Paz (Spanish)
I read a name in a magazine, it was something like Maria Paz Gonzalez [it was a different (Spanish) last name, but I forgot it]. Now I wonder, is Paz used as a first name in Spanish speaking countries, or is it part of her last name?I googled and found both several Maria Paz Somethings as well as Esteban Paz Something and Jorge Paz Something. So I assume, if it is a first name, it is unisex? Can it also stand on its own?*****

This message was edited 1/4/2007, 3:51 PM

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Paz means 'peace' in Spanish. The *noun* is feminine. However, I would think that the *name* can be used for boys as well, similar to other names that signify a devotion to Virgin Mary (Rosario, Pilar, or even Maria).This is just an educated guess. I hope Lumia shows up to answer that.

This message was edited 1/4/2007, 4:46 PM

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As first name, nowadays Paz is only used for girls, usually in the compound form María Paz or María de la Paz.Maybe it was used as masculine as other Virgin Mary's names (the use of Maria in masculine is special, because it always appears in compound names and in the second spot), but I have not proofs of that use.Paz (and "de Paz" and "de la Paz") is also a surname, so Jorge Paz González, e.g., is a man named Jorge, with first surname Paz and second surname González.
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Thank you!
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