Spanish boy names: 140+ male Spanish names with meanings and origins
153 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest
Popular Spanish boy names include Mateo (gift of God), Hugo (heart, mind) and Martín (dedicated to Mars), the three most common names for baby boys born in Spain in 2024, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE). Among grown men, Antonio, Manuel and José are the most common names (INE), and compound names like José Luis are familiar too.
This list has 140+ real Spanish boy names with meanings, origins and easy pronunciations: current favorites, timeless classics, compound names for Spanish men, royal and historic names, names of famous Spaniards, Basque, Catalan and Galician names, Bible names, vintage revivals and Latino names from across the Americas. Popular names with debated origins, such as Álvaro and Enzo, are left off the list but covered in the FAQ.
Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks
Jesús María
Honors Jesus and Mary together; a devout Spanish classic
Bautista
Baptist; Greek. For John the Baptist. Say bow-TEES-tah
José Javier
He will add, new house; Hebrew and Basque
Pau
Small, humble; Latin. Also the Catalan word for peace; basketball's Gasol
Simón
He has heard; Hebrew. Apostle Peter's first name; liberator Bolívar's too
Santino
Little saint; Italian. Italian roots, much loved in Argentina. Say sahn-TEE-noh
Say it right: Spanish name pronunciation check
Type any Spanish boy name to see its syllables and stress, how it sounds in Latin America and in Spain, whether the accent mark matters, and what English speakers are likely to misread.
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Find a Spanish boy name on this page
Narrow 153 names by how common they were for US boys in 2025, by section, length or first letter, or search the meanings.
Popular Spanish boy names in Spain (INE 2024)
The most registered names for baby boys born in Spain in 2024, from the INE, followed by other modern favorites.
- Darío US #760: Possessing goodness; Persian. Spanish form of Darius. Say DAH-ree-oh
Classic male Spanish names
Timeless Spanish names for boys that have filled classrooms for generations.
- Alberto US #819: Noble and bright; Germanic. Say ahl-BER-toh
- Ramón US #852: Counsel protector; Germanic. Say rah-MOHN
- Enrique US #571: Home ruler; Germanic. Spanish form of Henry. Say en-REE-keh
- Raúl US #634: Wolf counsel; Germanic. Say rah-OOL
- Antonio US #176: From the Roman family name Antonius, of Etruscan origin. The most common name of men in Spain (INE). Say ahn-TOH-nyoh
Compound Spanish men's names
Two names used together as one first name, a long tradition for Spanish men. José Antonio and José Luis are among the most common names of men in Spain.
- José Antonio 14 in 2025: He will add, with the Roman family name Antonius. A classic Spanish compound
- José Luis 29 in 2025: He will add, famous in battle; Hebrew and Germanic. A classic Spanish compound
- José Ramón Under 5 in 2025: He will add, counsel protector; Hebrew and Germanic
- Juan Ramón Under 5 in 2025: God is gracious, counsel protector; poet Jiménez won the 1956 Nobel
- Francisco José Under 5 in 2025: Frenchman, he will add; Latin and Hebrew
- José Carlos Under 5 in 2025: He will add, free man; Hebrew and Germanic
- Juan Francisco Under 5 in 2025: God is gracious, Frenchman; Hebrew and Latin
- Pedro José Under 5 in 2025: Rock, he will add; Greek and Hebrew
- Jesús María Under 5 in 2025: Honors Jesus and Mary together; a devout Spanish classic
- José Pablo 5 in 2025: He will add, small and humble; Hebrew and Latin
- José Javier Under 5 in 2025: He will add, new house; Hebrew and Basque
- José Alberto Under 5 in 2025: He will add, noble and bright; Hebrew and Germanic
- José Enrique Under 5 in 2025: He will add, home ruler; Hebrew and Germanic
- José Fernando Under 5 in 2025: He will add, brave journey; Hebrew and Germanic
- Pedro Luis Under 5 in 2025: Rock, famous warrior; Greek and Germanic
- José Andrés Under 5 in 2025: He will add, manly and brave; a famous Spanish-American chef's name
- José Vicente Under 5 in 2025: He will add, conquering; Hebrew and Latin
Royal and historic Spanish boy names
Names of Spanish kings, knights and literary heroes.
