Spanish Baby Girl Names

Spanish baby names for girls include several choices familiar to non-Spanish speakers: Maria, Sofia, and Lucia, for instance. And then there are other girl names, popular in Latin and South America as well as in Spain, largely unused outside Spanish-speaking cultures.
Spanish girl names popular in the US, Latin America, South America, and Spain include Lucia, Sofia (the Spanish spelling of the popular Sophia) and the classic Maria. The list of most popular names in Spain includes such girl names as Vega, Laia, Candela, Aitana, and Jimena, all still very exotic in the English-speaking community.
Spanish names for girls are beautiful, romantic, and always desirable. Search our hand-curated list of our favorite Spanish names for girls below.
Spanish girl names popular in the US, Latin America, South America, and Spain include Lucia, Sofia (the Spanish spelling of the popular Sophia) and the classic Maria. The list of most popular names in Spain includes such girl names as Vega, Laia, Candela, Aitana, and Jimena, all still very exotic in the English-speaking community.
Spanish names for girls are beautiful, romantic, and always desirable. Search our hand-curated list of our favorite Spanish names for girls below.
Noa
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"motion"Description:
This Old Testament female name has been one of the most popular girls’ names in Israel over the last decade. Also highly popular in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, and a new entrant to the US Top 1000, it may be misunderstood here as an attempt to streamline and feminize the more familiar Noah – although it's a separate name with a separate derivation.
Lucia
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of Lucius, LatinMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucia is derived from lux, the Latin word for light. It is considered to be the feminine form of Lucius as well as the Latinate spelling of Lucy. Due to its connection to light, Lucia was traditionally given to babies born as daylight was breaking.
Natalia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"birthday [of the Lord]"Description:
Natalia was derived from the Latin word natalis, meaning “birthday.” It refers to the birthday of Jesus Christ, and thus originated as a name for girls born on Christmas Day. Related forms include the French Natalie, Portuguese Natalina, and Russian diminutive Natasha.
Alba
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"Description:
Alba is quietly making a behind-the-scenes comeback, perhaps thanks to actress turned baby-product mogul Jessica Alba. Last on the Top 1000 a century ago, the name was given to more than 150 baby girls in the US last year. Alba might be tomorrow's successor to Ava and Ella. In Spain, Alba ranks among the Top 10 girls' names. Alba is the name of a character in The Time Traveler's Wife.
Carmen
Origin:
Spanish variation of CarmelMeaning:
"garden"Description:
Carmen has long been associated with the sensuous, tragic heroine of Bizet's opera, based on a novel by Prosper Merimee; more recently it has called to mind two other bombshells: Carmen Miranda (born Maria) and Carmen Electra (born Tara), as well as the great jazz singer Carmen McRae. In the celebrity baby name world, this classic Spanish name for girls was used by Hilaria and Alec Baldwin for their daughter.
Ines
Origin:
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody true romances in history!
Esmeralda
Origin:
Spanish and PortugueseMeaning:
"emerald"Description:
Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the Gypsy heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.
Yara
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"small butterfly"Description:
The exotic Yara is also the name of a beautiful green-skinned Brazilian goddess and might make a more unusual spin on Mara or Sara.
Ramona
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of RamonMeaning:
"wise protector"Description:
Ramona is a Sweet Spot name--neither too trendy nor too eccentric. Kids will associate it with the clever Ramona Quimby character in the series of books by Beverly Cleary, also seen on TV. It was chosen by starcouple Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard for their little girl, who would be joined by sister Gloria.
Catalina
Origin:
Spanish variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin.
Paloma
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Paloma is vibrant and ruby-lipped a la jewelry designer Paloma Picasso, but it also suggests peace, as symbolized by the dove. Paloma is a highly recommended striking but soft name, one of the best of the names that mean peace and girls' names starting with P.
Eulalia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sweetly speaking"Description:
Eulalia is a melodious name with a southern drawl, thanks to those lilting double Ls.
Viviana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Lively and rhythmic version of Vivian heard in Italy and Spain. A vivid choice.
Marisol
Origin:
Spanish, contracted form of Maria de la SoledadMeaning:
"Mary of Solitude"Description:
Marisol is a favorite Spanish name for girls, and an excellent candidate to cross the culture line, a la Soledad and Paz.
Marisol
Origin:
Spanish, contracted form of Maria de la SoledadMeaning:
"Mary of Solitude"Description:
Marisol is a favorite Spanish name for girls, and an excellent candidate to cross the culture line, a la Soledad and Paz.
Reina
Origin:
Spanish, Yiddish or JapaneseMeaning:
"queen; pure; wise"Description:
An appellation for the Virgin Mary, "Queen of the apostles." After three years off the US popularity charts, Reina rejoined the list in 2014, though it lags behind alternate spellings Raina, Rayna, and Reyna. It is also used in Yiddish and in Japanese.
Ximena
Origin:
Feminization of Ximeno, SpanishMeaning:
"son"Description:
Ximena, sometimes spelled Jimena, is a variation of boys’ name Ximeno. Spanish origins and popularity in the Latino community have boosted this name's popularity. Ximena Diaz was the wife of the Spanish national hero known as El Cid. Several well known Latin American actresses bear this name.
Valencia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"brave, strong"Description:
This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.
Serafina
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of SeraphinaMeaning:
"ardent"Description:
Serafina is a name so lovely it's worthy of an angel. But the more stylish spelling today is Seraphina.
Laia
Origin:
Catalan diminutive of EulaliaMeaning:
"sweet-speaking"Description:
Saint Eulalia was born in Spain and is the patron saint of Barcelona, so her name and its derivatives are popular throughout the land.
