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Basque Names for Boys

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Basque boy names have received greater prominence with ascendance of stars such as Iker Casillas, who's inspired an unlikely craze for his name. Spain's baby name popularity list includes many Basque names for boys.

Here is a selection of Basque boys' names for your consideration. 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. Xavier

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "new house"

    • Description:

      Xavier originated is use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "castle" or "new house."
  2. Inigo

    • Origin:

      Basque, medieval Spanish variation of Ignatius

    • Meaning:

      "fiery"

    • Description:

      Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.
  3. Iker

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "visitation"

    • Description:

      Long an extremely popular name in Spain, Iker (usually pronounced EE-kuhr in the English speaking world) is the rare Basque name that's starting to make it big in the States also, thanks to soccer player Iker Casillas. Indeed, it's been one of the fastest growing boys' names of the decade.
  4. Izar

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Used more for girls in Europe, but definitely sounds masculine enough for a boy here.
  5. Eneko

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "my little one"

    • Description:

      Despite Eneko's very sweet meaning, it packs a lot of historical punch. Eneko Aritza was the first Basque king of Pamplona. It is somewhat related to the more well known Inigo.
  6. Zorian

    • Description:

      Zorian is a masculine name with Slavic and Greek roots. It derives from the Slavic element 'zor' or 'zori' meaning 'dawn' or 'sunrise,' symbolizing new beginnings and hope. Some connect it to the Greek name Zorus or to Zorios, an epithet of Apollo as a god of light. In Eastern European countries, particularly Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, Zorian has historical usage though it remains relatively uncommon. The name carries a celestial quality with its connection to light and daybreak, while its distinctive sound offers a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. Zorian has gained modest international appeal in recent years as parents seek names that are both meaningful and uncommon, with a balanced combination of strength and melodic quality.

  7. Ilario

    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"

    • Description:

      Ilario's merry, jovial sound reflects a shared root with the word hilarious.
  8. Ilari

    • Origin:

      Finnish form of Hilarius, Roman, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "cheerful"

    • Description:

      Light and cheerful as its meaning but with plenty of substance, Ilari is the Finnish form of Hilarius and Hillary. Used as a masculine name in Finland, it is used, albeit quietly, as a unisex option elsewhere.
  9. Zeru

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "sky"

    • Description:

      English speakers will think you invented this one, but it's a hidden nature name from the Basque country in present-day Spain. Some may find it too close to "zero" for comfort.
  10. Itzal

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "Shadow"

    • Description:

      The Basque name, meaning shadow, has the virtue of having both an interesting meaning and an obvious pronunciation.
  11. Zorion

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "happiness"

    • Description:

      Zorion may seem like a funky variation of Orion or Zorro to most English-speakers, but it is a genuine Basque name meaning happiness. The feminine version of this lovely name is Zorione.
  12. Ibon

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "river"

    • Description:

      Ibon is a masculine Basque name with ancient origins in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. Compact and distinctive, Ibon has remained somewhat exclusive to Basque communities, where maintaining cultural heritage through traditional naming practices holds particular importance. The name is also associated with Ibón, the Basque word for small mountain lakes formed by glaciers in the Pyrenees, giving it a connection to the striking natural landscape of the region. Despite its brevity, Ibon carries cultural significance for those of Basque heritage. Outside Basque communities, the name remains unusual but accessible, with its simple pronunciation and spelling making it internationally viable.
  13. Mikel

    • Origin:

      Basque and Scandinavian variation of Michael

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God"

    • Description:

      A Basque and Scandinavian form of Michael, pronounced MEE-kel. In the US, it is sometimes chosen as a modern alternative spelling of Michael.
  14. Iara

    • Description:

      Iara, while listed as masculine here, is traditionally a feminine name with Brazilian origins, derived from ancient Tupi-Guarani mythology. In Brazilian folklore, Iara (or Yara) is a water nymph or siren-like figure, often depicted as a beautiful woman with green hair who lives in the Amazon River. The name means "water lady" or "lady of the lake" in the indigenous Tupi language. Iara has a melodic, flowing quality that reflects its connection to water. It remains moderately popular in Brazil and has gained some international recognition. The name carries an exotic appeal with its mythological roots and musical sound. Iara possesses a mystical quality while remaining accessible and pronounceable across different languages.

  15. Unai

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "cowherd"

    • Description:

      Popular name in Spain's Basque country, thanks to cowboyish meaning, virtually unknown elsewhere.
  16. Aureline

    • Description:

      Aureline is an uncommon masculine name with Latin origins, derived from "aureus" meaning "golden" or "gilded." It's related to the more familiar feminine name Aurelia and the masculine Aurelius, names that were popular in ancient Rome. Aureline suggests qualities of brightness, value, and radiance. While not widely used in modern times, it carries an elegant, somewhat aristocratic quality. The name may appeal to parents seeking something distinctive with classical roots. Aureline shares connections with other gold-related names like Aurelia, Aurelio, and Orion. Its rarity gives it a unique quality while still retaining recognizable linguistic elements and a melodious sound.
  17. Samsó

    • Description:

      Samsó is a distinctive masculine name with Catalan origins, primarily found in northeastern Spain and parts of France near the Pyrenees mountains. It corresponds to the biblical name Samson, which derives from Hebrew and means "sun child" or "like the sun." In biblical tradition, Samson was known for his extraordinary strength. The Catalan version features an acute accent on the final letter, indicating stress on the last syllable (sam-SOH). While uncommon outside Catalan-speaking regions, Samsó carries the historical and biblical gravitas of its origin while offering a melodic Mediterranean sound. The name combines ancient heritage with a distinctive regional character.
  18. Argider

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful light"

    • Description:

      Argider is a somewhat used boys' name in Basque-speaking parts of Spain.
  19. Abarran

    • Origin:

      Basque, from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of multitudes"

    • Description:

      Abarran is a rare masculine name with Basque origins. In the Basque language and culture of northern Spain and southwestern France, the name may be connected to place names in the region. The name carries a strong, distinctive sound with its double 'r' consonant, which is characteristic of Basque phonology. Abarran remains extremely uncommon internationally, making it a truly distinctive choice. Those seeking names with European heritage but outside the mainstream might be drawn to its unique quality. The name's rarity means it doesn't have established nickname traditions, though 'Aba' or 'Barran' could emerge naturally. Its usage remains primarily connected to Basque cultural heritage.
  20. Ixidor

    • Description:

      Ixidor is a distinctive masculine name with a mysterious quality, likely of modern invented origin rather than traditional usage. The name may draw inspiration from fantasy literature, gaming, or creative fiction where unusual letter combinations and exotic-sounding names are popular. The combination of the uncommon initial 'Ix' and the mythological resonance of the ending creates a name with a magical or otherworldly quality. Ixidor gained some recognition among gaming communities through a character in Magic: The Gathering. As a given name, it remains extremely rare, appealing primarily to parents seeking names with fantastical associations or unique phonetic qualities. The name has a melodic pronunciation despite its unusual spelling, combining distinctiveness with a somewhat accessible sound pattern.