nombre único
/nombɾe uniko/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "unique name" is nombre único.
This phrase refers to a name that is different from all others and is not shared by anyone else.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nombre, meaning "name" and único, meaning "unique" or "only".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "unique names", you must change both the noun and the adjective by adding the plural suffix -s, resulting in nombres únicos.
Did you know?
- In spoken Spanish, nombre can be a contraction of ¡no, hombre!, which is an exclamation used to express disbelief or surprise. This meaning is completely unrelated to the word for 'name'.
- Historically, choosing a nombre único that strayed from traditional religious names was often discouraged by the Catholic Church in Spanish-speaking regions.
- While nombre único describes rarity, Spanish naming customs often include two surnames, which naturally makes a full legal name more unique than names in English-speaking cultures.
Examples in context
- Me encanta tu nombre, Camila, es muy especial.I love your name, Camila, it's very unique.
- Ella tiene un nombre único.She has a unique name.
- Busco un nombre único para mi bebé.I am looking for a unique name for my baby.
- Ese es un nombre único y especial.That is a unique and special name.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a character for a new book.
- Lucía¿Crees que este es un nombre único?Do you think this is a unique name?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, me parece un nombre único.Yes, Lucía, it seems like a unique name to me.
- LucíaMe alegra que te guste.I'm glad you like it.
- AlejandroEs perfecto para el personaje.It is perfect for the character.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nombre, único, CC BY-SA 4.0.