- Alfonso 223 in 2025: Noble and ready; Germanic. Spanish kings up to Alfonso XIII bore it. Say ahl-FON-soh
- Felipe US #955: Lover of horses; Greek. Name of Spain's current king. Say feh-LEE-peh
- Sancho Under 5 in 2025: Holy; Latin. Medieval kings and Don Quixote's loyal squire
- Ramiro 201 in 2025: Famous; Visigothic. Kings of León and Aragon bore it. Say rah-MEE-roh
- Alonso US #785: Noble and ready; Germanic. Don Quixote's real first name. Say ah-LON-soh
- Cristóbal 105 in 2025: Bearer of Christ; Greek. Columbus's name in Spanish. Say krees-TOH-bahl
- Juan Carlos 48 in 2025: God is gracious, free man; Hebrew and Germanic. Spain's king from 1975 to 2014
- Fadrique Under 5 in 2025: Peaceful ruler; Germanic. Medieval Spanish form of Federico. Say fah-DREE-keh
- Lope Under 5 in 2025: Wolf; Latin. Golden Age playwright de Vega bore it. Say LOH-peh
Names of famous Spaniards
Names made famous by Spanish painters, writers, scientists and athletes.
- Federico 73 in 2025: Peaceful ruler; Germanic. Poet García Lorca. Say feh-deh-REE-koh
- Severo 6 in 2025: Stern, serious; Latin. Nobel-winning scientist Ochoa. Say seh-BEH-roh
- Camilo US #585: Roman family name, probably Etruscan. Nobel-winning novelist Cela. Say kah-MEE-loh
- Tirso 5 in 2025: After Saint Thyrsus; Greek. Pen name of the playwright who created Don Juan. Say TEER-soh
- Jacinto 44 in 2025: Hyacinth; Greek. Nobel-winning playwright Benavente. Say hah-SEEN-toh
Basque boy names
Short, strong names from Euskara. Oihan was the most common name for baby boys born in the Basque Country from 2022 to 2024 (Eustat).
- Oihan Under 5 in 2025: Forest; Basque. The Basque Country's top boy name for 2022 to 2024 combined (Eustat). Say OY-ahn
- Unai 6 in 2025: Cowherd; Basque. Say oo-NYE
- Asier 18 in 2025: The beginning; Basque. Say ah-SYER
- Jon US #951: God is gracious; Hebrew. Basque form of Juan. Say YON
- Mikel 81 in 2025: Who is like God; Hebrew. Basque form of Miguel. Say MEE-kel
- Ander US #728: Manly, brave; Greek. Basque form of Andrés. Say AHN-der
- Xabier Under 5 in 2025: New house; Basque. Basque spelling of Javier. Say shah-BYER
- Gorka Under 5 in 2025: Farmer, earth worker; Greek. Basque form of Jorge. Say GOR-kah
- Ibai Under 5 in 2025: River; Basque. Say ee-BYE
- Hodei Under 5 in 2025: Cloud; Basque. Say oh-DAY
- Gaizka Under 5 in 2025: Savior; Basque. The Basque match for Salvador. Say GUYS-kah
- Ekaitz Under 5 in 2025: Storm; Basque. Say eh-KITES
- Argi Under 5 in 2025: Light; Basque. Say AR-ghee
- Beñat Under 5 in 2025: Brave bear; Germanic. Basque form of Bernardo. Say beh-NYAHT
- Markel 39 in 2025: Basque form of Marcellus, little Marcus. Say MAR-kel
- Julen 6 in 2025: Basque form of Julian, from the Roman Iulianus. Say YOO-len
Catalan and Galician boy names
Names from Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Galicia. Martí was the top name for baby boys in Catalonia in 2024 (INE).
