Spanish Boy Names

Tue Jan 26 2021By Pamela Redmond

Spanish names for boys are more popular in the US than ever before, with Spanish boy names used both in the Latinx community and crossing over to achieve widespread popularity.

The most popular Spanish names for boys in the US include Mateo, Angel, Jose, and Santiago. Many of the most familiar Spanish boys' names end with the letter O, which in itself has been a major trend and has helped boost the popularity of baby names of Spanish origin.

Along with Mateo and Angel, other Spanish boy names in the US Top 1000 include Leonardo, Diego, Luis, Antonio, Miguel, Gael, Alejandro, and Lorenzo. Baby boy names popular in Spain and Latin America include Hugo, Pablo, Alvaro, Mario, Manuel, and Javier. Other intriguing and unique Spanish names for boys in style today include Dario, Thiago, Gonzalo, and Izan.

Our full list of Spanish names for boys is below. 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.

You may also want to browse our list of Spanish names for girls.

See Unique Spanish Names for Boys

Mateo

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Mateo is a Latinate form of Matthew, which derived from the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, consisting of the elements mattan, meaning “gift” and yah, which references the Hebrew God. Mateo can also be spelled Matteo, which is the Italian variation. Matheo is an archaic Spanish spelling, although it is used in France as Mathéo.

Mateo Continued

Santiago

Origin:
Place-name or Latin
Meaning:
"Saint James"
Description:
Santiago is a spirited Spanish name with great crossover potential: a place-name (it's a city in Chile), a surname, and the patron saint of Spain. It's a name on the rise in the charts.

Santiago Continued

Leonardo

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, German
Meaning:
"brave lion"
Description:
For centuries this name was associated primarily with the towering figure of Italian Renaissance painter-scientist-inventor Leonardo da Vinci, and was scarcely used outside the Latin culture. But then along came Leonardo DiCaprio, who was supposedly given the name because his pregnant mother felt her first kick while looking at a da Vinci painting in the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence, and who would make the name young and handsome and multi-cultural.
Leonardo is a popular choice among other attractive Italian and Spanish names for boys, and its cousin Leo is popular as well.

Leonardo Continued

Jose

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Joseph
Meaning:
"Jehovah increases"
Description:
Jose is as widespread in the Hispanic community as Joseph and Joe are elsewhere in the U.S., though its numbers here are starting to decrease somewhat. Jose is one of those Spanish baby names that has never crossed over into the Anglo naming culture.

Diego

Origin:
Spanish variation of James
Meaning:
"supplanter"
Description:
The energetic Diego is rising rapidly along with a lot of other authentically Spanish baby names that work perfectly well with surnames of any origin.

Diego Continued

Carlos

Origin:
Spanish variation of Charles
Meaning:
"free man"
Description:
Notable namesakes include musician Santana, writers Fuentes and Castaneda, and numerous athletes. Carlos Irwin Estevez is the birth name of Charlie Sheen.

Carlos Continued

Juan

Origin:
Spanish variation of John
Meaning:
"the Lord is gracious"
Description:
Juan, the Spanish version of John, is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, and is familiar to all ethnicities via such references as Don Juan and San Juan.

Lorenzo

Origin:
Italian variation of Laurence
Meaning:
"from Laurentium"
Description:
Latinizing Lawrence gives it a whole new lease on life. Like Leonardo, Lorenzo has been integrated into the American stockpot of names, partly via actor Lorenzo Lamas. Other associations are with Lorenzo de' Medici, the Florentine Renaissance merchant prince and art patron, Renaissance artists Ghiberti and Lotto, and the upstanding young man who married Shylock's daughter Jessica in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

Lorenzo Continued

Antonio

Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of Anthony
Meaning:
"priceless one"
Description:
Antonio is a Shakespearean favorite -- the Bard used it in no less than five of his plays, and has long been a ubiquitous classic in Spanish-speaking countries, where the nickname Tonio is also prevalent. Antonio is also among an elite group of perennially popular names in the US, where it has always been among the boys' Top 1000 since baby name record-keeping started in 1880.

Antonio Continued

Emiliano

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Emil
Meaning:
"work"
Description:
Emiliano and Emilio are the appealing Latinate version of Emil. Emiliano Zapata Salazar was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution, who helped establish modern Mexico.

Emiliano Continued

Miguel

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Michael
Description:
Mike Tyson put a twist on his own name by naming a son Miguel. It's the first name of Cervantes, the great Spanish novelist and poet who wrote Don Quixote.

