Nombres En Nuevo Mejico Y La Sagrada Familia

There were numerous individuals named Jesus Maria y Jose, many of them, in the historical period in New Mexico. There were others named Jose Maria, Jesus Maria, Jose Jesus and Jesus Jose. This is not to mention that about 30% of the males, me included, has the name Jose attached, almost like a title instead of a name. The women had Maria attached the same way the men had Jose. There were many Jesusas, Maria Jesusas and Jesusa Maria's as well as Josefa and Josefina's and Maria Josefina's and Jesusa Josefa's.... You get the picture..


When the Americans got here in force, after the American conquest and occupation of the province they were surprised and disgusted that so many "debased" (their words) individuals would be given these names, especially when it seemed to the Americans that everyone had one name or the other. Their disgust with the names comes across real clear when you read the history. They did not appreciate our ancestors devotion to the Holy Family, especially the "Savior's" name itself. On occasion a criminal would show up with one of these names that the Americans found sacrilegious. That would get the writers of history all in a tizzy.


Sort of funny when we look back at it. At the time it was not so funny, especially when it would get the Americans to writing their real thoughts about our ancestors.


Reminds me of the bumper sticker with different meanings for Spanish speakers and American Christians. JESUS SAVES and JESUS SAVE are almost identical and in Spanish America everyone wants to know what Jesus knows.