Boy name · Gothic
Alfonso
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: noble and readyAlfonso is a boy's name that comes from Gothic and means "noble and ready". It is used in Italian and Spanish.
- Meaning
- Noble and ready
- Origin
- Gothic
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- ahl-FOHN-soh (Italian)
Meaning and origin of Alfonso
As a boy's name, Alfonso comes from Gothic and means "noble and ready". It is used in Italian and Spanish.
In Italian, say ahl-FOHN-soh. In Spanish, say ahl-FON-soh. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Alfonso is also a surname: the 2,948th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 11,947 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Alfonso on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Alfonso on 3 lists.
“Noble and ready; Gothic. Say ahl-FOHN-soh”
From Italian boy names, vintage Italian boy names
“Noble and ready; Germanic. Borne by many kings of León and Castile”
From Medieval names and surnames, medieval Italian, Spanish and Portuguese names
“Noble and ready; Germanic. Spanish kings up to Alfonso XIII bore it. Say ahl-FON-soh”
From Spanish boy names, royal and historic Spanish boy names
How popular is Alfonso?
- US rank in 2025
- #1,012
- 223 babies, 131 per million boys
- Best rank
- #294 in 1929
- Most babies: 574 in 1991
- Babies since 1881
- At least 41,464
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 39 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 95 per million |
| 1900s | 249 per million |
| 1910s | 247 per million |
| 1920s | 299 per million |
| 1930s | 283 per million |
| 1940s | 201 per million |
| 1950s | 189 per million |
| 1960s | 196 per million |
| 1970s | 249 per million |
| 1980s | 246 per million |
| 1990s | 267 per million |
| 2000s | 226 per million |
| 2010s | 143 per million |
| 2020s | 137 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #927 | #811 | #915 | #942 | #1,007 | #871 | #920 | #977 | #922 | #1,012 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Nicknames for Alfonso
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Ponchotraditional short form (Spanish)
Other forms of Alfonso
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- AlphonseNoble and ready (Gothic, boy)
Names spelled like Alfonso
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- AfonsoNoble and ready (Germanic, boy)
- AlonsoNoble and ready (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- AliceNobility, of noble kind (Germanic, girl)
- AdaNoble (Germanic, girl)
- AdelaNoble (Germanic, girl)
- AdeleNoble one (Germanic, girl)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AdelaideNoble kind (Germanic, girl)
- AdelinaNoble one (Germanic, girl)
- AdelineNoble one (Germanic, girl)
- AlidaNoble (Germanic, girl)
Middle names for Alfonso
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Gothic
- EuricEternal ruler (Gothic, boy)
- TheodoricRuler of the people (Gothic, boy)
- AmalricBrave ruler (Gothic, boy)
- AmauryVigorous ruler (Gothic, boy)
- AthanaricYear ruler (Gothic, boy)
- AthaulfNoble wolf (Gothic, boy)
- TheodemirFamous among the people (Gothic, boy)
- WulfilaLittle wolf (Gothic, boy)
Alfonso: common questions
What does the name Alfonso mean?
Alfonso comes from Gothic and means "noble and ready".
Is Alfonso a boy or girl name?
Alfonso is mainly a boy's name.
What are nicknames for Alfonso?
Common nicknames for Alfonso include Poncho.
How do you pronounce Alfonso?
In Italian, say ahl-FOHN-soh. In Spanish, say ahl-FON-soh. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Alfonso?
Alfonso ranked #1,012 in the US in 2025, with 223 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Alfonso?
Forms of Alfonso with the same meaning and origin include Alphonse (French).
What middle names go with Alfonso?
Middle names that flow well with Alfonso include Basil, Drake, Ethan, Ford and Grant. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.