Spanish Baby Names
Explore 405 spanish names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Spanish names carry a weight of Catholic tradition and a warmth of Latin-American vibrance. Many of the most popular Spanish names are also popular internationally, because Spanish shares so many Latin roots with English.
A short history
Spanish naming developed under the Reconquista, with heavy influence from Catholic saints and from the integration of Arabic, Visigothic, and Jewish cultural layers. Latin-American naming added further regional flavours: Mexican naming drew on indigenous traditions, Cuban and Dominican on African, and so on.
Naming traditions
Spanish speakers traditionally carry two surnames: the father's first surname followed by the mother's first surname. Double first names are common (Juan Carlos, María José) and often shorten to one of the two in daily use. Religious compound names (María del Mar, María Jesús) are a distinctive Spanish pattern.
Sound and style
Spanish names are rhythmic and clean. Isabella, Lucia, Mateo, Diego, Sofia, Leo, and Alba all travel internationally with near-zero pronunciation friction. The rolled R in names like Ramón gives them a warmer texture than English can quite replicate.
Reyes
“Kings”
Reyes is the Spanish word for kings, specifically evoking the Three Kings or Magi, the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem. The name is closely tied to the feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on 6 January, and children born around that date are often given this name in Spanish-speaking cultures. It carries regal, festive, and spiritual associations in equal measure. Used for both boys and girls, Reyes has a stately sound and a meaning full of grandeur.
Rigoberto
“Bright with glory”
Rigoberto is the Spanish adaptation of the Germanic name Richbert or Rikbert, composed of the elements 'ric' meaning power or ruler, and 'beraht' meaning bright or famous. Together the name means bright with power or renowned ruler. Like many Germanic names, Rigoberto entered Spanish through the influence of Visigothic rulers who dominated the Iberian Peninsula before Arab conquest, leaving a legacy of Germanic names in the Spanish tradition.
Rocio
“Dew, morning dew”
Rocio is the Spanish word for dew, specifically the delicate moisture that settles on surfaces in the cool of early morning. The name is deeply connected to the Virgen del Rocio, a beloved Marian title venerated in Andalusia, whose shrine at Almonte in the province of Huelva is the destination of one of Spain's greatest popular pilgrimages. The name captures both the freshness of early morning and the deep spiritual devotion of southern Spanish culture.
Rodrigo
“Famous ruler”
Rodrigo is a powerful Spanish and Portuguese name of Germanic origin, meaning 'famous ruler' or 'renowned power'. It combines strength and nobility, reflecting the legacy of kings, warriors, and legendary heroes who bore the name across centuries.
Rogelio
“Famous spear carrier”
Rogelio is the Spanish form of the Germanic name Roger, composed of the elements 'hrod' meaning fame or glory, and 'ger' meaning spear. Together the name evokes the image of a celebrated warrior whose fame came from skill in battle. Like Rigoberto and other Germanic-origin Spanish names, Rogelio entered the Iberian tradition through Visigothic influence. It has been a consistently used Spanish masculine name for many centuries.
Roque
“Rest or repose”
Roque is the Spanish form of Rocco, derived from the Germanic element 'hrok' meaning rest or repose. The name gained widespread popularity in Catholic Europe through Saint Rocco (also known as Saint Roch), a fourteenth-century French pilgrim renowned for his miraculous healing of plague victims. His cult spread rapidly through the Catholic world, and his Spanish name Roque became a common baptismal name across the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America.
Rosalinda
“Beautiful rose”
Rosalinda combines the Latin 'rosa' meaning rose, with the Germanic element 'lind' meaning gentle, soft, or tender. Together the name is interpreted as beautiful rose or gentle rose. The name has roots in both the medieval Spanish poetic tradition and the Germanic influence on Spanish naming, producing a name of exceptional romantic beauty. It became widely known through literature, opera, and poetry in the Spanish and Italian worlds.
Rufino
“Red-haired”
Rufino derives from the Latin rufus, meaning red or reddish, which was used in antiquity to describe someone with red or auburn hair. The -ino suffix gives the name a gentle, affectionate Italian and Spanish character. In the early Christian period, several saints bore the name Rufinus, bringing it into the liturgical calendar. The name suggests warmth, vitality, and a fiery distinctiveness. It remains in occasional use across Spain, Latin America, and Italy, carried largely by devotion to its saintly bearers.
