Spanish names for boys: 150 unique, cute baby names with meanings

We've included the most popular Spanish boy names, as well as some great traditional names, some short names, some strong names, some nature-inspired names and some unusual and unique options, too.

Here's our list of Spanish boy names to inspire you...

Most popular Spanish boy names

Spanish boy names – unlike Spanish girl names – don't feature among the top 100 most popular baby names in the UK: the latest lists drawn up by the Office for National Statistics for names registered in England and Wales, as well as the lists from the National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency do contain names you might hear in Spain but they're spelt differently – Louis, instead of the Spanish Luis, for example. So, instead, we've selected 20 of the most popular Spanish boy names worldwide...

1. Alejandro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: defender, warrior

2. Ángel

Origin: Hispanic
Meaning: angel

3. Antonio

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: priceless

4. Carlos

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: free man, Spanish version of Charles

5. Diego

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: supplanter

6. Emiliano

Origin: Spanish, derived from Latin
Meaning: eager, striving, working to excel

7. Emilio

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: rival

8. Felipe

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: friend of horses, Spanish version of Phillip

9. Joaquin

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God will judge

10. Jorge

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: farmer, Spanish version of George
Also: Jorges

11. José

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God will give, Spanish version of Joseph

12. Juan

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God is gracious, Spanish version of John

13. Lorenzo

Origin: Spanish/Latin
Meaning: laurel, from Laurentium (a Roman city)

14. Luis

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: famous warrior

15. Mateo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: divine gift
Also: Teo

16. Miguel

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: who is like God, Spanish version of Michael

17. Pedro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: rock, Spanish version of Peter

18. Rodrigo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: famous ruler

19. Salvador

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: saviour

20. Santiago

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: St James (the patron saint of Spain)

Strong Spanish boy names

These Spanish baby boy names are all bold choices steeped in vigour and authority. Some, like Alonzo and Martez, have meanings connected to strength or prowess in battle, while others are linked to robust virtues like courage. We’ve also included some Hispanic surnames, like Perez and Cortez, which are increasingly being used in many countries as a first name and project, we feel, a brave, modern strength.

21. Alejo

Origin: Spanish/Old Greek
Meaning: defender of men

22. Alonzo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: noble, ready for battle
Also: Alonso

23. Álvaro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: guardian

24. Amidio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: demigod

25. Ander

Origin: Basque
Meaning: warrior, manly, Basque version of Andrew

26. Andrés

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: warrior
Also: Andras, Andrez

27. Armando

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: soldier

28. Arrio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: warlike

29. Arsenio

Origin: Spanish/Greek
Meaning: virile, strong

30. Belisario

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: swordsman

31. Braulio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: shining, fiery

32. Bronco

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: rough, unbroken horse

33. Carlito

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: manly

34. Cortez

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: courteous (common Hispanic surname)

35. Enrique

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: home ruler, Spanish version of Henry

36. Gonzalo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: fight, battle

37. Guillermo

Origin: Spanish/Mexican
Meaning: resolute protector or gilded helmet
Also: Guille, Memo, Gillermo

38. Gutierre

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: he who rules
Also: Gutierrez

39. Hernando

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: be courageous, adventurer

40. Iago

Origin: Galician
Meaning: supplanter, Spanish version of Jacob

41. Isandro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: liberator, alternative to Alejandro

42. Isidro

Origin: Spanish, derived from Greek
Meaning: gift of Isis

43. Leandro

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: lion man

44. Marc

Origin: Catalan/French/Romanian
Meaning: warlike

45. Marcello

Origin: Spanish/Latin
Meaning: young warrior

46. Martez

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: god of war
Also: Martes

47. Maximiliano

Origin: Spanish, derived from Latin
Meaning: greatest

48. Maximo

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: greatest

49. Perez

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: son of Pete (a common Hispanic surname)

50. Rogelio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: renowned spearman

51. Ulises

Origin: Spanish, derived from Greek
Meaning: to hate, Spanish version of Ulysses

52. Vicente

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: victorious, Spanish version of Vincent

Unusual Spanish boy names

These Spanish names for boys really stand out, with their unusual spellings – to UK eyes at least – and interesting meanings. Some of these boy names, including Airam, Nauzet and Yeray, originate from the Canary Islands, while Quixote is inspired by classic literature. We think they are all great choices if you're looking for a Hispanic name with a unique edge.

53. Airam

Origin: Canarian
Meaning: freedom

54. Berilo

Origin: Spanish/Greek
Meaning: pale green gemstone

55. Casimiro

Origin: Spanish variant of the Polish name Kazimierz
Meaning: bringer of peace

56. Efrain

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: fruitful, Spanish version of the Hebrew name Ephraim

57. Jonay

Origin: Canarian/Guanche
Meaning: prince of fire

58. Nauzet

Origin: Canarian/Guanche
Meaning: most elegant, one who thinks and imagines
Also: Nuhazet

59. Quito

Origin: Spanish/Ecuadorian
Meaning: fifth, a city in Ecuador

60. Quixote

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: idealist, from the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote about a chivalrous but sometimes unrealistic knight

61. Yeray

Origin: Canarian
Meaning: big, grand
Also: Yerai

Traditional Spanish boy names

If you're look for a Spanish baby boy name with a classic touch and real cultural heft, check out these traditional boy names that have been used in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries for multiple decades – if not centuries. Many of them will feel familiar to an Anglophone ear as we have our own versions of them: Arturo is the Spanish version of Arthur, for example, and Pablo is the Spanish equivalent of Paul. Here's our pick of Spanish boy names with years of heritage behind them...