Miguel Continued

Alejandro

Origin:
Spanish variation of Alexander
Meaning:
"defending men"
Description:
Softer and smoother than Alexander, this classic Spanish name for boys has made a seamless transition to this culture. Adding to its current impact: the Lady Gaga song Alejandro .

Alejandro Continued

Matias

Origin:
Spanish variation of Matthias
Description:
The single T version of Matias is, like Mateo, the Spanish variation of the Hebrew Biblical Matthias or Matthew, while the double T version as in Mattias and Matteo is usually Italian.

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Javier

Origin:
Spanish variation of Xavier
Description:
One of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US, Javier is embodied for many Americans in the magnetic persona of Spanish-born Oscar-nominated actor Javier Bardem.

Javier Continued

Emilio

Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of Emil
Meaning:
"rival"
Description:
Dashing and popular Italian and Spanish favorite, as is Emiliano.

Emilio Continued

Maximiliano

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"greatest"
Description:
This is a Spanish variation of Maximilian that has begun to gain some popularity. It has a luxurious feel -- maybe it's the suggestion of "millions"? -- but this is one of those Spanish baby names that come with Anglicized nicknames that can make it work across cultures.

Maximiliano Continued

Rafael

Origin:
Spanish variation of Raphael
Meaning:
"God has healed"
Description:
Rafael is perhaps the ultimate romantic Latino name, not a bad gift to give your son. The Raphael spelling is the original Hebrew version.

Rafael Continued

Jorge

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of George
Description:
The classic Jorge is one of the most popular and classic Spanish names for boys in the US. Some Latine families pronounce it the same way as George.

Jorge Continued

Arlo

Origin:
Place-name, literary name, or short form of Carlo
Description:
Arlo has many possible derivations: possibly a shortened form of Italian name Carlo, and in Basque-speaking regions it is the word for area. In English, Arlo was first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queene and is thought to derive from the Celtic word Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” Arlo has become increasingly unisex, leading to the feminine variation Arlowe.

Francisco

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Francis
Meaning:
"Frenchman or free man"
Description:
Francisco is one of the more popular Spanish names for boys in the US, which is unsurprising given its popularity back in Spain and Portugal as well as Latin America, coupled with its classic status. It also has a cool hipster vibe to it, given the reputation of the city of San Francisco.

Francisco Continued

Manuel

Origin:
Spanish variation of Emmanuel
Description:
A staple of Hispanic naming, the Spanish variation of the English Emmanuel.

Manuel Continued

Cristian

Origin:
Variation of Christian.

Cristian Continued

Cruz

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"cross"
Description:
For a single-syllable Latino surname, this new popular kid on the block packs a lot of energy and charm and is one of the most stylish Spanish names for boys in general use today. Victoria and David Beckham named their third son Cruz, following Brooklyn and Romeo, and it was also picked up on by tennis star Lleyton Hewitt for his son. Other parents may prize its Christian associations.

Eduardo

Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of Edward
Meaning:
"wealthy guardian"
Description:
A stalwart of Latin nomenclature that could work just as well for Anglos. Proof lies with the celebrity birth announcement — Hilaria and Alec Baldwin named their fifth child Eduardo Pau Lucas in 2020.

Eduardo Continued

Fernando

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Ferdinand
Meaning:
"bold voyager"
Description:
Can you hear the drums Fernando? Although 58% of Nameberries prefer Ferdinand to Fernando, the Iberian variant has a softer, more romantic feel that makes it a better fit with all those Javiers, Lorenzos and Matteos.

Fernando Continued

Mario

Origin:
Italian variation of Marius
Meaning:
"Mars"
Description:
Familiar via such notable Marios as Lanza, Cuomo, Andretti, Puzo, and Van Peebles, this Italian name has been fully integrated into the US.

Mario Continued

Ricardo

Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish variation of Richard
Meaning:
"dominant ruler"
Description:
Richard is far from fashionable, but Ricardo is one of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US. And it does sound far more appealing that the English version.

Ricardo Continued

Cesar

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"head of hair"
Description:
Cesar is the sleeker version of Caesar, as in emperor Julius, used in the US most frequently by Hispanic parents who put the emphasis on the second syllable. With ancient Roman names back in vogue, Cesar might become more popular.

