Spain has a strong cultural influence all over the world, so it’s no question why many people are choosing to give their children Spanish first names. Spanish is the second-most spoken language, and there’s even a lively Spanish community in Australia.
If you’re thinking of a cool Spanish or Latino name for your baby, look no further. Here, you’ll learn about naming traditions, the varieties of names per region, and the 15 most popular Spanish male names.
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Spanish Naming Traditions
In Spain, it’s common for both guys and girls to have two to three first names, such as Carlos Alberto or Maria de las Mercedes. This practice arose from the Christian tradition – it’s believed that bearing the name of many saints grants a person greater protection from evil. When given long names like these, people usually use shorter nicknames, like Francisco or Luis. The Spanish are also known for using cute nicknames, like Chicharito.
Spanish Boy Names By Region
Spanish male names come in many variations, from badass to beautiful. But a name that’s famous in the capital may not be in vogue in other regions. Other parts of the country speak different languages (e.g. Galician, Catalan and Basque). Naturally, this also means that popular names vary per area.
For example, you’ll have Marc in Catalonia, while the rest of Spain will most likely use Marcos. You should also note the differences in spelling – names that start with J like Jose is spelled as Xosé in Galicia. People from Catalonia and Basque even pronounce “X” differently, like the English “sh.”
Top Spanish Boy Names
Whether you’re paying homage to your roots or simply looking for a cute name for your baby boy, these popular names make awesome choices. The list includes both traditional and modern Spanish names as well as their meanings.
15. Jon (YON)
While most of Spain would use “Juanito” or “Juan,” Yon is more often used in the autonomous community of Basque. All of these names are derived from the Hebrew name “Yochanan.” Multiple characters in the Bible bear this name, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle.
Famous Namesakes: Jon Bon Jovi (Singer), Jon Bellion (Rapper)
Origin: Scandinavian and Basque form of John (Hebrew)
Meaning: Yahweh is gracious
Most Popular In: Basque
14. Airam (ai-ram)
Airam is one of the most popular Canarian names and is one of the most common unisex given names in Spain.
Famous Namesakes: Airam Lopez Cabrera (Spanish football player)
Origin: Urdu
Meaning: Wished-for child
Most Popular In: The Canary Islands
13. Iker (EE-kuhr)
While Iker has been a popular name in northern Spain for a long time, it gained international popularity starting the 2010s thanks to Iker Casillas, the most capped player in the Spanish national team. He led the national team to win two European Championships and the World Cup.
Famous Namesakes: Iker Casillas (Spanish football player), Iker Flores (Spanish cyclist), Iker Muniain (Spanish footballer)
Origin: Basque equivalent of “visitación,” which references the visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth
Meaning: Visitation
Most Popular In: Basque
12. Daniel (da-NYEHL)
Daniel has been in one of the top 15 names for boys since 1972 and was the 4th most-popular name in Spain in 2017. Due to its popularity, though, it’s become a more generic choice. The name became popular because of the Biblical character Daniel, whose faith saved him after being thrown into a lions’ den.
Famous Namesakes: Daniel Defoe (English author), Daniel (Biblical figure), Daniel Boone (American pioneer)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my judge
Most Popular In: Nationwide
11. Hugo (OO-gho)
The second-most-popular baby name in Spain. It became more widely used starting in 2012, showing the continuing popularity of names without a Biblical origin.
Famous Namesakes: Hugo Chavez (late president of Venezuela), Hugo Boss (German fashion designer), Hugo Weaving (Australian actor)
Origin: Teutonic (ancient Germanic people)
Meaning: Bright in mind and spirit
Most Popular In: Catalonia
10. Léo (LEH-o)
Leo is popular among early Christian saints and popes. Six Byzantine emperors also used the name. It gained popularity in the US and other parts of the world starting the early 2000s.
Famous Namesakes: Leo Tolstoy (Russian novelist), Leonardo DiCaprio (American actor)
Origin: Spanish derivation of the Latin word Leo
Meaning: Lion
Most Popular In: Nationwide
9. Mateo (ma-TEH-o)
Like most Spanish names, Mateo it traces its origins from the Bible. One of the authors of the four canonical Gospels, Saint Matthew the Apostle dedicated his life to proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. In northern Spain, a harvest festival is named after the saint, and it’s often celebrated with a feast, wine and music.
