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150 top Spanish baby names in 2026

Fancy a slice of sunny Spain? Say hola to the best Spanish names for your little chica or chico.

By Louise Baty | Last updated Nov 20, 2025

Mother holding baby

¡Felicidades! You’re having a bebé! If you have Spanish or Latin American heritage or just love Spanish culture (and hey, who doesn’t adore a steaming plate of paella washed down with a glass of Rioja in the sunshine?) then we’re here to give you some popular baby name ideas for your niña or niño.

Spanish is the world's second-most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese. According to the Cervantes Institute’s 2022 yearbook, there are an estimated 500 million native Spanish speakers globally. This figure covers not only Spain itself but also South American countries that have Spanish as their first language, including Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Chile amongst others. It makes sense that Spanish baby names are loved by parents globally.

When choosing a Spanish name for your baby, how about emulating celebrities hailing from Spain or from South America, whose first language is Spanish? These include Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Gorka Márquez, tennis player Rafael Nadal, racing driver Fernando Alonso and actors Javier Bardem, Ana de Armas and Sofía Vergara.

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How we chose the top Spanish baby names

To round up the best Spanish baby names, we first checked the top 100 baby names for boys and girls in England and Wales, as listed by ONS (latest list released May 2024). From these lists, we selected any with a Spanish origin. 

We then analysed the top Spanish baby names being chosen by parents in Spain right now using the latest figures from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, which lists the top 100 baby names for girls and boys each year. In this section, we also included Spanish names loved and chosen by parents on our Baby Names forum as well as names mentioned in our other Mumsnet baby names articles.

To give you as many ideas as possible, we’ve included some lovely unique names that don’t feature in either the official Spanish stats or the ONS stats. We’ve also listed some unisex Spanish names for you to look at.

A quick word to the wise - the Spanish language has its origins in the ancient language of Latin. Many of the names we’ve included in this list have multiple origins, including Latin, Spanish and very often Italian, which also has its roots in Latin. With there being a language variation in the Basque region and Catalonia, we’ve included some names from these specific areas too.

Here are the top 10 baby names in Spain for both girls and boys. Not all the names have Spanish origin but it gives you an idea of what’s popular with Spanish parents right now.

Top 10 baby girl names in Spain, as listed by Instituto Nacional de Estadística:

1. Lucia

2. Sofía

3. Martina

4. Valeria

5. Maria

6. Julia

7. Paula

8. Emma

9. Olivia

10. Daniela

Top 10 baby boy names in Spain, as listed by Instituto Nacional de Estadística:

1. Martin

2. Mateo

3. Hugo

4. Leo

5. Lucas

6. Manuel

7. Alejandro

8. Pablo

9. Daniel

10. Alvaro

Popular Spanish girl names

1. Abril

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Portuguese (form of April)

  • Meaning: To open

2. Adriana

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Dark

3. Aitana

  • Origin: Spanish, Basque, Arabic

  • Meaning: The Sierra de Aitana mountain, glory or strength

4. Alba

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: White, bright, dawn or sunrise

5. Alejandra

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek (form of Alexandra)

  • Meaning: Defender of mankind

6. Alma

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Nourishing or the soul

7. Aina

  • Origin: Catalan (form of Anna)

  • Meaning: Grace

8. Ainara

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Swallow (the bird)

9. Ainhoa

  • Origin: Spanish, Basque

  • Meaning: Town in the Basque region

10. Ana

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Grace

11. Ariadna

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek (form of Ariadne)

  • Meaning: Most holy

12. Aroa

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Era, time

13. Blanca

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: White

14. Camila

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin Portuguese

  • Meaning: Young ceremonial attendant

15. Candela

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Candle

16. Carla

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, German, Portuguese, Italian

  • Meaning: Free woman or strong woman

17. Carlota 

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Free woman

18. Carmen

  • Origin: Spanish, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Garden

19. Carolina

  • Origin: Spanish (form of Caroline), Latin

  • Meaning: Free woman

20. Cataleya

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Orchid

21. Cayetana

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Person from Gaeta

22. Clara

  • Origin: Spanish, Catalan, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Bright or clear

23. Elena

  • Origin Spanish, Italian, Greek

  • Meaning: Shining light

24. Elia

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Jehovah is God

25. Gala

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Scandinavian, Greek,

  • Meaning: Man from Gallus, rooster, singer or milk

26. Jimena (or Ximena)

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Son

27. Inés

  • Origin: Spanish (form of Agnes), Portuguese

  • Meaning: Pure, virginal

28. Iria

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek (form of Iris)

  • Meaning: Rainbow, woman of peace

29. Laia

  • Origin: Spanish, Catalan

  • Meaning: Sweet-speaking

30. Leire (or Leyre)

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Mountain or ancient monastery in the Navarre region

31. Lía

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Weary

32. Lola

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Lady of sorrows      

33. Lucia

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Light

34. Luisa

  • Origin: Spanish, German (variation of Louise)

