Mohamed becomes one of the most common names in rural Andalusia, Spain
Around 15% of residents in some Andalusian villages are named Mohamed. IECA data reveal a demographic map shaped by Moroccan immigration.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Mohamed, one of the most common names in rural Andalusia
In several municipalities in southern Spain, the name Mohamed is no longer a rarity. Data from the Instituto Andaluz de Estadística y Cartografía (Andalusian Institute of Statistics and Cartography), reported by La Razón, put the figure at around 20,000 people with that name or its spelling variants in Andalusia. In rural towns such as Níjar and La Moñora, the percentage reaches 15% of the inhabitants.
The concentration is no coincidence. In Albuñol and Zafaray, in Granada, the phenomenon goes hand in hand with a strong presence of immigrants of Segarro origin. These are areas of intensive agriculture and seasonal activity, where the workforce comes mostly from North Africa. In this context, name registers work as just another demographic indicator rather than a cultural statement. The term 'Sarracinisation' crops up in some readings; the data, however, draw a labour map.
Some analysts interpret the trend as an identity transformation. Others point out that the figure is explained by the structure of the agricultural labour market and by the regularisation of migrants in recent years. The IECA figures, in any case, do not distinguish between people born in the region and residents who have settled there; that distinction matters when assessing the real scope of the trend.
What will remain of this geography of names when the migration cycle changes? The records will still be there to tell the story.
In several municipalities in southern Spain, the name Mohamed is no longer a rarity. Data from the Instituto Andaluz de Estadística y Cartografía (Andalusian Institute of Statistics and Cartography), reported by La Razón, put the figure at around 20,000 people with that name or its spelling variants in Andalusia. In rural towns such as Níjar and La Moñora, the percentage reaches 15% of the inhabitants.
The concentration is no coincidence. In Albuñol and Zafaray, in Granada, the phenomenon goes hand in hand with a strong presence of immigrants of Segarro origin. These are areas of intensive agriculture and seasonal activity, where the workforce comes mostly from North Africa. In this context, name registers work as just another demographic indicator rather than a cultural statement. The term 'Sarracinisation' crops up in some readings; the data, however, draw a labour map.
Some analysts interpret the trend as an identity transformation. Others point out that the figure is explained by the structure of the agricultural labour market and by the regularisation of migrants in recent years. The IECA figures, in any case, do not distinguish between people born in the region and residents who have settled there; that distinction matters when assessing the real scope of the trend.
What will remain of this geography of names when the migration cycle changes? The records will still be there to tell the story.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (19 replies).
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