Dolores
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"lady of sorrows"Description:
Though it's related to the Virgin Mary, this name was once perceived as the height of exotic sensuality, a role since taken over by nicknames Lola and Lolita.
Rosalia
Origin:
Spanish, Latin ceremonial nameDescription:
A name commonly used in Spain and Italy, it refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs.
Estrella
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"star"Description:
Rising star among Hispanic families that would make a good cross-cultural choice. A morepopular name with the same stellar meaning is Esther
Araceli
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"altar of the sky"Description:
Obscure but intriguing Spanish name. Araceli Segarra is a noted mountain climber.
Ainhoa
Origin:
Basque place nameDescription:
Name of the French town where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, this name, virtually unknown elsewhere, is in the Spanish Top 100.
Ria
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"small river"Description:
Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.
Esperanza
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"hope, expectation"Description:
Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New Artist Grammy from favorite Justin Bieber. It's also the name of the main character in the novel The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, about a young Latina growing up in Chicago.
Luz
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Pronounced LOOSE, this name that refers to the Virgin Mary—"Our Lady of Light"—is one of the most widely used Spanish name for girls. Its sleekness and stylish final z gives it a modern appeal, like sister name Lux. Nicknames and variations include Chitta, Lucecita, Lucelida, Lucelita, Lucha, Lucida, Lucila, Lusa, and Luzana.
Vida
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"life"Description:
Like Vita and Viva, one of several similar life-affirming names, this one was chosen by Matthew McConaughey and his Portuguese-born wife Camila. Vida may also be a diminutive of Davida. Australian suffragette and human rights campainer Vida Goldstein is an notable bearer of this name.
Belen
Origin:
Spanish place nameDescription:
Actually the Spanish name for Bethlehem, which means "house of bread," this name is high on Spain's popularity list and is rising in the US as well. Though this is one of the Spanish names for girls that has not for the most part crossed over to the English-speaking population, that could change thanks to its similarity to the popular Belle or Bella.
Jacinta
Origin:
Spanish for Greek flower nameMeaning:
"hyacinth"Description:
Jacinta, the Spanish word for hyacinth, is a lot softer and sweeter than the English version. The correct Spanish pronunciation is ha-SEEN-ta, though many English speakers would say ja-SIN-ta. Although the name is slightly different, Jacinta is largely associated at present with Australian-born actress Jacinda Barrett.
Aitana
Origin:
Spanish place-nameDescription:
Aitana is the name of a Spanish mountain used by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter. He reportedly chose it because the mountain was his last glimpse of Spain when he went into exile after the Spanish Civil War. The name was popularized by Aitana Alberti's goddaughter and namesake, actress Aitana Sanchez-Gijan. It became one of the fastest-rising girls names in 2016, after entering the US Top 1000 in 2015, and is among the most popular Spanish names for girls in its native Spain and beyond.
Pilar
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"pillar"Description:
The fact that this Spanish classic, which honors the Virgin Mary, does not end in the conventional letter 'a' gives it a special sense of strength, elegance, and style, making it a worthy choice.
Reyna
Origin:
Spelling variation of ReinaDescription:
This variation is actually more popular in the United States than the original Spanish Reina.
Silvia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from the woods"Description:
This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.
Alondra
Origin:
Pet form of Alejandra or SpanishMeaning:
"lark"Description:
A Spanish TV show made this one popular, along with single-named Mexican singer, Alondra.
Mariposa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"butterfly"Description:
Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
Nuria
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fire of the Lord"Description:
Nuria is popular in Spain and Portugal (top 50 in both countries) where it is deeply associated with the Virgin Mary.
Jimena
Origin:
Variation of Ximena, SpanishMeaning:
"son"Description:
Widespread popularity in the Latino community has propelled this name up the charts.
Celestina
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of CelesteMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
We are hearing more of such heavenly names as Celeste and Celia, which opens the door to the range of lovely variations rarely heard before. Celestina is one of them, though given the more accessible options, it may be gilding the lily.
Raquel
Origin:
Spanish variation of RachelDescription:
Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch.
Brisa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"breeze"Description:
Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.
Rafaela
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew RaphaelaMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
Spell it Rafaela (Spanish), Raffaella (Italian), Rafaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), this is a euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, which is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
Soledad
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"solitude"Description:
This strong Spanish name that refers to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Solitude) has been made accessible by broadcaster Soledad O'Brien -- who shows how well it combines with an Anglo surname. Her birth name was Maria de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien.
Soledad
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"solitude"Description:
This strong Spanish name that refers to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Solitude) has been made accessible by broadcaster Soledad O'Brien -- who shows how well it combines with an Anglo surname. Her birth name was Maria de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien.
Teodora
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Polish variation of TheodoraMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Teodora is an extremely attractive and exotic choice, with several equally attractive, user-friendly nicknames and more edge and sheer phonic appeal than the English form, Theodora. Appealing short forms might include Tea, Dora, or Dory.
Alejandra
Origin:
Spanish variation of AlexandraMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Alejandra, the Spanish form of this popular and multivaried name, has fans both in and outside the Latino community. Still, it has lost ground since its peak in the 1990s.
Lorena
Origin:
Spanish variation of LorraineDescription:
A feminine name heard most often in the Hispanic community. Surprisingly, Lorena was on the US Top 1000 list of girls' names for an impressive 130 years, from 1880 until falling off in 2011. We do not predict an imminent return.
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Create an account and you can create lists, keep track of favorites, and even be alerted when there is new content posted about a name.
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