  • Meaning: Famous warrior

35. Luna

  • Origin: Italian, Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Moon

36. Manuela

  • Origin: Spanish, Hebrew

  • Meaning: God is with us

37. María

  • Origin Spanish, Latin, Galician (form of Maria)

  • Meaning: Star or drop of the sea, bitter or beloved

38. Marina

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Of the sea

39. Marta

  • Origin: Latin, Italian, Spanish

  • Meaning: Lady

40. Naia

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Wave or sea foam

41. Nora

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek, Italian, German, Scottish, English (diminutive of Leonora)

  • Meaning: Light

42. Ona

  • Origin: Catalan, Lithuanian

  • Meaning: Wave or one who is alone

43. Mar

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Sea

44. Martina

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: War-like

45. Paloma

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Dove or pigeon

46. Paula

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Small or humble

47. Rocio

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Dew

48. Sofía 

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek

  • Meaning: Wisdom

49. Triana

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Of the third gate

50. Valentina

  • Origin: Latin, Italian, Spanish

  • Meaning: Brave or love

51. Valeria

  • Origin Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Strong or healthy

52. Vera

  • Origin: Latin, Spanish, Russian

  • Meaning: True or truth or faith

53. Vega

  • Origin: Spanish, Arabic

  • Meaning: Dweller in the meadow

54. Violeta

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Violet flower, purple

What Mumsnetters say about popular Spanish girl names

“Paloma means pigeon and dove. Usually pigeon in Spain though.” - Mumsnet user, TakeYourFinalPosition

Popular Spanish boy names

55. Alberto

  • Origin: Spanish, German (derived from Albert)

  • Meaning: Noble or bright

56. Aleix

  • Origin: Catalan, Greek (derived from Alexius)

  • Meaning: To defend or protect

57. Alejandro

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek (form of Alexander)

  • Meaning: Defender of mankind

58. Aitor

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Father

59. Alonso

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Noble, eager, ready for battle

60. Álvaro

  • Origin: Spanish, Galician, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Elf warrior

61. Andrés

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Warrior

62. Antonio

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Croatian

  • Meaning: Highly praiseworthy

63. Arnau

  • Origin: Catalan, Spanish

  • Meaning: Eagle ruler

64. Biel

  • Origin: Catalan, Hebrew (derived from Gabriel)

  • Meaning: Man of God

65. Bruno

  • Origin: Latin, German, Spanish

  • Meaning: Brown

66. Carlos

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese, German

  • Meaning: Free man

67. Dario

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian, Croatian

  • Meaning: Rich

68. Diego 

  • Origin: Spanish, Old Greek, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Supplanter

69. Enzo

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Home ruler

70. Fabio

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Bean

71. Federico

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: King or ruler

72. Fernando

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Adventurer, bold voyager

73. Gael

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: The light

74. Gorka

  • Origin: Basque (form of George)

  • Meaning: Earth worker or farmer

75. Hugo

  • Origin Spanish, German, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Mind, intellect

76. Ignacio

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Fiery

77. Iker

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Visitation

78. Izan

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Strong, firm, reliable mountain

79. Javier

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: New house

80. Jorge

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Farmer or earthworker

81. José

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Jehovah increases

82. Juan

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: The Lord is gracious

83. Julen

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Youthful, downy

84. Luca (or Luka)

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Bringer of light

85. Luis (or Luís)

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese, German, French (variation of Louis/Louie)

  • Meaning: Famous warrior

86. Manuel

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: God is with us

87. Marcos

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Warlike

88. Mario

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Warlike

89. Marti

  • Origin: Catalan, Spanish

  • Meaning: Warlike

90. Martín

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Mars the Roman God

91. Mauro

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Dark or swarthy

92. Mateo

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Gift of God

93. Matias

  • Origin: Spanish, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Gift of God

94. Maximo

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Greatest

95. Miguel

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Who is like God?

96. Neizan

  • Origin: Spanish, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Given

97. Nico

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek, Italian, French

  • Meaning: Victory of the people

98. Nicolas

  • Origin: Spanish, French, Greek (derived from Nicholas)

  • Meaning: Victory of the people

99. Nil

  • Origin: Catalan, Russian

  • Meaning: Cloud

100. Pablo

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Small

101. Pedro

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Rock, stone

102. Pol

  • Origin: Catalan

  • Meaning: Small

103. Rafael

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: God has healed

104. Raúl

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning Wolf counsel

105. Rodrigo

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Famous ruler

106. Santiago

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Patron saint of Saint James, patron saint of Spain

107. Sergio

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Servant or protector

108. Thiago

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Supplanter

109. Xavier

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: New house

What Mumsnetters say about popular Spanish baby boy names

“My fave Spanish boys name is Xavier, but your choice of cool international Mateo comes close.” - Mumsnet user, IamnotwhouthinkIam

