In Latin America, middle names are not used with the same relevance as surnames. We give importance to both our father’s and our mother’s surnames. Yet, children are traditionally given two first names. Most Latin Americans only use their first name. But, in some instances, the second name blends with the first into a single phonetic unit. That’s why we have names like Juan Carlos, María Elena, or José Antonio.

My middle name is Enrique, the Latin version of the Germanic name Heimrich, which means “Lord of his House.” The English version is Henry. It was my grandfather’s name, so my parents decided I should inherit it as well. Almost no one calls me by my middle name. Only my father uses it when he wants to get my attention about something.