American Culture - Naming - Kiến Thức Cho Người lao Động Việt Nam

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American names generally follow English naming conventions. However, this may vary depending on one’s , or family background (see below).

English naming conventions arrange names as follows: [first given name] [middle given name(s)] [FAMILY NAME]. For example, Bradley Justin BROWN (male) or Jacqueline Casey SMITH (female).
One’s ‘first name’, known as a ‘personal name’ or ‘given name’, is chosen at birth as the individual’s personal identifier. It always comes before the family name.
The ‘family name’, known as a ‘surname’ or ‘last name’, is inherited from one’s parents and shared with other members of the individual’s .
Most American names are traditionally patrilineal, whereby children are given their father’s family name.
Some parents may choose to give their children a hyphenated surname that contains both the surname of the mother and father (e.g. Bradley Justin WILSON-BROWN).
It is traditional for American women to adopt their husband’s family name at marriage. However, this is not an enforced rule.
Many Americans also have a ‘middle name’, which is a secondary given name written between the person’s first name and their family name. For example, Emma Marie CLARKSON’s middle name is ‘Marie’.
Middle names are optional and are rarely used in daily life. However, most Americans have one or multiple.
Generational suffixes may be used to distinguish persons who share the same name within a family. The most common name suffixes are senior and junior, which are abbreviated as Sr. and Jr. For example, Henry DAVIS Jr. is the son of Henry DAVIS Sr.

Hispanic or Latino Americans may have names that follow Spanish naming customs: [personal name(s)] [father’s family name] [mother’s family name]. For example, Oscar Luis HERNANDEZ GARCIA (male) and Maria ARROYO GARCIA (female).
Some people may have two given names, yet go by the first on its own. For example, Oscar Luis may be known as simply ‘Oscar’, but never ‘Luis’.
The father’s family name is often used alone as the person’s surname. For example, Maria ARROYO GARCIA may be known as Maria ARROYO. However, it is uncommon to use the mother’s family name like this.
The family names may be formatted using the Spanish custom of adding a ‘y’ (meaning “and”) between their mother’s name and father’s name (e.g. Maria ARROYO y GARCIA).
Women may change their name at marriage by adding the husband’s father’s family name to the end or their name, with a ‘de’ to conjoin it, or replacing their mother’s family name with this. For example, if Maria ARROYO GARCIA married Oscar Luis HERNANDEZ GARCIA she may be known as Maria ARROYO GARCIA de HERNANDEZ or Maria ARROYO de HERNANDEZ.
Many Hispanic or Latino women choose not to change their names at marriage, keeping their original family name.

American personal names are commonly chosen for aesthetic appeal. Many popular names have biblical roots (e.g. Daniel, Michael, David, James, Matthew). Others are influenced by popular culture. For example, female names like Tiffany and Crystal gained popularity as certain luxury items with similar names did.
French names are particularly popular among black American families (e.g. Monique, Chantal, André).
It is common for a person’s middle name to be the person name of a close relative.
The Census Bureau found the most common surnames in America to be SMITH, JOHNSON, WILLIAMS, BROWN, JONES, MILLER and DAVIS.
Many Americans have last names that reflect European or Jewish migration (e.g. MUELLER, SCHNIEDER, COHEN).
Common surnames among black families include WILLIAMS, JACKSON, HARRIS and ROBINSON.
Some of the most common Hispanic surnames are GARCIA, RODRIQUEZ, MARTINEZ, HERNANDEZ, LOPEZ and GONZALEZ.

Americans generally address one another verbally by the first name alone.
In formal and professional situations, people may use a person’s title (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms., Doctor, etc.) followed by their family name.
Middle names are almost never used to address a person, unless quoted on formal/legal documentation.
Some Americans address each other by their last name alone. For example, a friend may call a man named John SMITH just ‘Smith’ without including ‘Mr.’. A boss may also address an employee in this way depending on their relationship.
Americans may form nicknames for each other by picking out a trait or characteristic of a person and using it as their social identifier. For example, if everyone in the room is from New York and only one man in the room is from Iowa, he may be addressed lightheartedly as ‘Iowa’. Such nicknames are only used if it is clearly in jest and the situation is casual. Improper use can be interpreted as condescending.

American Culture – Naming