Spanish Supreme Court rejects name change for Villanueva de Castellón

The Spanish Supreme Court has issued a definitive ruling rejecting the attempt by the municipality of Villanueva de Castellón to change its official name to Castelló in Valencian. The court dismissed an appeal filed by the local council, upholding a previous decision by the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community.

The ruling cites a real and effective risk of confusion with the provincial capital, Castelló de la Plana. Evidence presented indicated that the name change had already caused administrative errors, including hundreds of misdirected digital filings to the provincial capital between March and June 2021.

The municipality, located in the Ribera Alta region, has faced a long history of naming disputes. Since 1982, the town has cycled through various names, including Villanueva de Castellón, Vilanova de Castelló, and Castelló de la Ribera, often resulting in social division and legal challenges regarding linguistic normalization and administrative clarity.