- Martí 5 in 2025: Dedicated to Mars; Latin. Top boy name in Catalonia in 2024, for the first time (INE). Say mar-TEE
- Pau 14 in 2025: Small, humble; Latin. Also the Catalan word for peace; basketball's Gasol
- Pol 9 in 2025: Small, humble; Latin. Catalan form of Pablo. Say POHL
- Jordi 63 in 2025: Farmer, earth worker; Greek. For Saint George, patron of Catalonia. Say ZHOR-dee
- Arnau Under 5 in 2025: Eagle power; Germanic. Catalan form of Arnold. Say ar-NOW
- Biel 17 in 2025: God is my strength; Hebrew. Catalan short form of Gabriel. Say bee-EL
- Oriol Under 5 in 2025: Golden; Latin. From a Catalan surname. Say oo-ree-OL
- Jan 47 in 2025: God is gracious; Hebrew. A short Catalan form of John. Say ZHAHN
- Pere Under 5 in 2025: Rock, stone; Greek. Catalan form of Pedro. Say PEH-ruh
- Josep Under 5 in 2025: He will add; Hebrew. Catalan form of José. Say zhoo-ZEP
- Xoán 7 in 2025: God is gracious; Hebrew. Galician form of Juan. Say shoh-AHN
- Xurxo Under 5 in 2025: Farmer, earth worker; Greek. Galician form of Jorge. Say SHOOR-shoh
- Martiño 14 in 2025: Dedicated to Mars; Latin. Galician form of Martín. Say mar-TEE-nyoh
- Roi 34 in 2025: Famous ruler; Germanic. Galician short form of Rodrigo. Say ROY
- Uxío Under 5 in 2025: Well born; Greek. Galician form of Eugenio. Say oo-SHEE-oh
- Anxo Under 5 in 2025: Messenger, angel; Greek. Galician form of Ángel. Say AHN-shoh
- Breixo Under 5 in 2025: Most true; Latin. Galician form of Veríssimo. Say BRAY-shoh
- Marc 162 in 2025: Catalan form of Marcus. Catalonia's top boy name for about 25 years. Say MARK
- Nil Under 5 in 2025: Catalan form of Neilos, and the Nile River. In Catalonia's 2024 top 5. Say NEEL
Spanish boy names from the Bible
Biblical names in their Spanish spelling, with the person each one recalls.
- Noé US #755: Rest, comfort; Hebrew. Builder of the ark. Say noh-EH
- Bartolomé Under 5 in 2025: Son of Talmai; Aramaic. One of the twelve apostles. Say bar-toh-loh-MEH
- Tomás US #691: Twin; Aramaic. The apostle who doubted. Say toh-MAHS
- Jonás US #599: Dove; Hebrew. The prophet swallowed by a great fish. Say hoh-NAHS
Old-fashioned Spanish boy names
Grandfather names from Spain that feel charming again.
- Fermín 28 in 2025: Firm, steady; Latin. The saint honored by Pamplona's July festival. Say fer-MEEN
- Isidro 88 in 2025: Gift of Isis; Greek. Madrid's patron saint. Say ee-SEE-droh
- Nicanor Under 5 in 2025: Victorious man; Greek. Say nee-kah-NOR
- Eusebio 18 in 2025: Pious; Greek. Say eh-oo-SEH-byoh
- Amadeo 84 in 2025: Loves God; Latin. Briefly the name of a king of Spain. Say ah-mah-DEH-oh
- Ambrosio Under 5 in 2025: Immortal; Greek. Say ahm-BROH-syoh
- Gregorio 59 in 2025: Watchful; Greek. Goyo for short. Say greh-GOH-ryoh
- Celestino 28 in 2025: Heavenly; Latin. Say seh-les-TEE-noh
- Agustín US #952: Venerable, great; Latin. Say ah-goos-TEEN
- Urbano Under 5 in 2025: City dweller, refined; Latin. Borne by eight popes. Say oor-BAH-noh
- Zacarías 43 in 2025: God remembers; Hebrew. Father of John the Baptist. Say sah-kah-REE-ahs
- Ceferino Under 5 in 2025: West wind; Greek, from Zephyrus. Say seh-feh-REE-noh
- Cipriano 13 in 2025: From Cyprus; Greek. Say see-PRYAH-noh
- Ildefonso Under 5 in 2025: Battle ready; Germanic. A saintly archbishop of Toledo. Say eel-deh-FON-soh
- Silvestre 20 in 2025: Of the forest; Latin. Say seel-BES-treh
Hispanic and Latino boy names across the Americas
Latino boy names loved from Argentina to Peru, including Mapuche and Quechua names.
