Z")
The female version, “Maria de Jesus,” is also quite common in Mexico. The most common nickname for such girls/women is “Chucha,” just as “Chucho” is one of the common nicknames for “Jesus.” I’m still curious about the OP’s excellent question – why taboo in many countries, why not taboo in Mexico and a few others? May just be the chance vagaries of history, but may be something more interesting, like some product of the synthesis of Spanish Catholic and indigenous traditions in Mexico (maybe something related to how some Indians adapted certain of their gods to specific Christian “deities,” including Jesus, and so maybe the tradition of naming some kids after the former god was transferred as well.) But I’ll let another Doper do the real research on this. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/25 "2012-07-22T15:59:37Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > The female version, “Maria de Jesus,” is also quite common in Mexico. The most common nickname for such girls/women is “Chucha,” just as “Chucho” is one of the common nicknames for “Jesus.” > > I’m still curious about the OP’s excellent question – why taboo in many countries, why not taboo in Mexico and a few others? May just be the chance vagaries of history, but may be something more interesting, like some product of the synthesis of Spanish Catholic and indigenous traditions in Mexico (maybe something related to how some Indians adapted certain of their gods to specific Christian “deities,” including Jesus, and so maybe the tradition of naming some kids after the former god was transferred as well.) But I’ll let another Doper do the real research on this. But Jesus is found as a name in Spain, too. Does that practice not predate the Colonial period? ---
**Author:** ![dan1500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dan1500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan1500)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/26 "2012-07-22T16:29:03Z")
It’s only one sample but I worked with a guy from the Philippines whose name was Jesus, pronounced what would be thought of as the typical Spanish way ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/27 "2012-07-22T17:00:35Z")
All I can say, is every single Jesus I met in junior high was a complete dick. I’m pretty sure I haven’t met one since. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/28 "2012-07-22T17:14:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But Jesus is found as a name in Spain, too. Does that practice not predate the Colonial period? Ah, good point. Carry on, then…mystery as yet unsolved! ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/29 "2012-07-23T01:08:59Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#): > > Maybe his mom didn’t want her parents to know she was having sex. Actually, his father told the mother that the son would be the next messiah, so they named him Jesus Christ accordingly. GG Allin grew up to be a punk rock frontman with borderline personality disorder whose act regularly included performing in only a jockstrap, defecating on stage, and smashing his face against the stage and walls until he was covered in his own blood. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/30 "2012-07-23T06:42:48Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > But are they the same name? > > Hispanics at my mothers church pronounce it differently: Jesus the plumber is pronounced ‘Hay-Zeus’, while Jesus the Savior is pronounced ‘Jee-sus’. Or is that difference in pronunciation just them adapting to a mostly Anglo congregation? They’re adapting to the Anglos, in Spanish it’s the same name. One of the reasons to choose a name is choosing a patron or protector for your child. What better protector than The Big Kahuna? In other places, it is not so used because you view it as “taking the Lord’s name in vain”, but many cultures use it more than they realize: for example, Emma is Jesusa… And usually the name **JKellyMap** mentions is not María de Jesús, it’s María Jesús. No de. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/31 "2012-07-23T07:26:27Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > They’re adapting to the Anglos, in Spanish it’s the same name. > > One of the reasons to choose a name is choosing a patron or protector for your child. What better protector than The Big Kahuna? > In other places, it is not so used because you view it as “taking the Lord’s name in vain”, but many cultures use it more than they realize: for example, Emma is Jesusa… > > And usually the name **JKellyMap** mentions is not María de Jesús, it’s María Jesús. No de. When referring to the Big Kahuna, don’t most Spanish speakers say “Jesus Cristo”? Rarely, if ever, have I known someone with the full name Jesus Cristo. Maybe the lack of “Cristo” makes it non-religous? I don’t know the answer to this or the OP, but it presents a good opportunity to dust off [this golden oldie](http://memearchive.net/memerial.net/3919/thanks-jesus-for-this-food.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/32 "2012-07-23T09:51:50Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > When referring to the Big Kahuna, don’t most Spanish speakers say “Jesus Cristo”? Rarely, if ever, have I known someone with the full name Jesus Cristo. Maybe the lack of “Cristo” makes it non-religous? Jesucristo, Jesús, Jesusito, Chus, el Niño Jesús… Cristo is not normally used as a firstname, but I know a family whose lastname is Cristo. Guess the firstname their firstborn male got for the last 23 generations. ---
**Author:** ![kob09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@kob09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kob09)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/33 "2012-07-23T10:01:13Z")
remember that the inquisition was called the “spanish” inquisition? Name your kids with VERY christian names was a way to show you do believe in the church and as such a protection. Spanish are still more catholic than most european countries ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/34 "2012-07-23T10:05:29Z")
No it wasn’t… the Spanish inquisition is called the Spanish inquisition in countries which are not Spain. First, at the time of “the Spanish inquisition”, Spain was several separate realms, which got different religious tribunals; not every realm got one, even. Second, the inquisitorial judicial methodology is a lot older than “the inquisition”. Second, religious tribunals were not invented in Spain. Third, the custom of naming boys Jesús is also a lot older than “the Spanish inquisition”. Fifth, the Inquisitions of some other countries considered calling your children Jesus “taking the Lord’s name in vain”. Those in Spain did not. ---
**Author:** ![Kamrusepas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@Kamrusepas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamrusepas)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/35 "2012-07-23T10:11:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You are correct. > > [Jesus (name) in other languages.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_%28name%29#Other_languages) > > I like Estonian and Finish: Jeesus. But those guys love their double vowels… We sure do. Jesus is not in use as a given name here, though (Finland). ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/36 "2012-07-23T10:49:00Z")
Emmanuel and JC are also derived from Jesus, though they are rather rare, I think Joshua is the only common one. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/37 "2012-07-23T11:42:28Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > And usually the name **JKellyMap** mentions is not María de Jesús, it’s María Jesús. No de. Right, my mistake. I was confusing it with “María de Lourdes”, which is the full name of most of the women/girls named Lourdes. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/38 "2012-07-23T12:26:26Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > Actually, his father told the mother that the son would be the next messiah, so they named him Jesus Christ accordingly. > > GG Allin grew up to be a punk rock frontman with borderline personality disorder whose act regularly included performing in only a jockstrap, defecating on stage, and smashing his face against the stage and walls until he was covered in his own blood. “Borderline” personality disorder? Man, that guy was fucked up, literally and figuratively. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/39 "2012-07-23T12:52:58Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > “Borderline” personality disorder? Man, that guy was fucked up, literally and figuratively. [Borderline Personality Disorder](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001931/) is an actual diagnosis, not meant as an adjective in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980/40 "2012-07-23T13:13:18Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Right, my mistake. I was confusing it with “María de Lourdes”, which is the full name of most of the women/girls named Lourdes. Yeah, we got tons of “María de” names (mine is one). Multi-word names confuse even us sometimes… I just sent back a contract to the contractor, who’d gotten my multi-word lastname wrong. He’s got a multi-word lastname too :smack: Does anybody know whether Hristo is Bulgarian for Christ? Thinking of Hristo Stoichov here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jesus-a-common-name-in-spanish-speaking-countries-but-nowhwere-else/628980.md?page=3)