Rare, unique, and uncommon Spanish boy names

Ignacio

Spanish

"fiery"

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…

Ramon

Catalan variation of Raymond

The Latin Ramon has been in the U.S. Top 1000 since the beginning of baby-naming time, i.e. the past 130+ years. Ramon is the perfect blend of worldly and familiar, with a rocker edge via The…

Izan

Basque variation of Ethan or Japanese

"strong, firm; reliable mountain"

Izan, pronounced with the same vowel sounds and emphasis as Ethan, ranks among the Top 20 boys' names in Spain, where it's been popular for two decades. The US is starting to catch onto this…

Marcello

Italian and Spanish

"young warrior"

Based on the ancient name Marcellus, drawn from Mars the god of war, Marcello -- it's pronounced mar-chell-o -- is one of the most lush and attractive Latin names.

Guillermo

Spanish variation of William

As with Guillaume (see above), Liam, Willem, and Wilhelm, everyday Williams in their own countries, Guillermo is a captivating possibility here. Giermo, Gigermo, Gijermo, Gillermo, Gillirmo, Giyermo,…

Rey

Spanish

"king"

Sounds exactly like Ray—but with an on-trend royal vibe. The central protagonist in the newest Star Wars trilogy is a woman named Rey.

Mariano

Italian, Spanish and Portuguese

"relating to the god Mars"

A handsome and romantic-sounding European option.

Sol

Spanish

"sun"

Although pinochle-playing partner Sam came out of retirement, we don't see it happening to Sol. Near soundalike Saul has more of a shot. Sol was also a Roman god/personification of the sun, and an…

Octavio

Spanish variation of Octavius

"eighth"

The most popular of the number names used by Hispanic parents, open to all. Octavia and Octavio are two Spanish baby names that are moving out into the wider world.

Lucio

Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Lucius

"light"

About 100 baby boys were named Lucio in the US last year, a number we expect to increase with the growing popularity of all names in the Lu family. It's a family united by sound, with three main…

Rolando

Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Roland, German

"famous throughout the land"

Rolando, along with brother name Orlando, are among the most attractive and appealing of Latinate names. It has been in the US Top 1000 every year since 1946.

Gonzalo

Spanish from German

"saved from combat"

Popular among Hispanic parents, it explains the source of the nickname Gonzo.

Rodolfo

Spanish

"bold wolf"

Romanticizes Rudolph and distances the name from the red-nosed reindeer. After remaining steadily in the US Top 500 for much of the twentieth century, Rodolfo has been slipping of late.

Mauro

Spanish and Italian

"moorish"

Mauro, a Top 100 name in Spain and Puerto Rico, is etymologically unrelated to the girls' name Maura, but that won't stop many English speakers from drawing the comparison.

Montana

Spanish place-name; "mountainous"

"mountainous"

Relaxed western place-name that still has some masculine punch, but be warned: this whole posse of similarly trendy names, like Sierra and Dakota, will soon ride toward the sunset.

Manolo

Variation of Manuel

Because of shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, this has become a generic term for pricey stilettos, as in "I must have those Manolos."

Esai

Short form of Esaias or variation of Esau, Hebrew

"salvation of the Lord; hairy"

An energetic and compact Spanish name, likely derived from Esaias or Esau, it is best associated with actor Esai Morales of American Family and Bad Boys fame. Pronounced as EH-sye in Spanish, it may…

Rico

Spanish, diminutive of Ricardo

"dominant ruler"

Consider this short form for your little Richard.

Everardo

Everardo is a masculine name of Germanic origin, representing the Spanish and Italian form of Everard or Eberhard. The name combines the elements 'eber' meaning 'wild boar' (a symbol of strength and…

Teodoro

Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

"gift of God"

With brother name Theodore ranking in the US top 10, this alternative might appeal to parents looking to honor Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish heritage.