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Spanish Names that Start With I

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Isla

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name or Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
  2. Isabella

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Isabella has been a Top 10 name for girls in the US for two decades now. The Latinate form of Isabel, a variation of Elizabeth which originally derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, Isabella reigned as Number 1 in 2009 and 2010.
  3. Isabel

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Isabel derived from Elizabeth in southwest Europe during the Middle Ages. It was originally written as Elisabel, but the first syllable was dropped as it spread across the continent. In Spain and Portugal, Isabel and Elizabeth are considered to be variations of the same name, but they are treated as separate names in other European countries and the US.
  4. 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.
  5. Ilsa

    • Origin:

      German variation of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Ilsa is remembered as the radiant but tragic heroine of "Casablanca," and it's having something of a European resurgence.
  6. Itzel

    • Origin:

      Mayan

    • Meaning:

      "rainbow lady"

    • Description:

      This name, stemming from the Mayan mythological figure of the Rainbow Lady, is a surprising pop hit, primarily among Hispanic parents.
  7. Iola

    • Origin:

      Greek or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "violet; beautiful lady"

    • Description:

      Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
  8. Isidro

    • Origin:

      Spanish form of Isidoros, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Isis"

    • Description:

      Another Spanish boys' name that relates to a goddess, the Egyptian Isis. San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid.
  9. Ignacio

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "fiery"

    • Description:

      Ignacio, like Horacio, makes its gray-bearded English equivalent name sound positively dashing. While the Ig- beginning summons up such associations as ignoble and ignorant, the era for Ignacio and Ignatius and Iggy may be nigh.
  10. Isra

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "journey of the night"

    • Description:

      Isra is a gender-neutral Arabic name. The name of a chapter of the Quran, it refers to the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem.
  11. Ishmael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God will hear"

    • Description:

      Ishmael is most familiar through "Call me Ishmael," the opening line spoken by the youthful narrator of Moby-Dick. Few American parents have followed that advice, though the Spanish and Arabic spelling, Ismael, ranks at Number 362. With its warm and pleasant sound, though, we could see Ishmael tagging along behind Isaiah and Isaac.
  12. Ismael

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Ishmael

    • Meaning:

      "God will hear"

    • Description:

      Ismael is Spanish and Portuguese rendition of the Biblical name Ishmael and the form used in the Greek New Testament. Currently, it is the variant that ranks most highly on the US charts and it is popular among the Hispanic community, both in the US, and globally.
  13. Ilma

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Hungarian, Spanish, or literary Quenya

    • Meaning:

      "air; starlight"

    • Description:

      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.
  14. Inesa

    • Origin:

      Lithuanian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure, virginal"

    • Description:

      This Lithuanian form of Agnes sounds sweet and versatile internationally.
  15. Isreal

    • Description:

      Isreal is a masculine name that appears to be a spelling variant of Israel, with ancient Hebrew origins. The biblical name Israel carries profound significance, meaning "one who struggles with God" or "God contends," originating from the story of Jacob in the Book of Genesis. The Isreal spelling variant may have emerged through regional pronunciation differences or spelling adaptations. While less common than the traditional Israel spelling, Isreal maintains the same rich biblical and historical associations. The name connects to both the biblical patriarch and the modern nation, carrying spiritual significance across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. Its distinctive spelling offers a subtle differentiation while preserving the name's cultural and religious heritage and powerful meaning.

  16. Ignazio

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian form of Ignatius, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fire"

    • Description:

      Ignazio is the Spanish and Italian form of Ignatius, a masculine name derived from the Latin 'ignis' meaning 'fire.' This passionate name has deep historical roots, most notably associated with Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Ignazio carries a rich cultural heritage, particularly in Italy and other Catholic regions where it has maintained steady popularity through generations.
  17. Ignatio

    • Description:

      Ignatio is a masculine name representing a variation of Ignatius, which derives from the Latin name Ignatius, originally from the Roman family name Egnatius of Etruscan origins. The name gained prominence through Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. This particular spelling variation, Ignatio, shows Spanish or Italian influence, where it's sometimes used as an alternative to Ignacio (Spanish) or Ignazio (Italian). The name carries connotations of fiery passion and ardor, as it relates to the Latin word 'ignis' meaning 'fire.' Though less common than its variants, Ignatio maintains the dignified, classical quality of the original while offering a slightly distinctive spelling for those seeking a traditional name with individual character.
  18. Israh

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "night travel"

    • Description:

      Israh which is also spelled Isra is a gender-neutral Muslim name.
  19. Iago

    • Origin:

      Welsh and Galician variation of James and Jacob

    • Description:

      Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello, was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.
  20. Immaculada

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "immaculate"

    • Description:

      Even purer than Chastity...and as difficult, at least outside the Hispanic community.