Cesar Continued

Joaquin

Origin:
Spanish variation of Joachim
Meaning:
"God will judge"
Description:
Actor Joaquin Phoenix (brother of River, Rain, Liberty and Summer) highlighted this one, then Kelly Ripa began talking about younger son Joaquin on her daily TV show, and presto—it's now one of the hottest and most appealing multicultural baby boy names.

Joaquin Continued

Leonel

Origin:
Variation of Lionel
Description:
A variation of Lionel that has made slow but steady gains in recent years, perhaps helped by the resurgence of Leo.

Leonel Continued

Sergio

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Sergius
Description:
Widely heard in both Italian and Spanish households, it is most identified with spaghetti western director Sergio Leone.

Sergio Continued

Ismael

Origin:
Spanish variation of Ishmael
Description:
Spanish rendition of Ishmael high on the Latino hit parade.

Ismael Continued

Marco

Origin:
Italian and Spanish form of Mark
Meaning:
"warlike"
Description:
Simple and universal, Marco is a Latin classic that would make a much livelier namesake for an Uncle Mark. It was used for her son by actress Jill Hennessy and goes well with surnames of any nationality.

Marco Continued

Ezequiel

Origin:
Variation of Ezekiel

Ezequiel Continued

Pablo

Origin:
Spanish variation of Paul
Description:
Pablo, the commonly used Spanish version of Paul, has the added bonus of some fantastic artistic bearers: painter Picasso, cellist Casals, and poet Neruda.

Pablo Continued

Pedro

Origin:
Spanish variation of Peter
Description:
Pedro is one of the most familiar Spanish names for boys, via baseball star Pedro Rodriguez and many others.

Pedro Continued

Adan

Origin:
Spanish variation of Adam
Meaning:
"son of the red earth"
Description:
Used most often in Hispanic cultures, though it does not feel like a typical Spanish name. It can also be seen as a spelling variant of the uber-popular Aidan, Aiden, Aden, etc.

Esteban

Origin:
Spanish variation of Stephen
Description:
One of several Latino favorites on U. S. popularity lists—solid and strong.

Esteban Continued

Moises

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Moses
Description:
This variation on Moses got a boost from Moises Alou, a Dominican-American baseball player who spent 17 seasons in the National League.

Moises Continued

Marcos

Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish variation of Mark
Description:
Another culture's slant on Mark, sometimes associated with former president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos and his shoe-collecting wife, Imelda.

Marcos Continued

Hugo

Origin:
Latinized form of Hugh
Meaning:
"mind, intellect"
Description:
Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's backed up by lots of solid history and European style.

Luciano

Origin:
Italian variation of Lucian
Meaning:
"light"
Description:
A vibrant, operatic Latin choice.

Luciano Continued

Alonzo

Origin:
Italian diminutive of Alphonso
Meaning:
"noble, ready"
Description:
Alonzo is dashing and debonair, with a large measure of Latin flair.

Alonzo Continued

Roberto

Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Robert
Description:
Standard Latin classic.

Roberto Continued

Enrique

Origin:
Spanish variation of Henry
Description:
This is an appealing name that could cross cultural borders, but it has lost ground in recent years.

Enrique Continued

Isaias

Origin:
Latin variation of Isaiah
Meaning:
"Salvation of the Lord"
Description:
Widely used in the Hispanic community, as is the shorter Isai. While the original Isaiah and cousin Isaac are much more popular, Isaias commanded attention as the name of a storm in the summer of 2020.

Isaias Continued

Raul

Origin:
Spanish variation of Ralph
Meaning:
"wolf counsel"
Description:
Raul and French brother Raoul are much more appealing than flat-footed daddy Ralph. Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, who starred in the Addams Family movies, brought fame to the name before his death in 1994.

Armando

Origin:
Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Herman, German
Meaning:
"soldier"
Description:
Armando takes the flat-footed Herman and makes it romantic. This is another of the Latin names we expect to be seeing more of.

Armando Continued

Rodrigo

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Roderick
Meaning:
"famous ruler"
Description:
Rhythmically appealing international spin on the stiff original.

Rodrigo Continued

Julio

Origin:
Spanish variation of Julius
Description:
What with Paul Simon's classic lyric about Julio down by the schoolyard and several distinguished bearers, this livelier Spanish version of Julius is completely familiar to the non-Hispanic community and would make a great choice for a bicultural family. NFL Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones bears this name.

Julio Continued

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See Unique Spanish Names for Boys