Famous Namesakes: Mateo Aleman (Spanish novelist), Mateo Gil (Spanish film director) and Mateo Gago (son of footballer Fernando Gago)
Origin: Spanish version of Matthew (Hebrew) or Matt (USA)
Meaning: Gift of God
Most Popular In: Northern Spain
8. Antonio (an-TO-nyo)
Antonio is the name of the main character of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. While it’s still hailed as the most common name in Spain, it has become less popular amongst the youth. According to 2018 data, men with the name Antonio average at about 55.9 years old.
Famous Namesakes: Antonio Banderas (Spanish actor), Antonio Salandra (Italian Prime Minister), Antonio Aguilar (singer, actor and producer)
Origin: Spanish and Italian form of Antonius
Meaning: Italian or Portuguese for “priceless”
Most Popular In: Nationwide
7. Nicolás (nee-ko-LAS)
The name Nicolás became popular in the Christian world because of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia. He is known for saving young women from prostitution and was later named the patron saint of children. The saint is the inspiration behind Santa Claus, the bringer of Christmas presents.
Famous Namesakes: Nicolas Cage (American actor), Nicolas Paul Stephane Sarkozy (French politician)
Origin: Spanish variation of the Greek word Nikolaos (victory of the people)
Meaning: Victorious people
Most Popular In: The Canary Islands
6. Martín (MAHR-tin)
Martin is derived from the Roman god Mars. The name was borne by Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop who became the patron saint of France. He is widely known for splitting his cloak with a beggar in the middle of winter.
Famous Namesakes: Martin Luther (German Protestant), Martin Luther King Jr. (American civil rights campaigner), Saint Martin of Tours (Patron Saint of France), Martin Heidegger (German philosopher)
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Spanish variation of the Latin word Martinus (warlike)
Most Popular In: Aragon, Asturias, La Rioja, Galacia
5. Pablo (PA-blo)
Saul of Tarsus adopted the name “Paul” after seeing a blinding vision of Christ. Following this event, he lived the rest of his life doing evangelical work and became one of the greatest missionary apostles. He wrote many of the New Testament books and is considered one of the cofounders of the Catholic Church. The name Pablo became popular in Spain due to its strong ties with the Christian faith.
Famous Namesakes: Pablo Picasso
Origin: Spanish form of Paulus or Paul
Meaning: Latin for “small”
Most Popular In: Murcia
4. Sebastián (Seh-bas-tian)
In the 3rd century, a Roman soldier endured persecution under emperor Diocletian after being confirmed a Christian. He was named a saint following his death and became popular in medieval Europe, especially in the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, calling a child Sebastián is viewed as trendy rather than traditional.
Famous Namesakes: Sebastian Vettel (German Formula 1 racing driver), Saint Sebastian (Early Roman martyr), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
Origin: Spanish version of the Greek word Sebastianos
Meaning: “From Sebastia,” a city in modern-day Turkey
Most Popular In: Nationwide
3. Manuel (Ma-NWEHL)
Manuel is one of the classic Spanish first names. It has been used in Iberia since the Byzantine period, and the name likely became popular due to the Spanish royal family (King Ferdinand III and Elisabeth of Hohenstaufen had a son named Manuel).
Famous Namesakes: Lin-Manuel Miranda (American artist), Manuel I (King of Portugal), Manuel L. Quezon (2nd president of the Philippines), Manuel Carlos Valls (former Prime Minister of France)
Origin: Spanish variation of the Hebrew name “Immanu’el”
Meaning: God is with us
Most Popular In: Andalusia
2. Santiago (SANT-Iago)
“Santiago” traces its origins in Hebrew, though it became popular in the Iberian Peninsula because of Saint James the Great, brother of John the Apostle. He is the patron saint of Spain, and his remains are still in a monument in Galicia. The capital of Chile is also named after Saint James.
Famous Namesakes: Santiago Bernabéu (Spanish footballer), Santiago Hernán Solari (Argentine footballer) and Santiago Calatrava (Spanish architect)
Origin: Spanish version of a Hebrew name “Ya’akov”
Meaning: “Saint James”
Most Popular In: Galicia
1. Lucas (LOO-kas)
Lucas was regarded as the #1 most popular name in Spain in 2017, suggesting a shift in cultural preference from Biblical names to ones with a more international feel. Like Martin, the Spanish pronunciation is the same as how it’s said in English.
Famous Namesakes: George Lucas (American film director and producer and Lucas (Member of South Korean boyband NCT)
Origin: Latin
Meaning: English form of the Latin word Lucas or “from Lucania,” a region in southern Italy
Most Popular In: Nationwide
Baby Name Brainstorm
Spanish names are beautiful and meaningful. If you’re having a hard time choosing a name for your baby boy, simply pick one from our list. Just don’t expect your son to greet you with ¡Hola! when he exits the womb!
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