Reyes
REH-yes
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.
At a glance
A regal Spanish name meaning 'kings', linked to the Three Kings of the Epiphany. Used for all genders, it carries a festive, spiritual grandeur rare in any naming tradition.
Etymology & History
Reyes is the Spanish plural of 'rey', from the Latin 'rex', meaning king. The phrase 'Los Reyes Magos' (the Magi, the Three Wise Kings) is the Spanish term for the figures who visited the infant Jesus, and in Spain and Latin America the Feast of the Epiphany (Reyes) is the traditional day for gift-giving. The name therefore carries both a royal secular meaning and a deeply embedded Christian cultural significance. As a surname, Reyes is one of the most common in the Spanish-speaking world, and its use as a first name draws on the same prestige.
Cultural Significance
In Spain and Latin America, Reyes as a given name traditionally honours children born near the Epiphany. It belongs to a wider tradition of Spanish devotional names tied to feast days and religious events, alongside names like Cruz (the Cross), Concepcion (the Immaculate Conception), and Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). As a surname, Reyes is extraordinarily common, carried by millions across the Spanish-speaking world. Its crossover as a first name in recent years reflects broader trends towards surname names and its gender-neutral quality makes it particularly versatile.
Famous people named Reyes
Reyes Maroto
Spanish politician who served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain
Alfonso Reyes
Influential Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat, considered one of the great figures of Latin American literature
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Reyes
Cruz
“Cross”
Cruz is the Spanish word for cross, carrying centuries of deep Christian symbolism. As a given name it directly invokes the cross of the crucifixion, making it one of the most theologically charged names in the Catholic tradition. It is used for both boys and girls in Spanish-speaking countries, and its brevity and strength give it a powerful, distinctive quality. In recent decades Cruz has also been adopted by English-speaking families, drawn to its sharp, single-syllable sound and its combination of Spanish heritage and modern cool.
Lourdes
“From Lourdes”
Lourdes is a name of profound spiritual resonance, drawn from the famous pilgrimage town in southern France where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Bernadette in 1858. For Catholic families in particular, naming a daughter Lourdes is an act of deep devotion and hope, invoking one of the most celebrated Marian shrines in the world. The name carries an air of grace and quiet faith, connecting the bearer to a rich tradition of healing, miracles, and pilgrimage.
Reina
“Beautiful bell”
In Japanese, Reina is most commonly written with the kanji rei, meaning bell, tinkling sound, or zero, and na, meaning Nara, vegetables, or beauty, depending on the characters chosen by the family. One of the most popular combinations uses the characters for bell and beautiful together, creating a name that evokes delicate, resonant beauty. Reina also resonates in Spanish-speaking cultures as the word for queen, giving the name a remarkable cross-cultural richness.
Rex
“King”
Rex is a direct Latin borrowing meaning king. It was used as a formal title for Roman kings before the Republic, and as an honorific for rulers throughout the ancient world. As a given name in the English-speaking world it gained currency in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, prized for its punchy brevity, regal weight, and confident sound. It has a mid-century cool that modern parents find fresh and compelling.
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.
Where you'll find Reyes
Reyes shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.