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.
Calixta
“Most beautiful”
Calixta is the Spanish feminine form of Calixto, derived from the Greek Kallistos, a superlative form of kalos meaning 'beautiful.' The name thus means 'most beautiful' or 'supremely lovely.' It has deep roots in both classical Greek culture and early Christianity, with several early church figures bearing the related name Callistus. In Spanish-speaking cultures, Calixta is a rare and elegant vintage name that carries both aesthetic and spiritual connotations.
Calixto
“Most beautiful”
Calixto is the Spanish masculine form derived from the Greek Kallistos, a superlative of kalos meaning 'beautiful,' thus meaning 'most beautiful' or 'most handsome.' The name was borne by early Christian martyrs and popes, most notably Pope Callixtus I, lending it ecclesiastical prestige. In Spanish literary tradition, Calixto is the name of the romantic male protagonist of La Celestina, the seminal fifteenth-century tragicomedy, giving the name literary as well as religious resonance.
Camila
“Temple servant”
Camila derives from the Latin name Camillus, which referred to a young ceremonial attendant at religious rites. In Virgil's Aeneid, Camilla was a fearless warrior maiden, lending the name an additional dimension of boldness and grace. The Spanish spelling without the double 'l' gives it an elegant, flowing quality.
Camilo
“Temple servant”
Camilo derives from the Latin 'camillus', meaning a youth who assisted at religious ceremonies, a temple servant or acolyte. In Roman religious practice the camillus was a young boy of noble birth who attended priests during sacrifices. The name thus carries connotations of devotion, service, and noble character, alongside its rich literary and artistic associations.
Candela
“Candle, light”
Candela is a radiant Spanish name meaning 'candle' or 'light', derived from the Latin 'candela'. The name is intimately connected to the Christian feast of Candlemas, celebrating the presentation of Christ as the 'light of the world'. It shines with warmth, spirituality, and luminous beauty.
Candelaria
“Candlemas”
Candelaria refers to the Christian feast of Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd to commemorate the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary, during which candles were blessed as symbols of Christ as the light of the world. The name is most commonly given to girls born on or near that feast day, embedding a sacred moment in the liturgical calendar into a personal identity. It carries connotations of light, purity, faith, and the warmth of devotion.
Caridad
“Charity and love”
Caridad is the Spanish form of the Latin Caritas, meaning 'charity,' 'love,' 'dear,' or 'Christian love.' It is derived from carus, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved.' Caritas in Catholic theology represents the highest form of love, the selfless and divine love described by Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. As a given name, Caridad honors this virtue and is particularly associated with the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba.
Carlos
“Free man”
Carlos means 'free man,' derived from the Germanic name Karl. It carries a sense of independence and strength, rooted in centuries of royal and cultural tradition across the Spanish-speaking world.
Carmelo
“Garden or vineyard of God”
Carmelo is the Spanish masculine form derived from the Hebrew Karmel, meaning 'garden,' 'vineyard,' or 'orchard.' Mount Carmel in Israel is a biblical mountain associated with the prophet Elijah and later became the origin site of the Carmelite religious order. The name entered Catholic devotion through the scapular vision of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and became a given name honoring the Virgin Mary under this title. It is used for both men and women, with Carmela and Carmen being the feminine forms.
Carmen
“Song, garden”
Carmen carries a dual meaning of 'song' from the Latin 'carmen' and 'garden' from the Hebrew 'karmel.' It is a name that evokes both artistic beauty and natural abundance, deeply woven into Spanish culture.
Casilda
“Bearer of the lance”
Casilda is a Spanish feminine name of uncertain etymology, with two competing theories: that it derives from Arabic qasida (a type of Arabic poem or 'bearer of the lance') reflecting the Moorish cultural influence in medieval Spain, or that it comes from a Germanic root related to 'battle' or 'stronghold.' The name is most closely associated with Saint Casilda of Toledo, an eleventh-century Moorish princess who converted to Christianity, making the Arabic origin theory particularly compelling given her historical context.
Casimiro
“Proclaimer of peace”
Casimiro is the Spanish and Italian form of Casimir, a name of Slavic origin composed of the elements 'kaziti' meaning 'to destroy or proclaim' and 'mir' meaning 'peace' or 'world'. The most accepted interpretation is 'proclaimer of peace', though some scholars read it as 'destroyer of peace', with the former being the traditionally favored meaning. It entered the Spanish-speaking world through Catholic veneration of Saint Casimir of Poland.
Catalina
“Pure”
Catalina is the Spanish form of Catherine, ultimately derived from the Greek 'katharos' meaning pure or clear. It carries an elegant warmth that bridges classical heritage with a distinctly Mediterranean spirit.
Cayetana
“From Gaeta”
Cayetana is the feminine form of Cayetano, a Spanish name derived from the Latin Caietanus, meaning a person from Gaeta, an ancient coastal city in the Lazio region of Italy. The name entered Spanish aristocratic circles through St Cajetan, the sixteenth-century Italian friar who founded the Theatine order. In Spain it became associated with the very highest nobility, most famously through the Duchess of Alba, making it a name of exceptional aristocratic distinction.
Cayetano
“From Gaeta”
Cayetano derives from the Latin Caietanus, meaning from Gaeta, referring to the ancient coastal city of Gaeta in the Lazio region of Italy. The city's name itself may derive from the mythological figure Caieta, the nurse of Aeneas in Virgil's Aeneid, who was said to have been buried there. Cayetano has been a traditional given name in Spain and Latin America for centuries, carried by saints and notable figures alike. It has a melodic, Latinate quality that sounds both distinguished and warm. Saint Cajetan, the sixteenth-century Italian priest and co-founder of the Theatine Order, gave the name its religious significance.