- Facundo 14 in 2025: Eloquent; Latin. An Argentine classic. Say fah-KOON-doh
- Augusto 48 in 2025: Venerable, majestic; Latin. Say ow-GOOS-toh
- Máximo US #580: Greatest; Latin. Say MAHK-see-moh
- Lisandro 130 in 2025: A release of a man; Greek. Spanish form of Lysander. Say lee-SAHN-droh
- Bastián 219 in 2025: From Sebaste, a town whose Greek name meant venerable. Short for Sebastián. Say bahs-TYAHN
- Nahuel 5 in 2025: Jaguar; Mapudungun. A Mapuche name from Patagonia. Say nah-WELL
- Lautaro 9 in 2025: Swift hawk; Mapudungun. A Mapuche leader who fought the Spanish. Say low-TAH-roh
- Amaru 57 in 2025: Snake, serpent; Quechua. Borne by Inca rebel leaders. Say ah-MAH-roo
How to pick the right name
Test it with both surnames
In Spain and Latin America a child usually takes the father's surname and then the mother's. Say the full name aloud, like Mateo Sánchez Ortega, to check the flow.
Know the nickname that comes with it
Spanish names often arrive with a pet form: Paco for Francisco, Pepe for José, Quique for Enrique, Rafa for Rafael. Pick a name whose nickname you like too.
Consider a compound name
Pairs like Juan Carlos or José Luis let you honor two people at once. Most families use both parts together, so treat them as one name.
Let the region guide you
Basque names like Oihan, Catalan names like Martí and Galician names like Xoán signal family roots. Their spellings follow those languages, so check the pronunciation first.
Save this list for later
Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.
Spanish boy names in Spain: the 2024 favorites and their US use, each region's top name, the law and the name days
By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names
Mateo was Spain's top name for baby boys in 2024, and it travels well: it was No. 8 in the US in 2025. Spain's No. 2, Hugo, is a different story, at No. 378 for US boys. Among grown men in Spain, Antonio is still the most common name, with 590,938 bearers.
Regions have their own favorites: Martí leads Catalonia and Oihan the Basque Country. The checker above shows how any Spanish boy's name is said in Latin America and in Spain, and the finder narrows the names on this page by section, length or US popularity.
Spain's top boys' names and their US use
- Grandfathers' names. Antonio is the most common name of men living in Spain (590,938, average age 58.7), and the men named Manuel and José average 56.5 and 63.2 years old (La Región, citing INE, April 2026).
| Name | Spain, 2024 | US, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Mateo | 3,289 babies | #8 |
| Hugo | 2,734 | #378 |
| Martín | 2,693 | #335 (as Martin) |
| Leo | 2,550 | #19 |
| Manuel | 2,411 | #371 |
| Lucas | 2,228 | #10 |
| Pablo | 2,158 | #430 |
| Alejandro | 2,136 | #195 |
| Enzo | 2,028 | #72, its highest ever |
| Álvaro | 1,949 | #777 (as Alvaro) |
Sources: Spain's INE via La Voz de Ibiza, November 21, 2025; US Social Security Administration.
Each region's favorite
- Catalonia: Martí, for the first time. In 2024 Martí (352 babies) edged out Biel (346), Marc (344), Leo (343) and Nil (340); Marc had led for about 25 years (3cat, citing Idescat).
- Basque Country: Oihan. Oihan was the top boys' name for 2022 to 2024 combined (387 babies), ahead of Martin or Martín and Markel (Eustat).
- Galicia: Galician names in the top 20. Mateo led in 2024, and Roi (10th), Antón (11th), Xoel (16th) and Iago (20th) made the top 20 (Xunta de Galicia, citing IGE).
