Spanish Names that Start With A

A delicate name with strong roots, Aniceta is most often used in contemporary Spain. Saint Anicetus was an ancient pope and martyr. 

Aniceta

The name of a Guaraní princess killed by Spanish conquistadors in Tupi-Guarani legend. A Ceibo tree – the national flower of Argentina – is said to have bloomed in the spot where she died.

 The meaning of the name is uncertain. It may be related to the Tupi word for "maize", or it may be related to Anahita or Anaïs, meaning "immaculate". Mononymous Mexican singer and actress Anahí is a famous bearer.

 Anahí is also a gemstone name: a variety of quartz with distinctive purple and orange sections, found in the Anahi mine in Bolivia. The mine is said to have been named after an Aroyeo princess who married a Spanish conquistador and was accidentally killed trying to save him from assassination. She is said to have presented him with one of the gemstones as she lay dying – the differently colored halves of the stone representing her heart torn between her love for her husband and her love for her people.

Anahí

One of the many unusual avian names, Avianca is the name of the official airline of Colombia.

Avianca

A rarely heard flower name, Amapola comes from the Spanish word for "poppy", in turn associating with name with remembrance and the months of August and November. Pronounced as a-ma-POH-la, with the emphasis on the third syllable, it may feel similar enough to Amalia, Amaia, and Paula to work.
 
The name appears in the title of the popular song "Amapola", originally written by Spanish American composer José Lacalle in the 1920s. It later became a huge Big Band hit in the 1940s and variations of it have since been recorded by Bing Crosby, Natalie Cole, Bradley Walsh, and Andrea Bocelli. 
 
Baseball player Francisco Lindor and his wife Katia named their daughter Amapola Chloé in 2023, which may help it catch on.

Amapola

Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroines of operas by Handel and Rossini and the name of an American actress, Armida Vendrell. 
 
As an invented name, its meaning is not certain, however, it may well be based on Amada or Amata ("beloved"), Armanda ("army woman"), Arminia ("whole, universal"), Artemisia or Artemidora ("gift of Artemis"), or Amadea ("loved by God").

Armida

Amalita is a charming feminine name of Spanish origin, functioning as a diminutive of Amalia, which comes from the Germanic name Amala meaning "work" or "labor." The suffix "-ita" adds a sense of endearment in Spanish tradition. This melodic name has a romantic, flowing quality with its balanced syllables and gentle sounds. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, Amalita remains appreciated in Spanish-speaking communities and among those with Hispanic heritage. The name carries a delicate yet vibrant energy, evoking images of warmth and femininity with its musical cadence.

Amalita

Amelida is a rare feminine name with possible connections to names like Amelia, Amelie, or Adelaide. It may have evolved as a variant of Amelia, which derives from the Germanic word 'amal' meaning 'work' or 'labor,' suggesting industriousness and diligence. The name has a romantic, vintage quality with its flowing syllables and melodic sound. Amelida remains uncommon in most English-speaking countries, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive name that still feels familiar. The name carries an elegant, somewhat aristocratic air while maintaining accessibility. Though lacking extensive historical usage records, Amelida shares the virtuous connotations of its potential root names, conveying grace, nobility, and strength of character.

Amelida

Common California place-name that could work for a girl. 

Alameda

A sweet form of Agnes used in Italian & Latvian, with a fresh and intriguing sound. 

Agnese

A handsome and fresh multi-cultural form of the more dated English Arnold.

Arnall

Dainty but vibrant, Aliria is likely a variation of the cheerful Italian name, Ilaria, and in turn the English Hilary. Ultimately derived from the Ancient Roman name Hilarius, itself created from a Greek word meaning "happy", Aliria is notably used in Latin America.
 
Also spelled as Alíria in Portuguese, Alirio is the masculine form, while Alira might be a variation. A notable bearer is the Mexican artist Aliria Morales.

