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Understanding the naming conventions of non-European cultures is important for an investigator or anyone wishing to certainly and correctly identify people in our diverse country. The following column is an attempt to assist the reader in correctly applying the conventions of uniquely ethnic names so identification is possible. This article should not be interpreted as indicating any unusual prevalence of any specific ethnic group toward unlawful or immoral activities, since no such intention exists. In each issue of The John Cooke Insurance Fraud Report, we will explore the mysteries of the naming practices of many ethnic cultures. In this issue we look at Argentinean names.
Argentina, by USA standards, is a somewhat young country. The population of Argentina was extremely sparse until a large-scale immigration process occurred between 1880 and 1950. By the end of the 19th century, 70 percent of the population was not originally from Argentina. Approximately 50 percent of the immigrants came from Spain, 40 percent came from Italy and the rest came from France, Germany, Poland, Turkey and some Middle Eastern countries.
During the same period of time, intermarriage has been common, and today’s society is now somewhat blended.
Argentina does not have any new immigrant communities. Buenos Aires does not have a Chinatown section; nor will you find a Russian enclave. Almost all Argentineans are … Argentineans.
Almost every person has two names. Long ago, it was common to name the first son after his father or grandfather (prior to 1960), but since that time, names are chosen more for “fashion” than for ancestral honor.
Common Names of the 50s – Male: Jose, Sergio, Andres, Diego;
Female: Maria, Monica, Silvia, Silvina
Common Names of the 60s – Male: Gustavo, Eduardo, Gaston, Alejandro; Female: Monica, Sandra, Lucia, Maria+ (mainly a short name like Pia, Paz or Marta.) Rarely would a woman be named just Maria. This is one name that is usually followed with another name: Maria Paz, Maria Pia, etc.
Common Names of the 70s – Male: Juan + (Crusz, Manuel, Pablo);
Female: Alejandra, Eugenia, Marie+
Common Names of the 80s – Male: Manuel, Agustin, Juan + (same
as the 70s); Female: Lorena, Paula, Paela, Agustina
SOME REMARKS
It is NOT a rule, but name and surname can sometimes provide a tip about the social condition of the person. There are some names that would almost NEVER be used by anyone other than the lower class.
Examples of such names are: Male: Juan Domingo (from the 40s up until the present). Diego (from the 80s up until the present);
Female: Rosa, Maria, Karina, Gladys
These names are generally interpreted as belonging to people of the lower class. Again, this is NOT a RULE, simply an indication or a tip.
SURNAMES
Argentineans generally use only one surname, and it follows paternal lines. In the few cases when both the father’s surname and the mother’s surname are used, it is mainly because of a very common father’s surname.
The most common surnames are from Spain: Perez, Garcia, Gomez, Lopez, Fernandez. Thus, if the father’s surname is Perez, and the mother’s surname is Fernandez, the child will very likely be known by the surname Perez-Fernandez. This is basically done solely to avoid misunderstanding with the other hundreds of Perez names.
If a woman gets married, she may choose to: a) retain her single surname (father’s surname or father and mother) b) retain her single surname plus “de” (of) and her husband’s surname. c) use her husband’s surname (not so common).
Among upper or business class women, the bride will rarely take her husband’s name. She retains her own single surname. Women who do choose to take their husband’s surname are more commonly non-working (housewife) or lower class. Again, this is NOT a rule, but seems to be the common practice.
DNI NUMBERS
The National Identity Document, abbreviated as a DNI number, is somewhat similar to the Social Security Number in the US. Everyone legally residing in Argentina applies for, and receives, a number. The DNI system began about 1970. Prior to that time, males had “Libreta de Enrolamiento” numbers (translates to “Book of Recruitment”) and females had “Libreta Civica” numbers (translates to civic book). When DNI began, those that had the old numbers kept them and they were entered into the new system. For those individuals born prior to the early 1950s, the highest number was about 7,000,000. (Example, Tony was born in 1960 and was assigned a number in the range of 14,000,000.) Currently, numbers are being issued in the 40,000,000 range. A newborn child is required to be registered (and the number applied for) within a very short time of birth – a matter of a few days. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
Note: Legal aliens are issued a DNI number beginning with a 92. These are people legally residing in the country – but who have immigrated from their birth country.
ABOUT ILLEGALS
There are many illegals from Peru and Bolivia and some from Brazil. They formerly lived together in unofficial “towns” (called favelas), although currently you will find some residing in other areas as well. Government officers say there is a relation between illegals and crime (which is a very big problem in Buenos Aires), but others dissent.
If an illegal goes to the government offices and applies for Argentinean documents, they are commonly granted (and the 92 number is assigned). It is similar to the Amnesty program in the US (under which so many illegals applied a number of years ago), except in the case of Argentina, it is ongoing. The general rule of thumb is that the illegal lives and works in the country for a while, establishes a record of employment for a few years, and then goes to apply. Such applications are almost always granted.
Sometimes, there are roundups of illegals (those who have arrived more recently and who have not yet gone through the process of documentation), and they are deported to their own countries. Again, this is similar to an INS sweep in the United States.
The most common name in Argentina is Juan Perez. This would be equivalent to John Smith or James Johnson in the US. In the case of a “John Doe,” the person would be referred to as a Juan Perez.
Verrrrrry Interrrrrresting….. Magoya, Mongo and Montoto are faked surnames used formally in Argentina to say “Nobody.” (eg. “Magoya will pay the bill” or “Mongo takes care of it.”) It’s kind of a national joke. We mention this because if a receipt is presented for payment that is signed by Magoya, Mongo or Montoto, it is not a real receipt. It may have been filled out by a fraudster who is attempting to add a dash of insult to the injury.
Our thanks to JCIFR subscriber Antonio Bunader of Buenos Aires for the majority of this information on Argentinean names. Investigators with additional questions are invited to contact Antonio Bunader. He can be reached via e-mail: agus@movi.com.ar and may be willing to assist on other Argentinean investigations as well.
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Editor’s Note: Mea culpa. In our last issue, we discussed Hebrew names. Somehow, our main contributor’s name was cut off the bottom of the article prior to printing. We’d like to make up for that now by thanking Michael Giron, one of our subscribers from Israel. Michael can be contacted via e-mail at m_giron@netvision.net.il and will gladly answer questions from other investigators or fraud-fighting personnel.
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