Lorraine Williamson
In Spain, surnames like García and Fernández are among the most common. But another, far less familiar name is in danger of disappearing. Anteportamlatinam—a surname with 17 letters and seven syllables—is the rarest in the country.
Only 35 people in Spain currently carry the name, and it’s so rare that the National Institute of Statistics (INE) omits it from public listings due to “statistical secrecy”. Just 15 Spaniards have it as their first surname.
In a recent post on X, the official account of Castilla y León drew attention to the name’s uniqueness:
“The rarest surname in Spain? It’s not García or Fernández: it’s Anteportamlatinam, whose origin comes from Soria. Only 35 people still carry it, a legacy at risk of disappearing.”
From Soria to Madrid: One woman’s discovery
The surname originates from the province of Soria but has spread due to migration to larger cities. One of its few bearers is Esther Anteportamlatinam Valero, a 35-year-old woman from Soria who now lives in Madrid.
Esther only learned how rare her surname was after it was mentioned during an online conversation about unusual names on X (formerly Twitter). That post sparked a personal journey. Through digital platforms, she managed to connect with others who share the name—some of whom she had never met before.
Everyday life with a seventeen-letter surname
As a child, Esther sometimes found her surname a burden. It made her stand out in class and on official documents. But as she grew older, she began to appreciate its uniqueness.
In daily life, she often simplifies things by using her middle surname, Valero, when booking restaurants or filling in forms. At times, though, the name attracts surprising recognition. On one occasion, while reserving a book at FNAC in Madrid, a staff member immediately recognised and wrote down her surname without hesitation.
Not all situations are so straightforward. During a visa application for a trip to Saudi Arabia, the form couldn’t accommodate the full name, requiring a special procedure.
Religious origin, institutional assignment
The name Anteportamlatinam has religious roots. It refers to the site in Rome—the Latin Gate—where, according to legend, the evangelist John survived being thrown into boiling oil. The event was considered miraculous and associated with a specific religious calendar date.
However, in Esther’s family, the story is less miraculous and more bureaucratic. Her great-grandfather was an orphan admitted to a hospice. Like many children without known parentage, he was assigned a surname based on the name day, and so Anteportamlatinam became part of the family’s history.
Preserving a disappearing legacy
Esther is one of only three people in her extended family who have Anteportamlatinam as a first surname. That includes her brother and one cousin. This scarcity brings with it a certain responsibility.
She has made it clear to her partner that, should they have children, her surname must come first. In doing so, she hopes to help preserve the legacy of one of Spain’s rarest family names.
These names are forbidden to give your child in Spain