Basque Names for Girls

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Alazne is a traditional name in Euskera, the language of the Basque people.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Revolutionary choice.