Sabino
“Of the Sabine people”
Sabino is derived from the Latin 'Sabinus', meaning a member of the Sabine people, an ancient Italic tribe who lived in central Italy before being absorbed into the Roman Republic. The name has been used throughout Catholic Europe in honor of several saints named Sabinus. In Spain, Sabino also carries associations with the Basque region, where it has been a cherished name for centuries and is linked to Basque nationalist identity.
Sagrario
“Sanctuary or tabernacle”
Sagrario comes from the Spanish word for sanctuary, tabernacle, or the innermost holy place of a church where the Eucharist is reserved. The word itself derives from the Latin 'sacrarium', meaning a sacred place or shrine. In Catholic tradition, the sagrario is the most sacred part of the church, and the name was given to girls as a sign of profound religious devotion, consecrating them symbolically to the sacred space.
Salvador
“Saviour”
Salvador derives from the Latin Salvator, meaning saviour. It carries both profound religious significance and a bold artistic legacy, most notably through the surrealist master Salvador Dali. The name is powerful and resonant, suggesting someone destined for great things.
Sancho
“Sacred or holy”
Sancho is the medieval Spanish form of Sanctius, derived from the Latin 'sanctus' meaning holy, sacred, or saintly. The name was widely used among Spanish royalty during the medieval period, borne by numerous kings of Navarre, Castile, Aragon, and Portugal. It is most famously known in world literature as the name of Don Quixote's loyal squire Sancho Panza in Cervantes' masterwork, which gave the name a beloved and enduring literary identity.
Sandra
“Defender of humanity”
Sandra is a short form of Alessandra, the Italian and Spanish form of Alexandra, which derives from the Greek 'Alexandros' meaning defender of men or protector of humanity. Composed of 'alexein' meaning to defend or protect, and 'aner' meaning man or humanity, the name carries a powerful meaning. Although Sandra originated as a diminutive, it has long been established as an independent name used across many languages and cultures.
Santiago
“Saint James”
Santiago derives from the Spanish contraction of 'Santo Iago,' meaning 'Saint James.' It carries the legacy of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles, and evokes pilgrimage, courage, and spiritual journey. The name combines sacred reverence with a bold, adventurous spirit.
Santos
“Saints, holy ones”
Santos comes from the Latin sanctus, meaning holy or consecrated, through the Spanish plural santos, meaning saints or holy ones. It is traditionally bestowed upon boys born on or around All Saints' Day, the first of November, linking the child directly to the feast of the universal church. The name carries deep devotion, communal piety, and a sense of being blessed and protected by the communion of saints.
Sarita
“Little princess”
Sarita is a Spanish diminutive of Sara, which itself derives from the Hebrew 'Sarah' meaning princess or noblewoman. The Spanish diminutive suffix '-ita' adds an affectionate, warm quality, making Sarita mean little princess or dear Sara. The name is both a term of endearment for Saras and a standalone given name in Spanish-speaking countries, prized for its melodic sound and gentle warmth.
Saturnina
“Of Saturn”
Saturnina is the feminine form of Saturnino, derived from the Latin 'Saturninus', meaning of Saturn or belonging to Saturn. Saturn was the ancient Roman god of agriculture, harvest, and time. The name was borne by several early Christian martyrs, most notably Saint Saturninus of Toulouse, and the female form Saturnina was used in his honor. The name reflects the Roman practice of naming children after deities even after the adoption of Christianity, with the religious meaning shifting to honor the saints instead.
Saturnino
“Of Saturn”
Saturnino derives from the Latin 'Saturninus', meaning of Saturn or belonging to Saturn. Saturn was the ancient Roman god of agriculture, wealth, and time. In the Christian tradition, the name was kept alive through Saint Saturninus, a third-century bishop of Toulouse and one of the early martyrs of the Iberian Peninsula. His feast on November 29th ensured the name's continued use in Catholic Spain and Latin America for many centuries.
