75 Top Spanish Names for Boys and Their Meanings
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Choosing your baby boy's name is a challenge, mainly because there are so many sources to pick from. When it comes to ideas for baby boy names, you can borrow from a favorite literary character or author, a celebrity, or even a name passed down from generation to generation. But if you want to honor your Latinx heritage, choosing a moniker that represents your unique culture could give the name that much more meaning. Our list of 75 of the best Spanish boys names is full of inspiration from A (Armand) to Z (Zach).
A Spanish name for your baby boy could honor your favorite Abuelo or pay homage to your favorite Latinx author, actor, comedian, or singer. It could be a biblical baby name, one of the most popular boy names from the past few years, or a rare name that few others will have.
Whatever the case may be, choosing a Spanish baby name with deep personal meaning can have a lasting impression in both your life and your child's. In a way, it also keeps history alive by honoring your family's Hispanic roots. Read on for our list of the top Spanish baby boy names for your bundle of joy.
1. José
The Spanish variant of Joseph, José is one of the most common baby names in Spain and Latin America. Like many Spanish names, José has a biblical origin, meaning "God shall add." Nicknames for José include Joe, Joey, Pepe, Pepito, and Che.
2. Antonio
A name meaning “priceless one,” according to Nameberry, Antonio is a popular variation of Anthony throughout Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Latin America. Shakespeare had a fondness for the moniker, including characters named Antonio in five of his plays.
3. Juan
You might already know that Juan is the Spanish form of John, but according to Mom.com, the earliest form of the name is the Hebrew Yehanan, meaning “God is gracious.”
4. Francisco
The name Francisco means “Frenchman” or “free man.” It is the Spanish cognate of the name Francis. Babies named Francisco are often nicknamed Frank, Frankie, Paco, Paquito, Pancho, and Panchito.
5. Manuel
Manuel is the Spanish form of the Hebrew name Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Manuel was one of the top boys names in Spain through the 1980s according to Baby Center, and has been one of the top 300 boys names in the U.S. for over 100 years. Nicknames for Manuel include Manny, Mani, Manolo, and Manolito.
6. Pedro
The Spanish variation of the name Peter, Pedro means “rock.” It is another popular name of biblical origin. In Matthew 16:18, Christ tells Simon, "and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church." Ancestral Findings suggests that the surname Pérez means “son of Pedro,” the Spanish equivalent of the last name “Peterson.”
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7. Ricardo
Ricardo is Spanish for Richard, which is derived from the German “Richart,” meaning “powerful ruler.” The moniker’s popularity rose in the early 1950s, a time when many American families gathered around their televisions to see the antics of the Ricardo family on I Love Lucy.
8. Jesús
Meaning "God is salvation," Jesús (typically pronounced HEY-soos) is a name almost exclusively used by Latin Americans. In a 2013 New York Times article, author Mark Oppenheimer writes, “For reasons that are unclear, much of the English-speaking world has tended to avoid Jesus as a name.” Babies named Jesús are often called Chucho, Chuchi, or Chuy.
9. Javier
The Spanish variant of Xavier, Javier (pronounced HA-vee-air) is derived from the Basque name Exteberria meaning “new house,” according to Behind the Name. Many Javiers go by the nickname Javi.
10. Rafael
Rafael is the traditional Spanish spelling of the Hebrew name Raphael meaning “God has healed,” according to Nameberry. In the Bible, Raphael was one of the seven archangels, and one of only three mentioned by name.
11. Sergio
Sergio was derived from the Roman clan name Sergius. In the '70s and ‘80s, the name Sergio rose in popularity in Europe and Latin America, prompting American apparel company Englishtown Sportswear Ltd., to adopt the name for its Sergio Valente Jeans brand. According to the New York Times, the actual Sergio Valente never existed.
12. Enrique
The name Enrique is the Spanish form of Henry, derived from the German, “Heinrich.” The moniker means “estate ruler.” Nicknames for Enrique include Kiki, Kiko, Rick, and Ricky.
13. Carlos
The name Carlos is a Spanish variation of Charles, meaning “man.” The moniker rose in popularity in Spain in the 1980s, according to Baby Center, and has maintained a top spot ever since. Nicknames for Carlos include Carlito, Carlitos, Chuck, Chuckie, and Carl.
14. Santiago
You may be surprised to learn that the name Santiago means “St. James.” According to Behind the Name, "Yago" is the Spanish form of James. St. James is the patron saint of Spain, and several Latin American cities are named Santiago in his honor.
15. Jorge
Jorge is the Spanish and Portuguese variant of the name George, meaning “farmer.” Typically pronounced “HOR-hay,” many Jorges in the U.S. use both the Spanish and English pronunciation interchangeably. Babies named Jorge are often nicknamed Yoyi.
16. Pablo
The Spanish form of Paul, the name Pablo means “humble” or “small,” according to Nameberry. Famous Pablos include Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
17. Alejandro
The name Alejandro is the Spanish form of Alexander. The name is of Greek origin meaning “defender of mankind.” Alejandro has been in the top 500 baby names in the US since 1963, according to the SSA. Many Alejandros go by the name Alex.