Aliria

Sunny and lively, this cheerful choice was a familiar option in Brazil in the first half of the 20th century, but has since declined in use. Likely originating from the Ancient Roman Hilarius, meaning "happy", Alirio feels more familiar than it perhaps is, thanks to its similarity to stylish options like Arlo, Elio, and Aurelio. 
 
Also spelled as Alírio in Portuguese, the name is predominantly used in Latin America, much like its feminine counterpart, Aliria. Notable bearers include musician Alirio Díaz, Venezuelan politician Alirio Ugarte Pelayo, and singer Alirio Netta.

Alirio

Fanciful and elegant, Atanasio is a rare option that could work as an elaborate alternative to the more popular Antonio, Alessio, or Alonso. It is the Spanish and Italian form of the Greek Athanasius, the name of a 4th-century saint with the cool meaning "immortal".
 
Baseball player Tony Perez was born Atanasio while Atanasio Girardot was a Colombian revolutionary and military officer during the Colombian and Venezuelan wars of Independence. There's also painter Atanasio Bimbacci and musician Atanasio Bello Montero.

Atanasio

Derived from the Ancient Greek name Anacletus, Anacleto is used in Brazil, the Philippines, Brazil, and Italy among other Italian and Spanish speaking countries.  Meaning "invoked", it has a sharp yet elegant sound and may appeal as an alternative to Antonio and Aneglo.


Anacleto

Bright and distinctive with a nature-related meaning, Azahar is taken from one of many titles for the Virgin Mary, in this case, Nuestra Señora del Azahar meaning "Our Lady of the Orange Blossom". Used at a church dedicated to her near Murcia in Spain, the title is used to reflect the abundance of citrus trees in the area, and because the sculpture of the Virgin there depicts her holding an orange blossom branch in her hand.
 
Pronounced as a-tha-AR in European Spanish and a-sa-AR in Latin America, the name ultimately comes from the Arabic zahra meaning "flower, splendor" or "brilliant, shining" depending on the spelling. It does therefore coincide with the Arabic masculine name, Azahar, used as a Malay and Bengali form of Azhar.

Azahar

A Spanish compound name, also appearing as Ana Belén, this is a familiar choice in its native Spain. It combines classic Ana ("grace") with Belén ("Bethlehem, house of bread"), giving it a spiritual vibe. This smooshed form is used quietly in the US, given to 5 girls in a recent year. 

Anabelen

A Hispanicized form of Ailen and Ayelen , a traditionally feminine Mapuche name.

Ailen

Hannibal might be ever be connected to the fictional cannibal, Hannibal Lecter, to English ears, but this Spanish and Portuguese form provides a degree of remove from the association. Familiar (but not overly popular) in Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, and Spain, it also appeared briefly in the US Top 1000 back in the 60s and 70s, spelled without the accent, possibly thanks to the wrester known mononymously as Aníbal 
 
The name ultimately derives from Phoenician, blending the hann element, meaning "grace", with the deity title, Ba'al, making it a name that celebrates a number of storm and fertility gods from Semitic mythology. 
 
Notable bearers include former president of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, footballer Aníbal Capela, footballer Aníbal Moreno, and sociologist Aníbal Quijano.
 
Around 35 boys were called Aníbal (or Anibal) in the US in a recent year.

Aníbal

The unique O-ending makes this name memorable, especially for someone with ties to Texas.

Alamo

A Hispanicized form of Ailen or Ayelen, a Mapuche name with can mean "ember" and an Old Irish word name, translating to "island". It may appeal to fans of Ailani and Ayla.

Ailén

Spanish names that start with the letter A for boys and girls, including Aniceta, Anahí, Avianca, Amapola, Armida, Amalita, Amelida, Alameda, Agnese, Arnall, Aliria, Alirio, Atanasio, Anacleto, Azahar, Anabelen, Ailen, Aníbal, Alamo, and Ailén. (Page 6)

Spanish Names that Start With A

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