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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Bilingual Spanish/English boy name

101 replies

Laruca · 14/04/2023 07:48

Hi! I am expecting my third baby. Both my husband and me are Spanish but we live in the UK. We are struggling with names for the baby. Ideally, we would like a name that is written the same in both English and Spanish and with similar pronunciations in both languages. We have these names in the list: Alex, Lucas and Oliver. What do you think about these names? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

OP posts:
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Twizbe · 14/04/2023 08:41

Not keen on Oliver but the others are nice.

I know lots of Spanish / English Sebastians and a Paul.

Hoppinggreen · 14/04/2023 08:43

How about Oscar?

TheVanguardSix · 14/04/2023 08:44

I like Lucas, OP.

Other suggestions: Luis, Hugo, Nicolas (Nico), Mateo.

piscis · 14/04/2023 08:46

Daniel (Danny/Dani)

ChocChipHandbag · 14/04/2023 08:50

There are names which are easy for British people to pronounce even though they are Spanish. I was at school with a boy called Pablo, who had a Spanish Mum. It was kind of cool that he sounded completely British yet had an "exotic" name.

Fernando is another one that is easy for British people.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 14/04/2023 08:54

The Spanish / British family I know have a Luis, a Mateo, and a Felipe.

FayCarew · 14/04/2023 10:52

From your list, Oliver

user1492757084 · 14/04/2023 10:56

Alex and Luke from your list

Also Edouard, Carlos and Felipe

maddy68 · 14/04/2023 11:08

Marc
Luis
Nico
I really like Oliver

FayCarew · 14/04/2023 12:19

Biblical names often work in different languages, but the pronunciation might vary.
Names like Pedro and Pablo look easy, but in the UK will be said as Ped-row and Pab-low, if that bothers you. A name like Jaime or Jorge will probably be missaid and misspelt.
I'd use whichever name you like but maybe try it out on a few people who don't speak Spanish to see how they say it.
I like Miguel.

TheVanguardSix · 14/04/2023 12:30

Felipe is lovely!

Felix is another suggestion.
Gabriel as well.

ChocChipHandbag · 14/04/2023 13:10

user1492757084 · 14/04/2023 10:56

Alex and Luke from your list

Also Edouard, Carlos and Felipe

Edouard is French, not Spanish.

LivingTheDreamNow · 14/04/2023 13:14

Ryan, Hector, Joel, Robbie

FayCarew · 14/04/2023 13:16

Victor, Andreas, Rafael, Cesar, Leon, Manu

UncleHerbie · 14/04/2023 13:26

Alejandro
Aitor
Javier
Matias
Mateo
Santiago

tryingsomethingnew · 14/04/2023 13:40

Rafael
Leonardo
Luca
Paul/ Paulo

Original poster
Laruca · 15/04/2023 08:04

Some good suggestions! Thanks!

OP posts:
ThomasinaLivesHere · 15/04/2023 13:29

I think Daniel and Rafael are good names where someone needs no knowledge of Spanish to pronounce them and they’re similar pronunciation. I’d avoid names with J if you want similar pronunciation in both languages.

shoopshoopdedoo · 15/04/2023 16:35

I like all of your ideas, especially Alex. Also love the suggestion of Rafael.

adriftabroad · 15/04/2023 16:56

I live in Spain but am British, so same situation...

Not too common/popular, but names I was considering for a boy, were:

Hugo
Edu (ardo)
husband liked Carlos
Alex (Alejandro)
Do not like Luis or Vincente or Josep/Jesus... every second boy is called these.

adriftabroad · 15/04/2023 16:58

Hundreds of Javis/Xavis and Santis. No!

Somanycats · 15/04/2023 16:59

Hector Angel Bruno

Fuerza · 15/04/2023 16:59

Victor

gogohmm · 15/04/2023 17:01

I really wouldn't worry too much as unlike some languages many people are familiar with Spanish names eg due to football. I would avoid name's beginning with J though as it will get misspelled or mispronounced (I have a friend called Jose)

FayCarew · 15/04/2023 19:42

@gogohmm , they are used to hearing them pronounced by brits, which won't necessarily be the same as the Spanish pronunciation.