18. Mateo
The Spanish variant of Matthew, Mateo means “gift from God.” The name has become increasingly popular in the U.S., ranking number 11 in popularity for babies born in 2022, according to the SSA. Parents who love the name can also consider the Italian spelling, “Matteo.”
19. Luis
The name Luis is German and French in origin and means "renowned warrior," according to Nameberry. It is one of the top Spanish boy names in the U.S., ranking in the top 100 every year from 1980 to 2014.
20. Sebastian
Sebastian is derived from the Greek word sebastos, meaning "revered" or "venerable," according to The Bump. In the Bible, Saint Sebastian was a Roman soldier who converted his troops to Christianity, despite the risk of death.
21. Matias
Matias is the Spanish form of Matthew, which means "gift from God," according to BabyNames.com. It has biblical origins as well. St. Matthew was one of the 12 apostles and is the patron saint of bankers.
22. Nicolas
Nicolas, which means "the victory of the people" in Greek, was inspired by the Greek god of triumph, Nike.
23. Samuel
Samuel is derived from the Hebrew word Shemu'el and means "God has heard." If your new little bundle is the answer to your prayers, this is a fitting name.
24. Diego
Spanish in origin, Diego means "supplanter." While it's short for the name Santiago, it can stand on its own. Famous Diegos include artist Diego Rivera (who was married to Frida Kahlo) and Saint Juan Diego, the Mexican peasant who saw the Virgin of Guadalupe.
25. Daniel
In the Old Testament, Daniel survived the Lion's den, so this would be fitting for your brave baby boy. Daniel means "God is my judge," and is Hebrew in origin.
26. Benjamin
Benjamin is a classic name that comes from the Hebrew word meaning "son of the right hand, son of the south, son of my days," according to The Bump. Common Spanish nicknames for Benjamin are Mincho, Benny, and Chamin.
27. Joaquin
Joaquin is the Spanish version of the German name Joachim. In the Bible, Joachim is considered to be the father of the Virgin Mary. It means "established by God."
28. Tomas
Tomas has Aramaic and Greek origins and means "twin." Tomas is also one of the 12 disciples and the patron saint of architects. According to Nameberry, it was a moderately popular name in 2022 in the U.S.
29. Bautista
Bautista is Spanish for "baptist" and is most frequently associated with John the Baptist. While it can be used as a surname (Dave Bautista), it is a common first name in Latinx communities.
30. Camilo
Camilo comes from the Latin name Camillus, and translates to "helper of the priest." It is particularly popular in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking countries, according to The Bump.
31. Cayetano
This sophisticated name is related to the Italian name Gaetano, and is a common name in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and the Philippines. It translates to "from Gaeta," a city in Southern Italy.
32. Fausto
Fausto is a unique Spanish name that means "fortunate one" or lucky. If your baby is born around St. Patrick's Day, you can name him Patricio, but Fausto would also be appropriate.
33. Fabian
Fabian was Olivia's servant in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. But more recently, he was a character in the Harry Potter movies. The name is Latin in origin and means "bean farmer."
34. Ignacio
Ignacio means "fiery one" and is Latin in origin. The most common Spanish nickname for Ignacio is Nacho, followed by Nacio and Naz.
35. Justino
A variant of Justin and Justice, Justino means "just" or "righteous" — the perfect name for a future lawyer.
36. Gustavo
Gustavo is a Mexican name meaning "royal staff" or "staff of the Gods." Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is a famous example of the name.
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37. Maximo
In English, it's Max. In Spanish, it's Maximo. The name means "the greatest," which might be where we get the word "maximum."
38. Lorenzo
In Latin, Lorenzo means "man of laurel," while in Italian, it means "victorious" — but both have beautiful meanings. As a nickname, you can call your baby Enzo or Loro.
39. Nestor
Does your family like to travel? Consider the name Nestor which comes from the Greek word meaning "traveler." Nestor was also a famous adventurer in Greek mythology.
40. Ramiro
This Spanish and Portuguese name means "renowned counselor" or "great judge." Famous Ramiros include Ramiro Fassi, an Argentinian football player, and Ramiro Estrada, a Mexican swimmer.
41. Ramon
Ramon is Spanish for the German name Raginmund, which was translated into English as Raymond, and it means "counsel" or "protection." According to Nameberry, Ramon is a solid choice. It's been in the top 1000 since they started keeping track of trends.
42. Salvador
The Mexican name Salvador translates to "savior." It calls to mind the famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali, who was born in Spain.
43. Renaldo
Renaldo is a famous Brazilian soccer player, but it's also a popular name for baby boys. It comes from the old high German name Reginwald and the Latin name Reginaldus.
44. Angel
Angel comes from the Greek word for "messenger." It's also the Greek word for "heavenly being." Both are allusions to biblical angels who were often thought of as messengers from God to those on Earth.
45. Felix
Felix is Latin in origin and means "fortunate" or "happy. Coincidentally, the Spanish word for happy is feliz. The name dates back all the way to 1st century BC and is the namesake of several popes, according to The Bump.
