American Names

   In 1990, of the 15 most popular family names in America, all were Anglo-Saxon. None were Hispanic, or Irish, or Polish, or even German, which was the most widely cited country of origin mentioned.
   Ten years later, four Hispanic names appeared on the list compiled by the U.S. Census. And in the 2010 Census, there were six.
   The top five are still English names -- Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown and Jones. But Garcia has moved to sixth place in the top 15, bypassing Miller and Davis.
   Slots nine through thirteen are now occupied by Rodriguez, Martinez, Hernandez, Lopez, and Gonzalez.
   What does it all mean? First, that the Hispanic population in America is expanding. But that doesn't mean they're in America illegally. Spanish names have been common here since long before 1620, when the Pilgrims arrived from England. Moreover, many areas derive their state names from Spanish, including Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Montana, Colorado, Nevada and, of course, New Mexico. Plus Puerto Rico, which has commonwealth status and whose residents hold American citizenship.
   People of Spanish heritage have been part of America since the earliest colonial days, and many segments of the population, including the Hispanic cohort, have been expanding, both among those who have lived here for many generations, as well as newcomers.
   America has never been a melting pot, despite the popularity of that phrase. Rather, this nation is a kaleidoscope of many different groups, ethnic and cultural. To expect newcomers as well as those families already here to abandon their history and heritage and conform to one whose members claim they and they alone represent a "real" American tradition is short-sighted and unrealistic, sometimes crossing a line into bigotry.