In Spain, the issue of surname order has long been a topic of debate, but this year it unexpectedly came to the forefront due to a journalists’ initiative. The editorial team at one of the country’s leading publications decided to change the usual format for bylines in order to highlight the role of mothers in shaping identity. This decision marked a significant step toward equality and sparked an active discussion about family traditions and women’s rights.
Typically, Spanish media outlets sign journalistic materials using only the first surname—the paternal one. However, this time, according to El Pais, El Diario de Sevilla published all articles leading up to March 8 with the initial of the first surname and the mother’s surname written out in full. This approach was proposed by female staff members and supported by the entire team. The main goal is to pay tribute to women, whose surnames often remain in the background, and to recognize mothers’ contributions to society.
Changes in traditions
In Spain, until 2017, the father’s surname was always placed first when registering a child. After legislative changes, parents gained the right to choose the order of surnames, but most still follow the traditional arrangement. According to the latest data, only 0.5% of families opt to put the mother’s surname first. This shows that, despite formal equality, habits change slowly.
In other European countries, the situation is developing differently. In Italy, since 2022, parents have been free to choose which surname to give the child first — the father’s, the mother’s, or both at once. In Portugal and Brazil, the rules are even more flexible: surnames can be combined in any order, allowing unique family lines to be preserved. These changes reflect a growing interest in questions of identity and equality in society.
Personal stories and motives
For many Spaniards, choosing a surname is not just a formality, but a way to show respect for their roots. Some journalists deliberately use both surnames to emphasize the significance of the maternal line. One example is a staff member at a Catalan publication who began signing articles with both surnames as a gesture of gratitude to his mother for her support during a difficult time. Such stories are becoming more visible and inspire others to reflect on the importance of family values.
Newsrooms discuss not only the technical details related to changing bylines but also the symbolic meaning of such a step. According to representatives of El Diario de Sevilla, the initiative was seen as a way to make women less invisible and to remember those who made sacrifices for family and society. Publications noted that many women have to balance work and caring for their loved ones, and their contribution often goes unnoticed.
Public reaction and consequences
The decision to highlight maternal surnames sparked a strong response among readers and fellow professionals. Some supported the change, seeing it as an important step toward equality, while others questioned the need to alter established traditions. Nevertheless, the initiative has already gained recognition and, as El Pais notes, is expected to be repeated next year.
In some families, the order of surnames becomes a subject of serious discussion. Sometimes parents compromise to preserve a rare surname or emphasize the importance of the maternal line. Legal changes have brought more freedom, but most people continue to choose the customary order, wary of disrupting family traditions.
Context and related events
In recent years, issues of equality in family traditions have been increasingly discussed in Spain and across Europe. For example, Germany and France have launched similar initiatives to change the order of surnames when registering children. Various regions of Spain have also campaigned to preserve rare surnames and prevent them from disappearing. These trends reflect a broader shift toward recognizing women’s contributions to society and a desire for a more balanced division of family roles. Such changes have become part of the wider debate on rights and identity in modern society.