Saúl
“Prayed for or asked for”
Saúl is the Spanish form of the Hebrew name Saul, meaning asked for, prayed for, or requested. In the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel in response to the people's desire for a king. The name carries deep biblical weight as a name of royal heritage. It also appears in the New Testament as the birth name of the Apostle Paul, who was called Saul before his conversion on the road to Damascus.
Secundino
“Second”
Secundino is derived from the Latin 'Secundinus', meaning second or the second one, from 'secundus'. Like Quintín and Segundo, it belongs to the tradition of naming children based on birth order. Secundino was also the name of several early Christian martyrs and saints, which brought it into the Catholic baptismal tradition. The name was given both to second-born sons and to boys baptized on the feast days of saints named Secundinus.
Segundo
“Second”
Segundo is the direct Spanish word for second, derived from the Latin 'secundus'. It was traditionally given to second-born sons in a family, following the ancient Roman custom of naming children by birth order. Like Primo (first) and Tercero (third), Segundo served as both a practical marker of family position and a given name in its own right. Several early Christian saints bore the Latinized form Secundus, lending the name a religious dimension as well.
Severiano
“Stern and severe”
Severiano is derived from the Latin 'Severianus', built on 'severus' meaning stern, serious, or strict. The name honors several early Christian saints, most notably Saint Severian, a bishop martyred in the early church. In Spanish naming tradition, Severiano reflects the Roman virtue of gravity and seriousness. Despite its austere meaning, the name was warmly used across Catholic Spain and Latin America for many centuries.
Severina
“Stern and serious”
Severina is the feminine form of Severino, derived from the Latin 'Severinus', built on 'severus' meaning stern, strict, or serious. The name honors several early Christian saints and martyrs named Severina. In the Roman tradition, severitas was considered a virtue reflecting gravity and moral seriousness. The Spanish female form Severina carries these connotations of dignity, moral strength, and upright character.
Sierra
“Mountain range or saw”
Sierra is the Spanish word for a mountain range with jagged, saw-like peaks, derived from the Latin 'serra' meaning saw. The word aptly describes the serrated silhouette of mountain ridges against the sky. Sierra was originally a geographic term used throughout the Spanish-speaking world to name mountain ranges, and it transitioned into a given name in the twentieth century, particularly in the United States, where its nature-inspired beauty and Spanish sound made it fashionable.
Silvestre
“Of the forest or wild”
Silvestre derives from the Latin 'Silvester', meaning of the forest, wild, or woodland. It is built on 'silva', the Latin word for forest or woods. The name was borne by Pope Sylvester I, who led the Catholic Church during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great and was involved in the Council of Nicaea. His feast day on December 31st is widely celebrated, and his name became one of the most enduring names in Catholic Europe.
Sinforiano
“One who brings together or harmonizes”
Sinforiano derives from the Latin name Symphorianus, rooted in the Greek word 'symphonia,' meaning harmony or agreement. The name carries the sense of one who unites or brings things into accord, suggesting a peaceful and conciliatory character.
Sinforoso
“Bearing or carrying together”
Sinforoso is derived from the Latin Symphorosus, connected to the Greek 'symphora,' meaning a bringing together or a concurrence. The name suggests a person who carries burdens alongside others, a figure of solidarity and shared endurance.
Socorro
“Help or aid”
Socorro comes directly from the Spanish word 'socorro,' meaning help, assistance, or relief. It is a name rooted in Catholic Marian devotion, specifically the title Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), which has been venerated throughout the Spanish-speaking world for centuries.
Solana
“Sunny spot”
Solana comes from the Spanish word solana, meaning a sunny spot, a south-facing wall that catches the sun, or a sunny terrace. Derived from the Latin sol meaning sun, the name carries connotations of warmth, brightness, and optimism. It is both a geographical term in Spanish for sun-drenched places and an evocative poetic name.
Soledad
“Solitude”
Soledad is a Spanish name meaning 'solitude,' drawn from the Marian title 'Nuestra Senora de la Soledad' (Our Lady of Solitude). It conveys contemplative depth and quiet inner strength rather than loneliness.
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