Spanish Baby Girl Names

Fri Dec 18 2020By Pamela Redmond

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.

Noa

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"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, Latin
Meaning:
"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.

Lucia Continued

Natalia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"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.

Natalia Continued

Alba

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"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 Carmel
Meaning:
"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.

Carmen Continued

Ines

Origin:
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of Agnes
Meaning:
"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 Portuguese
Meaning:
"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.

Esmeralda Continued

Yara

Origin:
Arabic
Meaning:
"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 Ramon
Meaning:
"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.

Ramona Continued

Catalina

Origin:
Spanish variation of Catherine
Meaning:
"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.

Catalina Continued

Paloma

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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.

Paloma Continued

Eulalia

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"sweetly speaking"
Description:
Eulalia is a melodious name with a southern drawl, thanks to those lilting double Ls.

Eulalia Continued

Viviana

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"life"
Description:
Lively and rhythmic version of Vivian heard in Italy and Spain. A vivid choice.

Viviana Continued

Marisol

Origin:
Spanish, contracted form of Maria de la Soledad
Meaning:
"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 Continued

Marisol

Origin:
Spanish, contracted form of Maria de la Soledad
Meaning:
"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 Continued

Reina

Origin:
Spanish, Yiddish or Japanese
Meaning:
"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.

Reina Continued

Ximena

Origin:
Feminization of Ximeno, Spanish
Meaning:
"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.

Ximena Continued

Valencia

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"brave, strong"
Description:
This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.

Valencia Continued

Serafina

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Seraphina
Meaning:
"ardent"
Description:
Serafina is a name so lovely it's worthy of an angel. But the more stylish spelling today is Seraphina.

Serafina Continued

Laia

Origin:
Catalan diminutive of Eulalia
Meaning:
"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:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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.

Dolores Continued

Rosalia

Origin:
Spanish, Latin ceremonial name
Description:
A name commonly used in Spain and Italy, it refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs.

Rosalia Continued

Estrella

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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

Estrella Continued

Araceli

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"altar of the sky"
Description:
Obscure but intriguing Spanish name. Araceli Segarra is a noted mountain climber.

Araceli Continued

Ainhoa

Origin:
Basque place name
Description:
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.

Ainhoa Continued

Ria

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"small river"
Description:
Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.

Esperanza

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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.

Esperanza Continued

Luz

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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 name
Description:
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.

Belen Continued

Jacinta

Origin:
Spanish for Greek flower name
Meaning:
"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.

Jacinta Continued

Aitana

Origin:
Spanish place-name
Description:
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.

Aitana Continued

Pilar

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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.

Pilar Continued

Reyna

Origin:
Spelling variation of Reina
Description:
This variation is actually more popular in the United States than the original Spanish Reina.

Reyna Continued

Silvia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"from the woods"
Description:
This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.

Silvia Continued

Alondra

Origin:
Pet form of Alejandra or Spanish
Meaning:
"lark"
Description:
A Spanish TV show made this one popular, along with single-named Mexican singer, Alondra.

Alondra Continued

Mariposa

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"butterfly"
Description:
Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.

Mariposa Continued

Nuria

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"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.

Nuria Continued

Jimena

Origin:
Variation of Ximena, Spanish
Meaning:
"son"
Description:
Widespread popularity in the Latino community has propelled this name up the charts.

Jimena Continued

Celestina

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Celeste
Meaning:
"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.

Celestina Continued

Raquel

Origin:
Spanish variation of Rachel
Description:
Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch.

Raquel Continued

Brisa

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"breeze"
Description:
Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.

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Rafaela

Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew Raphaela
Meaning:
"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.

Rafaela Continued

Dominica

Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of Dominic
Meaning:
"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.

Dominica Continued

Soledad

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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 Continued

Soledad

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"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 Continued

Teodora

Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Polish variation of Theodora
Meaning:
"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.

Teodora Continued

Alejandra

Origin:
Spanish variation of Alexandra
Meaning:
"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.

Alejandra Continued

Lorena

Origin:
Spanish variation of Lorraine
Description:
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.

Lorena Continued

Rosalina

Rosalina Continued

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