Recently I’ve been crushing on the name [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f] as a possible middle name for a daughter. I love it so much: the melodic, lilting sound, the lovely meaning (“hope”), the floral connotation ([name_f]Esperanza[/name_f] is one of the formal names for a beautiful yellow-flowered plant also known as “yellow bells”, which grows in the area where I live).
Here is the thing: since it IS a Spanish name, would it be considered offensive to use it on a very Anglo-[name_m]Saxon[/name_m]/white baby? [name_m]Even[/name_m] as a middle name? I grew up and currently live in central [name_u]Texas[/name_u] and, while I’m very familiar with (and love) the local Hispanic culture, I would not want to seem insensitive.
Mentally I’m grasping at a line of Spanish ancestry in my family that I only discovered a few years ago while doing research. 
It’s a ways up in my lineage, many generations back, but I feel like choosing a Spanish name could possibly legitimately tie into that.
Thoughts/advice?
I’ve seen this question come up for this name several times, so clearly it’s a very appealing name to non-Spanish Americans! I think that, because you have some Spanish ancestry, it’s fine. If you speak Spanish as well, I think it’s definitely fine. And as a middle name, I can’t imagine that there will ever realistically be any issues with it. As a first, it could be iffy because some people would almost certainly assume that [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f] speaks Spanish, but as a middle, I really don’t think it’s a big deal.
I’m surprised so few people have commented on this so far! [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f] is a beautiful name. I can see why you have that hesitation though. I think you could absolutely use it as a middle name, no qualms whatsoever about that.
I don’t think it’s the best idea to give your Anglo-[name_m]Saxon[/name_m] daughter the first name [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f], though. I asked my Hispanic girlfriend about this and she said it would be fine for a middle name but it would be a strange choice for a first name. (She also had concerns about it being pronounced properly.) So, yes on the middle, no on the first.
I think it’s a pretty name. I don’t see why you can’t use it as a first or middle name. Thousands of people have names from cultures/languages/etc. that they don’t have any ties to.
If you had no Spanish heritage, I would say no. Since you [name_f]DO[/name_f] have Spanish heritage (somewhat tenuous, but it’s there), I think you could get away with it. On the other hand, if you live in an area with such a large Hispanic population, it might still be odd, because all sorts of things would be assumed about your daughter.
I also like the Catalan form Esperança, for what it’s worth!
I love it and think its fine for first or middle. My kids are, and any future kids, will be mixed race so could “pull it off” as it were even with no spanish in them whatsoever
I think in our world of crossing cultural backgrounds, it’s totally fine. [name_u]Blake[/name_u] Lively and [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] [name_m]Reynolds[/name_m] named their newest [name_f]Ines[/name_f] and no one seems to be questioning that. I have a friend who’s husband is part Filipino and they named their little girl [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f], they call her Espie or [name_f]Essie[/name_f] for short and I think those are both cute nns!
I love [name_f]Esperanza[/name_f]! I think it’s totally fine for a middle name. Personally, I think it’s fine to use names from different cultures as long as it isn’t offensive or has sacred or religious meanings particular to that culture. Although I do understand your hesitation. If we ever have a girl I would love to name her [name_f]Esmeralda[/name_f], but my husband is Mexican. If he was white, I probably wouldn’t use it as a first name tho.