Here’s the correct format:

This is the first thing you must consider when alphabetizing a set of names of persons. Check if the given names are written in the manner stated above. Otherwise, you have to arrange them.

Example:

Jonah Q. Santos

Ma. Theressa G. Panes

Juan F. Flores

Claresa Alex A. 

Tumpag

Sheila M. Cortez

Notice: the given names are not written in the way stated above. Thus, you need to arrange them in this manner:

Finally, we can now alphabetize the given names:

2. Names without a middle initial or middle name are filed first before the names with a middle initial or middle name

Some surnames have a prefix that precedes another word. Examples are Delos Reyes, Delos Santos, Dela Cruz, and Villa Roman.

Example:

Ma. Luz G. Delos Reyes

Vicky A. Del Monte

Guido Q. Santos

Armando S. Dimapula

Treat compound surnames as a single unit. Afterward, rewrite the given names such that the surname is written first:

4. Ignore the hyphen (-) in a hyphenated name

The hyphen can be found in the surname, first name, or middle name. The important thing here is to consider these hyphenated names as one unit only and ignore the hyphen.

Example:

Ma. Leticia U. Manansala-Patapat

Arnold G. Smith-Nomad

Antony Q. Toledo-Santiago

Adrian P. Ramos

Consider the hyphenated words as a single unit only (ignore the hyphen). Afterward, write the given names such that the surname is written first:

5. Name suffixes such as Jr. and Sr., as well as designations such as Ph.D. and CPA, are written as the last unit of the name

Suppose that the given name is Juan Gregorio F. Patapat, Sr.

Arrange the given name in this format:

Hence, the given name must be written as

Example:

Victor G. Cruz, Jr.

Ellen Q. Manansala, PhD.

Arnold D. Delos Santos, Sr.

Write the given names in the format Surname, First Name, Middle Name, Name Suffix. 

Afterward, alphabetize the given names.

The answer should be:

6. Name titles such as Mr., Mrs., Engr., Dr., Atty., are also written as the last unit of the name

In a case where a name has a title and a suffix, the suffix comes first before the title. 

For example, the name Dr. Ramon P. Manansala, Sr. must be arranged as Manansala, Ramon P. Sr. Dr.

Example:

Mr. Jonathan Delos Santos, Jr.

D

r. Anna Beth P. Dimaguiba

Alejandro G. Agustin

Atty. 

Jonathan Delos Santos, Sr.

Jonathan Delos Santos, Jr.

Rewrite the given names following the format:

Delos Santos, Jonathan Jr. 

Mr.

Dimaguiba, Anna Beth P. 

Dr.

Agustin, Alejandro G.

Delos Santos, Jonathan Sr. Atty.

Delos Santos, Jonathan Jr.

Finally, arrange the given names alphabetically.

7. If the business name has the name of the individual, write the business name in this format: Surname, First Name, Nature/Purpose of the business

Suppose that the given business name is Alicia Bernardo Dental Clinic. We must write the given business name as Bernardo Alicia Dental Clinic.

Example:

Alphabetize the following business names:

Michael Delos Reyes Bakeshop

Marco Tibay Computer Shop

Makati Clubhouse

Answer:

However, it is not necessary to transform business names with an individual’s name if that person is well-known.

8. When alphabetizing business names or organizations, ignore or drop the punctuation marks such as period(.), comma(,), apostrophe(‘), and hyphen(-)

For example, business names such as Brian’s Shop will be written as Brians Shop; Charmaine’s Beauty Parlor will be written as Charmaines Beauty Parlor; and Sasha-Ramon Bakeshop will be written as SashaRamon Bakeshop.

Example:

Carla’s Flower Shop

Golden 

Bank Incorporated

Anita Manansala Dental Clinic

Shiela’s Beauty Salon

Happy Place Milktea

Answer:

9. Ignore articles such as the, a, and an of a given business name or organization

Suppose that the given business name is The Downtown Laundry Shop. We will only write the given business name as Downtown Laundry Shop.

Example:

The Gamer’s Hut

All Around Toy Store

Jessie Cruz Consultancy Firm

James Harper Incorporated

A Korean Cuisine Spot

Answer: