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Basque Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Basque girl names are prominent on Spain's popularity list, with such choices as Ainara and Leire ranking in the Top 50. Basque names for girls you may want to consider include the following.

The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Amaya

    • Origin:

      Spanish version of Amaia or Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "mother city; the end; night rain"

    • Description:

      The Spanish form of Amaya is both a given name and a surname, originating from the Spanish mountain and village of Amaya. In this context it means "mother city" or "the capital." Amaya can also be considered a derivation of Amaia, a Basque name meaning "the end." In Japan, Amaya is a surname.
  2. Naiara

    • Origin:

      Basque place name

    • Description:

      Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
  3. Lourdes

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, from French, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      This name of the French town where a young peasant girl had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1858 vaulted into the spotlight when Madonna chose it for her daughter, but few other families except for devout Roman Catholics have followed her lead (any more than they've used Rocco for their sons).
  4. Nayara

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Naiara, Basque place-name

    • Description:

      Nayara or Naiara is a Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
  5. Leire

    • Origin:

      Basque place name

    • Description:

      Also spelled Leyre and taken from the name of a monastery fortress, the popular and lilting choice in Spain will pose pronunciation problems elsewhere. Among the Top 100 girls' names in Spain, Leire was given to only a handful of baby girls in the US last year.
  6. Nerea

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "mine"

    • Description:

      A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.
  7. Ainhoa

    • Origin:

      Basque place name

    • Description:

      The name of the French town where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, this name is in the Spanish Top 100 and was, until recently, virtually unheard of elsewhere. Now however it is familiar in Puerto Rico and Chile, and as of 2019, it has been a feature in the US Top 1000.
  8. Arantxa

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "thornbush"

    • Description:

      Basque names, indeed the entire Basque language, are unrelated to any other. Arantxa is a diminutive of Arantzazu. This obscure choice was made known by tennis player Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
  9. Elixane

    • Origin:

      Basque, diminutive or local variant of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      A rare name even among Basque speakers (fewer than 20 women in Spain are called Elixane), this beautiful name has drawn some attention via Elixane Lechemia, the French pro-tennis player.
  10. Ximenia

    • Origin:

      Spanish nature name

    • Description:

      For any parents out there searching for a nature name starting with x -- and we doubt there are many -- this one, named for a Spanish monk called Ximenes, is a small tropical plant bearing wild limes.
  11. Jone

    • Description:

      Jone is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It can be viewed as a variant spelling of Joan, which derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In Basque culture, Jone is a distinct female name pronounced 'HO-neh' and is associated with the moon. The name also appears occasionally as a variation of Joni or as a simplified form of Joanne. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Jone has seen modest usage historically. Its simplicity gives it a clean, modern appeal despite its ancient roots. The name's cross-cultural presence means it can function well internationally, being easily pronounced in various languages. Jone offers a streamlined alternative to more common variants like Joan or Joanna while maintaining their graceful qualities and historical significance.

  12. Irati

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "fern field"

    • Description:

      For the parent who genuinely wants something different, this nature choice is popular in Spain. Downside: connection to words irate and irritation.
  13. Nekane

    • Origin:

      Basque form of Dolores

    • Meaning:

      "sorrows"

    • Description:

      Nekane is the decidedly modern, upbeat-sounding Basque form of the sorrowful and dated Spanish Dolores. Basque names, largely unknown in English-speaking countries, offer a fresh lexicon of names, and Nekane is one of the more appealing. An interesting update for Nicole.
  14. Nere

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "mine"

    • Description:

      As Nerea, in the Spanish Top 100, but this streamlined version is one of those golden choices that's both supremely simple and intriguingly rare.
  15. Xuxa

    • Origin:

      Portuguese
  16. Jakinda

    • Description:

      Jakinda is a feminine name with African roots, particularly found in East African communities. The name likely derives from combining elements that signify strength and beauty in languages like Swahili. While not widely used in Western countries, Jakinda carries a melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking distinctive names with cultural depth. The name may convey meanings related to 'bright future' or 'beloved daughter' depending on specific regional interpretations. Jakinda remains relatively uncommon in global name rankings, giving it a unique quality for those who bear it. Its pronunciation (jah-KIN-dah) creates a rhythmic, memorable impression.
  17. Ibane

    • Description:

      Ibane is a feminine name with Basque origins, where it's considered a variant of the name Ivana or Joan, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In Basque culture, which has preserved one of Europe's oldest and most distinctive languages, Ibane represents a connection to this unique heritage. The name remains relatively uncommon outside the Basque regions of northern Spain and southwestern France, giving it an exotic and distinctive quality in most parts of the world. Ibane has a melodic, flowing sound with its soft consonants and open ending. For those with Basque ancestry or those simply drawn to its unusual yet accessible sound, Ibane offers a name that is both distinctive and culturally rich.
  18. Arrosa

    • Description:

      Arrosa is a feminine name of Basque origin meaning "rose." The Basque language is one of Europe's oldest and is spoken in regions of northern Spain and southwestern France. Unlike many European languages that adopted the Latin-derived "rosa" for the flower, Basque developed its own distinctive form. Arrosa carries the same floral symbolism of beauty, love, and passion associated with roses across cultures, but with a unique linguistic heritage. The double 'r' creates a rolling sound characteristic of Basque pronunciation. While relatively uncommon outside Basque-speaking regions, Arrosa offers a distinctive alternative to more familiar rose-inspired names like Rose, Rosie, or Rosa, appealing to parents seeking a name with both natural beauty and unusual cultural roots.

  19. Guevara

    • Origin:

      Basque place- and surname

    • Description:

      Revolutionary choice.
  20. Urraca

    • Origin:

      Basque or Portuguese, 'magpie'

    • Description:

      Urraca was the name of many infantas and queens of several medieval Iberian kingdoms (most notably Leon). Despite its royal roots, Urraca is one of the names best left to the history books.