Spanish Baby Names: Beautiful Choices for Boys & Girls

Spanish is now the second most spoken language in the United States, and that linguistic reality is showing up in baby name data in a big way. Spanish names aren't just popular within the Hispanic community — they've crossed over into mainstream American naming in a significant way. Mateo is a top-10 boys' name. Santiago is top 30. Lola and Ximena are firmly in the top 200.

What makes Spanish names so appealing to such a broad audience? Partly it's the sounds — the rolled Rs, the clean vowels, the musical flow. Partly it's the cultural richness they carry. And partly it's the way they can work in both English and Spanish contexts, making them genuinely versatile for multicultural families.

Spanish Baby Names for Boys

Mateo — #7

The Spanish form of Matthew, from the Hebrew Mattityahu — "gift of God." Mateo is the great crossover success of modern Spanish naming, sitting at #7 nationally. It has everything parents want: biblical roots, international appeal, an easy nickname (Teo), and a sound that's warm without being soft. This is the Spanish name that has truly arrived.

Santiago — #29

The patron saint of Spain, Santiago is the Spanish form of Saint James. The name means "Saint James" — from Santo Iago, the Spanish form of James. It's the name of one of the most important pilgrimage cities in the world (Santiago de Compostela), which gives it a certain romantic gravity. At #29, it's risen from a culturally specific choice to a genuine mainstream contender.

Jose — #91

The Spanish form of Joseph, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." Jose has been in the US top 100 for decades, a reliable anchor of Hispanic naming tradition. It's worth noting that José (with the accent) is the authentic spelling, but US birth records often drop the accent mark.

Emiliano — #113

Derived from the Roman family name Aemilius, Emiliano has a grandeur that the simpler Emilio lacks. It's associated most famously with Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican revolutionary leader — a man of principle and conviction. At #113, it's popular enough to be familiar but distinctive enough to stand out.

Luis — #130

The Spanish form of Louis, ultimately from the Germanic Chlodovech (famous battle). Luis is a name carried by kings, artists (Luis Buñuel), and athletes. Clean, classic, and consistently popular — it's the Spanish equivalent of the dependable English classic "Lewis."

Juan — #137

The Spanish form of John — the most internationally widespread name in history. Juan carries with it the weight of that tradition: saints, explorers, artists, and everyman alike. Simple, strong, and genuinely timeless.

Diego — #145

The Spanish form of James (via the Latin Didacus). Diego is the name of Diego Rivera, one of the 20th century's greatest artists, and Diego Garcia, and countless other figures of note. It has a crisp, confident energy that translates well across languages. Growing fast in US usage.

Alejandro — #184

The Spanish form of Alexander — "defender of the people." Alejandro is longer and more musical than the English form, with that beautiful four-syllable flow. Lady Gaga's song only helped its cross-cultural profile. It offers the nickname Alex (shared with Alexander) but with a distinctly Latin character.

Javier — #247

From the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "new house." Javier is the Spanish form of Xavier — both are pronounced with that distinctive "H" sound at the start. Associated with Saint Francis Xavier and the Spanish filmmaker Javier Bardem, it carries real cultural weight.

Joaquin — #340

The Spanish form of Joachim, from the Hebrew "God will establish." Joaquin (pronounced wah-KEEN) has become one of the more distinctive Spanish names in American consciousness, partly due to Joaquin Phoenix. It's a name with real character — it's not trying to be easy, and that confidence is part of its appeal.

Spanish Baby Names for Girls

Ximena — #173

The feminine form of Ximeno, likely from the Basque eiz-mena (deer). Ximena is one of the most exciting names in current American naming — it's risen dramatically in the past decade and sits solidly in the top 200. The X spelling gives it a distinctive look while the pronunciation (hee-MEH-nah) is straightforward once you know it.

Amaya — #169

A place name from the Basque region, and a name meaning "night rain" in some interpretations. Amaya is one of the most successful Spanish crossovers of the past decade — it sounds modern and fresh while having genuine cultural roots. Three syllables that flow beautifully.

Lola — #273

A diminutive of Dolores, which means "sorrows" in Spanish — but Lola itself carries none of that weight. Lola is one of the great names of exuberant femininity: fun, flirtatious, musical (a Kinks song, a Copacabana showgirl, a musical). It's been steadily rising in the US, beloved for its irrepressible energy.

Cataleya — #236

A Spanish-origin name inspired by a type of orchid (Cattleya). Cataleya gained significant attention after the film Colombiana, where the protagonist wears the flower as a signature. It has the lush, romantic quality that defines the best Spanish girl names.

Julieta — #347

The Spanish form of Juliet — and it's gorgeous. Julieta has a romantic weight that the English spelling can't quite match, with that final -a that makes it feel complete. It's rising in US rankings as Spanish names gain broader acceptance.

Esmeralda — #350

Meaning "emerald" in Spanish. Esmeralda is a name of vivid color and character — think Victor Hugo's Romani heroine in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, or the emerald green of Colombia's famous gems. It's long and dramatic, which isn't for everyone, but for parents who want something genuinely distinctive, it delivers.

Carmen — #416

From the Latin carmen (song, poem) via Hebrew, meaning "garden." Carmen carries the passion of Bizet's opera and the sophistication of Spanish culture. It's a name that sounds equally at home in Madrid and Miami. Classic, never fusty.

More Spanish Names Worth Knowing

The Rise of Spanish Names in America

The growth of Spanish names in mainstream American naming reflects demographic shifts, cultural exchange, and a broader embrace of global naming traditions. For Spanish-speaking families, these names preserve cultural identity. For non-Spanish families, they offer musical sounds, deep meaning, and a connection to one of the world's richest cultures.

The names that cross over most successfully tend to share certain qualities: they're pronounceable in English (even if the authentic pronunciation differs), they have strong meanings, and they offer adaptable nicknames that work in both languages. Mateo can be called Teo. Alejandro can be Alex. This bilingual flexibility is part of what makes Spanish names so successful in diverse American contexts.

Explore more by language on our Spanish names collection, or if you're drawn to the Latin roots many Spanish names share, visit Latin names. For names trending right now, check our rising names page — Spanish names are well represented there. And compare your favorites with our name comparison tool.