Celia
“Heavenly”
Celia derives from the Latin family name Caelius, itself thought to stem from the Latin word caelum meaning sky or heaven. The name carries an ethereal, luminous quality that has appealed to parents across centuries and cultures. Its connection to the celestial realm gives it an uplifting, almost spiritual resonance that feels both timeless and modern.
Cesar
“Thick head of hair”
Cesar is the Spanish form of Caesar, derived from a Latin family name possibly meaning 'thick head of hair'. Through its association with Julius Caesar and the Roman emperors who followed, the name has become synonymous with authority, leadership and enduring power.
Cielo
“Sky, heaven”
Cielo is the ordinary Spanish word for sky or heaven, elevated to use as a given name through its poetic and emotional resonance. As a name it carries a sense of boundlessness, aspiration, and spiritual lightness. In Latin American cultures, calling a child Cielo is a declaration of how precious and elevated they are in their parents' eyes, akin to calling someone one's heaven or the sky itself. The name is used for both boys and girls, though it skews feminine in practice. It has gained modest international traction as interest in short, melodic Spanish names has grown, particularly in the United States where it appeals both to Spanish-speaking families and to parents attracted by its meaning and sound.
Cinta
“Belt or ribbon; a title of the Virgin Mary”
Cinta is a Spanish name derived from the Latin 'cincta', meaning 'girdled' or 'belted'. It is most closely associated with the title 'Nuestra Senora de la Cinta', Our Lady of the Ribbon, a Marian devotion centered in Tortosa, Catalonia, Spain, where a relic described as a ribbon or belt of the Virgin Mary is venerated. The name is therefore both a word name and a deeply religious devotional name.
Colomba
“Dove”
Colomba is the Spanish and Italian feminine form of Columba, derived from the Latin word 'columba' meaning 'dove'. The dove is a universal symbol of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition, making this name both poetic and deeply spiritual. It was borne by several early Christian saints and spread through Catholic hagiography across Europe and Latin America.
Concepcion
“Conception”
Concepcion is a deeply religious Spanish name referring to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, one of the central doctrines of Roman Catholicism. The name honours the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin. It has been one of the most traditional feminine names in Spain and Latin America, worn by women of great piety and family devotion. The name carries centuries of Catholic spiritual significance and is closely associated with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.
Concha
“Shell; short form of Concepcion”
Concha functions both as an independent name and as the traditional Spanish nickname for Concepcion, the name honoring the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. As a standalone word, 'concha' means 'shell' in Spanish, lending the name a natural, coastal quality. The Marian connection gives it deep religious roots in Catholic Spain and Latin America, where the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 has long been a major holy day.
Conchita
“Conception”
Conchita is an affectionate Spanish diminutive of Concepción, a name honouring the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. It is among the most characteristically Spanish of all diminutive names, carrying the warmth and informality typical of Spanish naming customs. The name blends deep Marian devotion with an intimate, affectionate everyday charm.
Consolacion
“Consolation”
Consolacion is a Spanish devotional name derived from 'consolacion', meaning consolation or comfort. It is one of many titles given to the Virgin Mary, specifically 'Nuestra Senora de la Consolacion', Our Lady of Consolation, reflecting the belief in Mary as a source of comfort to the suffering. The name carries profound emotional warmth and spiritual depth, rooted in the tradition of naming children after Marian attributes.
Constanza
“Constant, steadfast”
Constanza is the Spanish and Italian form of Constance, ultimately derived from the Latin 'constantia' meaning steadfastness, constancy, and firmness of character. It was a name popular among medieval European royalty and nobility, borne by queens of Sicily, Aragon, and Castile. Its combination of strength and elegance has given it lasting appeal across centuries of Spanish-speaking culture.
Consuelo
“Consolation”
Consuelo comes from the Spanish word for consolation or comfort, originating as a devotional name honouring Our Lady of Consolation.
Corsino
“Of Corsica; from the island”
Corsino is a Spanish masculine name derived from 'Corsini', an Italian surname and given name connected to the island of Corsica or to the Corsini noble family of Florence. It became a given name through veneration of Saint Andrew Corsini, a 14th-century Florentine Carmelite bishop renowned for his holy life and miracles. The name carries the geographical sense of 'one from Corsica' or the aristocratic connotation of the Corsini lineage.
Covadonga
“Cave of the lady”
Covadonga is derived from Latin 'Cova Dominica', meaning cave of the lady or cave of the mistress, referring to the legendary cave sanctuary in Asturias, northern Spain, where the Virgin Mary is venerated. The site is deeply significant in Spanish history as the location of the Battle of Covadonga (c. 722 AD), where the Asturian leader Pelayo defeated a Moorish army, a victory celebrated as the beginning of the Christian Reconquista. The name is therefore both a Marian devotional name and a powerful symbol of Spanish national identity.
Crisanto
“Golden flower”
Crisanto is the Spanish and Italian form of Chrysanthus, derived from the Greek chrysanthos meaning golden flower. The first element 'chrysos' means gold, and 'anthos' means flower. The name evokes radiant beauty, natural abundance, and the enduring bloom of the chrysanthemum, a flower revered across Eastern and Western cultures. Saint Chrysanthus was a 3rd-century Roman martyr, giving the name a place in the Catholic canon.
Cristian
“Follower of Christ”
Cristian is the Spanish and Romanian form of Christian, derived from the Latin Christianus, itself from the Greek Christianos, meaning follower of Christ or anointed one. The name ultimately traces back to the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah), meaning the anointed. As a distinctly Latinate spelling, Cristian has been consistently popular across Spain, Latin America, and Romania, carrying both religious devotion and a contemporary, streamlined aesthetic that distinguishes it from its English-language counterpart.
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