Unique Spanish girl names

110. Agustina

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Great

111. Amaia

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: High place or end

112. Amalia

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Work

113. Ana-Paula

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Grace, favour, humble, little

114. Antonella

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Firstborn

115. Constanza

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Constant or steadfast

116. Danna

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: God is my judge

117. Delfina

  • Origin: Spanish, Greek, Italian

  • Meaning: Dolphin 

118. Fernanda

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese 

  • Meaning: Peace through bravery, bold protector

119. Florencia

  • Origin: Latin, Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Flower, blossom

120. Guadalupe

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Valluy or river of the wolf

121. Iraultza

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Revolution

122. Maite

  • Origin: Basque

  • Meaning: Love

123. Pilar

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Pillar

124. Regina

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin

  • Meaning: Queen

125. Renata

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Reborn

126. Romina (nickname Romy)

  • Origin: Spanish, Arabic, Italian

  • Meaning: From the land of the Christians

What Mumsnetters say about unique Spanish girl names

“Romy? Love it! I know a really inspirational one. Short for Romina..” - Mumsnet user, Allthebubbles

Unique Spanish boy names

127. Agustin

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Magnificent

128. Bautista

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Baptist

129. Bastian (or Bastien)

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, French (derived from Sebastian)

  • Meaning: Sublime

130. Dante

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Steadfast or enduring

131. Gaspar

  • Origin: Spanish, Hungarian

  • Meaning: Treasurer

132. Gonzalo

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Battle

133. Izan

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Steadfast

134. Jeronimo

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Sacred name

135. Joaquin

  • Origin: Spanish, Hebrew

  • Meaning: Established by God

136. Maximiliano

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin, Italian

  • Meaning: Greatest

137. Santino

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Little saint

138. Santos

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Saints

139. Vicente

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: To conquer

What Mumsnetters say about unique Spanish boy names

“I like Dante.” - Mumsnet user, JamSandle

Gender-neutral Spanish names

140. Angel

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Messenger

141. Azul

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Blue

142. Baez

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Son of Pelayo

143. Dali

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Drawn before God

144. Elian

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Light

145. Francisco

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese

  • Meaning: Free man

146. Guillermo

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Strong-willed warrior or with gilded helmet

147. Jaime

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese 

  • Meaning: Supplanter

148. Madrid

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Water stream

149. Pau

  • Origin: Spanish, Catalan

  • Meaning: Peace

140. Paz

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Peace

What Mumsnetters say about unisex Spanish names

“I love Angel as a man's name, as it's used in Spanish speaking countries. Would be an uphill battle not to pronounce it as the English word angel though.” - Mumsnet user, toastofthetown

How to choose a Spanish baby name

  • Check out the names of notable Spanish people, past and present for baby name inspo. These include: artists Pablo Picasso and Diego Velázquez, racing driver Fernando Alonso, footballers Fernando Torres and Andrés Iniesta, tennis player Rafael Nadal and actor Javier Bardem.

  • You might also be inspired by famous South Americans with Spanish names including: footballers Diego Maradona and Luis Suárez and actresses Ana de Armas and Sofía Vergara.

  • Read Mumsnet’s helpful Baby Names articles to find out more about the fine art of naming babies. 

What is a cool Spanish name?

A cool Spanish baby name not only honours Spanish culture, but it also hits baby name trends, such as the short name trend. For a girl, the Spanish names Ana, Ona and Mar all fit the bill, while for a boy, how about Enzo, Nil or Iker? Paz is a great unisex choice, meaning peace.

What are rare Spanish names?

Rare Spanish names don’t appear on Spain’s top 100 and are also uncommon over in the UK. Underused names with Spanish origin include Danna and Florencia for girls and Gaspar and Izan for boys. Azul is a lovely, rare unisex choice. It’s the Spanish word for ‘blue’ which conjures images of Spain’s beautiful blue skies and seas.

About the author

Louise Baty writes parenting content for Mumsnet, producing product round-ups, travel guides and baby name articles. She’s also written content for Mumsnet’s sister site, Gransnet. 

Originally from West Yorkshire and now based in Nottinghamshire, Louise has worked as a features writer for consumer magazines and national newspapers for 20 years. She specialises in parenting and lifestyle features and emotional true life first-person interviews and has authored four non-fiction books on parenting and grandparenting.

Mum to two tweenagers, Louise’s own baby name choosing days may be long gone. However, she admits to having spent a LONG time deciding on her DCs’ names, together with her DP. 

For this reason, Louise has a particular interest in baby names. She understands how difficult it can be to narrow down a short list from your long list of baby names, either during pregnancy or during the sleep-deprived days following the birth of your baby. By compiling comprehensive and easy-to-follow baby name round-ups for Mumsnet, she hopes to provide inspiration and support to parents-to-be who are looking for the perfect name for their baby.