Spanish Names

A name that's unknown in the US and Britain but is popular as a nature name in Finland. May also be known as a Hungarian variation of Amelia and a Spanish form of Wilhelmina.

Variation of the popular religious name, boosted by megastar Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

A feminine and fragrant member of the Rose family.

Damián is the Spanish form of Damian, derived from the Greek name 'Damianos,' which comes from 'damao' meaning 'to tame' or 'subdue.' This masculine name has strong historical roots, particularly associated with Saint Damian, who along with his twin brother Cosmas, was a physician who provided free medical services and became a Christian martyr. Damián is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries and has gained international popularity in recent decades. The name carries connotations of healing, selflessness, and compassion. The accent mark gives it a distinctive pronunciation (dah-mee-AHN) and adds to its cultural authenticity.

A handsome and romantic-sounding European option.

Pronounced zheel, it's a dashing conquistador; as gill, it's the nice and slightly boring guy down the street.

Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would associate it with the Valley's main stem--Ventura Boulevard, and others might think of Ace or Jesse Ventura.

Standard Latin classic that brings some flair to the basic boy name Robert. Nearly 4000 baby boys are still named Robert in the US each year, many of them undoubtedly named for a father or grandfather, while about 550 are named Roberto.

This is an appealing name that could cross cultural borders, but it has lost ground in recent years.

Vale is part place name, part nature name -- a poetic term for a type of valley. Today Show coanchor Savannah Guthrie put Vale on the baby name map when she chose it for her daughter, but there's no reason the name can't work equally well for a boy. Vale might also be a short form for Valentine or a spelling variation of the city name Vail.

From the saintly name Eligius, Eloi is popular in Catalonia but rarely used by English speakers. There's potential for confusion with Eli - and with the Aramaic word eloi, said to mean "my God", which appears in the bible.

Alonso is the Spanish and Portuguese diminutive version of Alfonso, itself deriving from an old Germanic name "Adalfuns" meaning "noble and ready." Although the Italian spelling Alonzo is more popular in the US, Alonso has its own strong history.

Humberto lifts this ancient name out of the gross association to fictional pedophile Humbert Humbert, investing it with a good measure of Latin charm. It helps that the pronunciation is significantly different, much closer to the Italian Umberto than to the flat-footed original.

Strongly associated with Cuban revolutionary Guevara.

Blas is a masculine name of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin name 'Blasius,' which comes from 'blaesus' meaning 'lisping' or 'stuttering.' In Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain and parts of Latin America, Blas has maintained consistent use throughout history. The name gained significance through Saint Blaise (San Blas in Spanish), a physician and bishop who became a Christian martyr in the 4th century. Blas is celebrated annually on February 3rd in many Catholic communities. The name is appreciated for its brevity, strong sound, and cultural heritage. While not among the most popular Spanish names internationally, Blas continues to be chosen by families valuing its historical depth and straightforward pronunciation.

The lovely Shakespearean Juliet is finding renewed interest as a baby name today, and Julieta is along for the ride, especially among Spanish families.

Canyon is a unique baby name evocative of natural splendor and the old Steve Canyon comic-strip heroism, making it an intriguing new word-name possibility.

Though every Spanish student knows that the male classic is pronounced HY-me, for girls this is a straight homonym for Jamie, a favorite ambisexual 1970s nickname name. Another way to think of it is as a variation of the French "J'aime" (meaning I love).

Salvadore is a variant spelling of Salvador, a masculine name with Spanish and Portuguese origins meaning 'savior' or 'rescuer.' The name has deep religious significance in Christian traditions, referencing Jesus Christ as the Savior. This alternative spelling with an 'e' at the end gives the name a slightly different visual appearance while maintaining its pronunciation and meaning. Salvadore has a romantic, Mediterranean quality and carries associations with passionate artistic expression, partly due to famous namesakes like the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. While less common than the standard spelling, Salvadore appeals to parents seeking a name with spiritual significance, cultural richness, and a touch of distinctive flair.