46. Gael
Gael is Welsh in origin and derives from the word "generous." It's also the name of award-winning Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal.
47. Oscar
Rooted in Irish folklore, Oscar derives from the word "god spear" or "champion warrior." Famous Oscars include Oscar the Grouch and Guatemalan actor Oscar Isaac.
48. Marino
If you live by the sea or simply love the ocean, Marino is the perfect baby boy name. This Latin name translates to "of the sea" and while the name is popular in Italy, it is also common in Spanish speaking countries.
49. Josue
Josue is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the name Joshua and means "God is salvation." According to Namberry, the name first appeared on the top baby name list in 1972 and has been gaining popularity ever since.
50. Placido
Placido is a Spanish boy's name meaning "calm" and "serene," just like the voice of Placido Domingo, the Spanish opera singer.
51. Silvestre
Silvestre is related to the Latin names Silvester and Sylvester, meaning "wooded." Nicknames for Silvestre include Sly, as in Silvester "Sly" Stallone.
52. Tristan
This gender-neutral name has Gaelic roots and means "melancholy." In Arthurian legend, Tristan was a knight of the round table. What better name for your little prince?
53. Tadeo
This Spanish name comes from the Aramaic root word for "praise." It is also the Spanish version of the name Thaddeus. Tad, Teo, and Tade are common nicknames.
54. Andres
This courageous baby name means "warrior" and is the Spanish version of the name Andrew. In the Bible, Andrew was one of the very first followers of Christ.
56. Augustine
Augustine is a solid name coming from the Latin "great" or "magnificent." Historically speaking, Saint Augustine of Hippo is the patron saint of printers, brewers, and theologians.
57. Hector
Hector, spelled Hektor in Greek, means "steadfast." In Greek mythology, Hector was a hero of the famed Trojan War. According to The Bump, it was also the name of the knight who raised King Arthur.
58. Bernardo
This Portuguese boy's name derives from the word meaning "strong as a bear." Bears are known to be brave, protective, and devoted.
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58. Cesar
Although spelled differently, Julius Caesar is by far the most famous person with this name. But there is also Cesar Chavez, an esteemed social activist who fought for the rights of farm workers. The name itself derived from the Latin word caesaries, meaning "head of hair" or "long-haired."
59. Osvaldo
Osvaldo is derived from the Old German word for "God's power." It is the Spanish form of the name Oswald. In Spain, common nicknames are Val or Valdo.
60. Reyes
Reyes is a common last name in Spain, but it is also used as a first name meaning "king" or "royalty." In Catholicism, it is best known for its usage in the phrase La Virgen de los Reyes, which means "The Virgin of the Kings."
61. Roberto
Roberto, or Robert in English, means "bright frame." It's a popular name with a few fun nicknames, including Beto (Beto O'Rourke) and Bertito.
62. Valerio
Valerio is a Latin name meaning "strong." And it sounds a lot like the English word valor, which means courage in the face of danger.
63. Adan
Adan is a gender-neutral name with mixed origins. In Hebrew, the word adamah, which means "earth" or "fire." In Spain, it is a common form of the name Adam but can still stand alone as a girl's name, too.
64. Felipe
If you enjoy the farm life or are an aspiring equestrian, Felipe is the perfect name for your baby boy. It means "friends of horses." It is common in Portuguese-speaking Brazil along with Filipe.
65. Aaron
This Hebrew-based name means "strong" or "exalted." Famous Aarons include Aaron Burr, Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Neville, and Aaron Paul.
66. Ezequiel
This biblical name is Hebrew for "strength of God." There are no shortage of inspiring Ezequiels, including Colombian linguist Ezequiel Uricoechea, major league baseball player Ezequiel Carrera, and Spanish footballer Ezequiel Calvente, according to The Bump.
67. Lazaro
Lazaro, or Lazarus in English, means "God is my helper." In the Bible, Jesus was definitely Lazarus' helper as he raised him from the dead in a public miracle.
68. Miguel
Miguel is the Spanish form of Michael, who is one of heaven's archangels. He is known as the spiritual warrior between good and evil. Mickey or Migs are common nicknames for Miguel.
69. Yair
Yair means "he shines" in Hebrew. It is Spanish in origin and means "handsome." And aren't all baby boys as handsome as can be?
70. Ivan
Ivan has Slavic, Russian, and Hebrew origins and means "God is gracious." It is thought to derive from the name John.
71. Clemente
Clemente is French and Latin in origin and means "merciful." Although this was his last name, baseball hall-of-famer Roberto Clemente is a revered sports star in his native Puerto Rico and beyond.
72. Ximeno
There aren't many "X" names, so this one is exciting. Ximeno is a Spanish name which is thought to come from the Basque word seme meaning "he has heard."
73. Wilfredo
Wilfredo is the Spanish form of the Old English name Wilfred and means "desiring peace." A common nickname for Wilfredo is Fredo.
74. Gabriel
Gabriel is the name of the archangel who announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. It means "God is my strength."
75. Saul
Saul is Hebrew in origin and means "prayed for." In the Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel. It's a solid old-school name that has a lot of appeal, especially for television fans who watched Breaking Bad.
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