While first names are often unique, your last name will generally be the name that ties you to your family heritage. Costa Rican last names are no different. In fact, one could argue that Costa Rican last names point to more family history than many other last names. That is because they are tied to both the mother and the father. Let’s dive into the history and meaning of Costa Rican last names.
Spanish Influence on Costa Rica
From the 1500s to 1821, Costa Rica was a Spanish colony, not a sovereign democratic country as it is today. Located in Central America, it has beautiful terrain, with enticing beaches and vast rainforests. Its relatively inaccessible terrain meant it was less susceptible to political or military change. Following its independence from Spain in 1821, Costa Rica was among other newly independent Central American countries that together formed the United Provinces of Central America. However, after a series of civil wars and other disagreements among the republics, that coalition collapsed. Costa Rica became fully independent from the Central America provinces in 1848.
Why Do Costa Ricans Have Two Last Names?
With centuries of Spanish influence and the largest percentage of people of Spanish descent in Central America, it is no wonder that Costa Rican surnames reflect Spanish naming practices. These practices usually involve the use of two last names—the father’s surname followed by the mother’s surname.
Let’s break it down. Costa Ricans typically have two given names and two surnames. It is traditional to give the child the first surname of each parent. So, if Mateo Thiago Vargas Gonzalez and Mariana Sofia Solano Morales have a son named Juan Carlos, the son’s full name would be Juan Carlos Vargas Solano. Juan Carlos would receive the last name Vargas from his father and the last name Solano from his mother.
In this system, we also know the last names of all four of Juan Carlos’s grandparents. Juan Carlos’s father, Mateo, received the last name Vargas from his father and the last name Gonzalez from his mother. Juan Carlos’s mother, Mariana, received the last name Solano from her father and the last name Morales from her mother. This image illustrates this family and which grandparent Juan Carlos inherited each of his surnames from.
In many cultures, a woman takes the last name of her husband when she is married. However, in Costa Rica and other countries with Spanish influence, the woman keeps her maiden surname even when she’s married. In some cases, she might opt to add her husband’s last name—though this change happens informally, and court records would not reflect it. This addition is usually done by adding “de” and the husband’s first surname to the woman’s name.
Using the couple mentioned above, if Mariana Sofia Solano Morales married Mateo Thiago Vargas Gonzalez, and Mariana wanted to informally use her husband’s surname, her name would be Mariana Sofia Solano Morales de Vargas.
Changing Traditional Surname Practices
This traditional surname practice is beginning to change for some Costa Ricans. In 2024, Costa Rica’s Supreme Court ruled that placing the father’s surname first, before the mother’s, is no longer required. Some people may choose to do it, but others may not. Using two surnames is still required by law, but the order of the surnames can be changed.
Non-Spanish Surnames
While many Costa Rican surnames follow Spanish customs, Costa Rican surnames can also reflect indigenous heritage. Surnames with indigenous roots can refer to trees, animals, or land features. For example, surnames such as Montoya or Valle may refer to a mountain or valley where the family lived. In some cases, surnames reflect other European roots than Spanish. Waves of immigrants from France, Germany, and Italy came for job opportunities or to escape political upheavals, especially during the 19th century.
Common Last Names in Costa Rica
Many last names in Costa Rica end in es, ez, is, or oz, which means “son of.” For example, one of the most common surnames in Costa Rica is Rodriguez, which means “son of Rodrigo.”
Here are some last names you might commonly find in Costa Rica:
| Arroyo | Blanco |
| Castro | Cruz |
| Delgado | Gomez |
| Gonzalez | Hernandez |
| Jimenez | Mendez |
| Mora | Nuñez |
| Ramirez | Rivera |
| Rodriguez | Rojas |
| Sanchez | Solano |
| Solis | Vargas |
A Glimpse into Costa Rican First Names
By now, you know that Spain had a lot of influence on Costa Rican surnames. The country also influenced Costa Rican first names, and many Costa Rican first names have religious and historical ties to Spain. Here are some common first names in Costa Rica. Note the allusions to Biblical names such as Joseph, Mary, Anna, and the angel Gabriel.
Male Names | Female Names |
| José | Maria |
| Santiago | Sofia |
| Carlos | Valentina |
| Gabriel | Ana |
| Rafael | Rosa |
Your Costa Rican Heritage
Names are only the beginning! There’s so much to learn about Costa Rica and your heritage. The FamilySearch wiki has a series of articles to help you learn more about your Costa Rican heritage and genealogy:
- Costa Rica Genealogy
- Costa Rica Online Genealogy Records
- Costa Rica Archives and Libraries
- Costa Rica Naming Customs
In addition to providing access to millions of family history records and helping you build your family tree, FamilySearch also has many free resources and activities to help you discover your personal history. Join your family or others in a fun activity to explore the origins and meanings of your names.
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