62. Alfredo

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: wise counsellor, supernatural counsellor

63. Arturo

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: bear, Spanish version of Arthur

64. Eduardo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: wealthy guard

65. Ernesto

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: earnest, sincere
Also: Earnesto, Erneste

66. Fernando

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: daring, adventurous, bold

67. Fidel

Origin: Spanish/Latin
Meaning: faithful

68. Francisco

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Meaning: free man or Frenchman

69. Gerardo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: strong with the spear

70. Jaime

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: the supplanter, a form of James

71. Javier

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: new house
Also: Xavier

72. Julio

Origin: Spanish/Mexican
Meaning: youthful

73. Manuel

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God is with us, derived from Emmanuel
Also: Manu

74. Pablo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: small, Spanish version of Paul

75. Patricio

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Meaning: noble, Spanish version of Patrick

76. Placido

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: calm

77. Rafael

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Meaning: God has healed
Also: Raphael

78. Ramon

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: counsel, protection, Spanish version of Raymond

79. Raúl

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: wolf counsel, Spanish version of Ralph
Also: Raoul

80. Ricardo

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Meaning: powerful leader, Spanish version of Richard

81. Roberto

Origin: Spanish/Italian/Portuguese
Meaning: bright, shining, version of Robert

82. Sergio

Origin: Spanish/Italian
Meaning: servant, guardian, protector

Nature-inspired Spanish boy names

Trees, seas, mountains, rivers and animals have provided inspiration for some wonderful baby names down the years – and Spanish baby boy names are no exception. There are some great Spanish boy names that connect with the natural world, from the Mediterranean fig tree, symbol of wisdom and prosperity, to the wolves and crows of the Spanish countryside.

83. Alamo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: poplar tree

84. Delmar

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: of the sea

85. Figueroa

Origin: Galician
Meaning: fig tree

86. Helio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: sun

87. Montez

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Meaning: of the mountain
Also: Montes, Monteze, Montiz

88. Rio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: river

89. Rodolfo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: famous wolf, Spanish version of Rudolph

90. Silvio

Origin: Spanish/Italian/Portuguese
Meaning: forest, wood

91. Vasco

Origin: Basque
Meaning: crow, raven

What are the most popular baby boy names in Spain?

Here are the 20 most popular baby boy names in Spain, according the official list from the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica. As you'll see, a fair few are Spanish in origin but there is also a strong showing of names with origins in other languages and cultures, including Hugo (German), Daniel and David (Hebrew) and Thiago (Portuguese).

Martin. Origin: Latin; Meaning: god of War
Hugo. Origin: German; Meaning: mind
Mateo. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: gift of God
Leo. Origin: Latin; Meaning: lion
Lucas. Origin: Latin; Meaning: bringer of light, man from Lucania
Manuel. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: God is with us, derived from Emmanuel
Daniel. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: God is my judge
Alejandro. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: defender, warrior
Pablo. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: small, Spanish version of Paul
Enzo. Origin: German/Italian; Meaning: ruler of the home, a version of Henry
Alvaro. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: guardian or elf warrior
Mario. Origin: Latin; Meaning: dedicated to Mars
Adrian. Origin: Latin; Meaning: son of Adria
Diego. Origin: Spanish; Meaning: supplanter
Thiago. Origin: Portuguese; Meaning: supplanter
Bruno. Origin: German; Meaning: brown
Oliver. Origin: Latin; Meaning: olive tree
David. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: beloved
Alex. Origin: Greek; Meaning: defender of mankind
Marco. Origin: Italian; Meaning: war-like, of Mars

Short Spanish baby names for boys

Sometimes, you need a name that's short and punchy – particularly if your child will have a long, multi-syllabic surname. All of the Spanish baby boy names in this next group are no more than 5 letters long, and have been selected for their strong but simple style. Some of them are diminutive versions of other Spanish names – like Ché, which comes from José; others are short but perfectly formed baby boy names in their own right.

92. Aday

Origin: Canarian
Meaning: the one who lives under the water

93. Anxo

Origin: Galician
Meaning: angel

94. Biel

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: God is my strength, Catalan version of Gabriel

95. Brais

Origin: Galician
Meaning: Galician version of Blaise, which means lisping

96. Ché

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God will increase, diminutive of José

97. Chico

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: boy

98. Chilo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Frenchman

99. Cruz

Origin: Castilian/Spanish
Meaning: cross

100. Diaz

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: days, popular Hispanic surname

101. Eloi

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: the chosen

102. Esai

Origin: Spanish, derived from Hebrew
Meaning: gift, God is salvation

103. Iker

Origin: Basque
Meaning: visitor

104. Jon

Origin: Basque
Meaning: God has given, Basque version of John

105. Oier

Origin: Basque
Meaning: unknown – possibly shepherd

106. Oro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: gold

107. Paco

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: free

108. Pau

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: small, Catalan version of Paul