- Andalusia and Murcia. Manuel led Andalusia in 2024 (La Voz de Ibiza), and Pablo led Murcia in 2023, with 145 babies (La 7, citing INE).
Spanish names and the law
- Castilian only, until 1977. Spanish law once required given names to be recorded in Castilian; a 1977 reform allowed any of Spain's languages (Ley 17/1977), so names like Jordi and Xoán could be registered in their own spelling.
- Some Basque names are new. Iker (Visitation) and Gaizka (Savior) were put forward by the Basque nationalist Sabino Arana in 1910 as Basque equivalents of Spanish saints' names (Behind the Name).
- A name no longer has to match the sex. Since a 2023 reform, Spain's Civil Registry Law gives no weight to whether a name matches the child's sex when judging if it is confusing (Ley 20/2011, article 51).
Boys' name days in Spain
| Name | Saint | Date |
|---|---|---|
| José | Saint Joseph, also Father's Day in Spain | March 19 |
| Jordi | Saint George, Catalonia's patron, celebrated with books and roses | April 23 |
| Isidro | Saint Isidore the Laborer, Madrid's patron | May 15 |
| Fermín | Saint Fermin, honored by Pamplona's July festival | July 7 |
| Santiago | Saint James, patron of Spain | July 25 |
| Javier | Saint Francis Xavier, co-patron of Navarre | December 3 |
Sources: Wikipedia: Saint Joseph's Day, Saint George's Day in Catalonia, Isidore the Laborer, Festival of San Fermín, James the Great, Francis Xavier.
Sources
- La Voz de Ibiza: Spain's top baby names of 2024, from INE (November 21, 2025)
- La Región: most common names in Spain, from INE (April 24, 2026)
- US Social Security Administration: baby names
- 3cat: Catalonia's top names of 2024, from Idescat (July 18, 2025)
- Eustat: most popular names in the Basque Country, 2022–2024
- Xunta de Galicia: Galicia's top names of 2024, from IGE
- La 7: Murcia's top names of 2023, from INE
- BOE: Ley 17/1977 on recording names
- BOE: Ley 20/2011 del Registro Civil, article 51
- Behind the Name: Iker
- Behind the Name: Gaizka
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy name in Spain?
Mateo was the most common name for baby boys born in Spain in 2024, with 3,289 registrations, ahead of Hugo (2,734) and Martín (2,693), according to the INE. The rest of the top 10 were Leo, Manuel, Lucas, Pablo, Alejandro, Enzo and Álvaro.
What are traditional Spanish men's names?
Antonio, Manuel and José are the three most common names of men living in Spain, according to the INE. Juan, Francisco, Javier, Carlos, Miguel, Pedro and Luis are other great classics, and José Antonio and José Luis have long been among the most common compound names.
Why are Álvaro and Enzo not on this list?
Both are in Spain's 2024 top 10, but their origins are debated. Álvaro may come from a Germanic name, and Enzo's roots are unclear, so we list only names whose origin is well documented.
What are popular Basque and Catalan boy names?
Oihan (forest) was the top name for baby boys born in the Basque Country from 2022 to 2024, according to the Basque statistics office Eustat, and Martí topped Catalonia in 2024 for the first time. Markel, Julen, Unai, Iker, Marc, Nil, Pol and Pau are other favorites.
Why do some Spanish men have two first names?
Compound names like Juan Carlos, José Luis or José María honor two saints or relatives at once. They work as a single first name, separate from the two surnames.
What is the most common name for men in Spain?
Antonio. INE figures published in 2026 count 590,938 men named Antonio in Spain, with an average age of 58.7, ahead of Manuel and José. For baby boys born in 2024, Mateo was No. 1.
Why do Basque names look so different?
They come from Basque, a language unrelated to Spanish with its own spelling, so Xabier and Gorka sit beside Javier and Jorge. Some, like Iker and Gaizka, were coined in 1910, and names in Spain's other languages could only be registered from 1977.
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