109. Pol

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: small

110. Rey

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: king

111. Sol

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: sun

112. Tajo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: day
Also: Taio

113. Tuto

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: fair, righteous

114. Unai

Origin: Basque
Meaning: shepherd, cowherd

115. Xosé

Origin: Galician
Meaning: God will increase, Galician version of Joseph

116. Yuli

Origin: Basque
Meaning: youthful

Spanish double names for a boy

Giving your boy (or girl) two first names is a common tradition in Hispanic cultures. To create a compound name, you simply pair two names you like and see how they go together – and how well their two meanings mesh. We’ve selected our favourite Spanish double names for a baby boy below to give you some ideas...

117. Andrés Felipe

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: warrior and friend of horses

118. Diego Alejandro

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: supplanter and defender

119. Francisco Javier

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: free man and new house

120. José Luis

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God will give and famous warrior

121. Juan Esteban

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God is gracious and crown

122. Miguel Ángel

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: who is like God and angel

Basque, Catalan, Guanche and Galician Spanish boy names

The individual regions of Spain each have their own character and heritage, with distinctive cultures and even their own languages and dialects. We've selected our favourite Spanish boy names from the regions of Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Canary Islands (whose indigenous inhabitants were called the Guanche) and Galicia, an autonomous community on the Iberian peninsula.

123. Aitor

Origin: Basque
Meaning: good father

124. Aleix

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: defender, Catalan version of Alexis

125. Ayoze

Origin: Canarian/Guanche
Meaning: he arrives
Also: Ajose, Ajoze, Ayose, Aysse, Ayozé

126. Bartoli

Origin: Spanish/Catalan
Meaning: ploughman

127. Beneharo

Origin: Canarian/Guanche
Meaning: name of a Guanche king on the island of Tenerife

128. Cibrán

Origin: Galician
Meaning: a native of Cyprus

129. Dídac

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: teacher

130. Ignacio

Origin: Galician
Meaning: fire

131. Inigo

Origin: Basque
Meaning: fiery

132. Jordi

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: farmer, Catalan version of George

133. Josep

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: God will increase, Catalan version of Joseph

134. Mikel

Origin: Basque
Meaning: who is like God, Basque version of Michael

135. Navarro

Origin: Basque
Meaning: from Navarre

136. Valencio

Origin: Valencian
Meaning: health, strength

137. Vidal

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: life, vitality

138. Xabier

Origin: Basque
Meaning: new house, Basque version of Xavier

Religious Spanish baby boy names

Spain is a Roman Catholic country, so there are many Spanish boy names – both well known and unusual – that have meanings connected to or steeped in this faith and its roots in Hebrew and Christian scripture. Here is a selection of our favourites...

139. Bembé

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: prophet

140. Benicio

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: blessed

141. Domingo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: of the Lord

142. Jadiel

Origin: Spanish, derived from Hebrew
Meaning: God is my fortune, from the Hebrew name Yehudiel (one of the archangels)

143. Macario

Origin: Spanish, derived from Greek
Meaning: blessed, happy

144. Maceo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: gift of God, variation of Matthew

145. Manolo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God is with us

146. Matias

Origin: Spanish, derived from Hebrew
Meaning: gift of God, variation of Matthew

147. Nilo

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: God is my judge

148. Pasqual

Origin: Catalan
Meaning: born at Easter, Easter child
Also: Pasquale, Pascale, Pascual, Pascoal

149. Sancho

Origin: Spanish
Meaning: saint

150. Timoteo

Origin: Spanish, derived from Greek
Meaning: God’s honour, Spanish version of Timothy

How to choose the right Spanish boy name for your baby
We know what a marathon it can be to trawl through all the baby boy names you like and draw up a longlist of favourites. And then you need to narrow it down!
To help you out, here are some tips to bear in mind when discussing your short (or long!) list with your partner:
Think about the impression it makes. Do you want the name to reflect tradition and honour your family history or be trendy, quirky or unusual?
Practise saying it out loud. See if you can imagine using it on a daily basis. Test it out with your surname and any middle name choices too. Don't forget to check what your child’s initials would be.
Think about nicknames. Would you mind people changing it or shortening it into a nickname or pet name? Or is it important to choose a name which cannot be shortened?
Consider the meaning. Is it important that the meaning has real significance to you and your partner?
Think about how other people will see it. Does it matter to you that it's easy to spell and pronounce? Will your or your child constantly be correcting people?
Check whether your favourite names appear on the most popular lists in the UK. If they do, this means you’re not alone in loving it, but it also means when you call your son's name in the playground, several other children might turn round too.
Don’t rush the decision. It’s fine to wait until you meet your baby to see whether your favourite name actually suits him. You could even test it out for a few hours before announcing it to the world and making it official.

Pic: Getty Images

Helen BrownHead of Content Delivery

Helen is author of the classic advice book Parenting for Dummies and a mum of 3. Before joining MadeForMums, she was Head of Community at Mumsnet and also the Consumer Editor of Mother & Baby.