Names That Mean Basque

  1. Mari
    • Origin:

      Welsh, Breton, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Estonian, and Basque variation of Maria or Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Mari enjoyed some mid-century popularity as a nicknameish version of Mary, but now deserves a second look as a multicultural classic. Mari is the name of the Basque goddess of fertility and weather and is also, for unrelated reasons, popular in Norway. The biggest problem with the potentially-lovely Mari will be getting people to say it the way you want. While some Europeans pronounce it as Marie, that will only confuse things more. Better to make it its own individual name by pronouncing it MAH-ree. As one commenter pointed out, in Estonian the name is not a Mary variation but means "berry" – all the more reason for us to like it!
  2. Xavi
    • Origin:

      Catalan diminutive of Xavier, Basque or Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "new house or bright"
    • Description:

      This nickname was given often enough as a standalone to land it in the Top 1000 from 2010—2013.
  3. Nayara
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Naiara, Basque place-name
    • Description:

      Nayara or Naiara is a Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
  4. Vasco
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "someone from the Basque region"
    • Description:

      Schoolchildren will recognize this name via Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.
  5. Ion
    • Origin:

      Romanian and Basque variation of John
    • Description:

      A cross between Ian and a group of atomic particles.
  6. Ksawery
    • Origin:

      Polish variation of Xavier, Basque and Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "new house; bright"
  7. Jimeno
    • Origin:

      Variation of Ximen, Basque "son"
    • Meaning:

      "son"
    • Description:

      You may be more familiar with Jimena, the feminization of this name. Jimeno is just as upbeat and attractive — we'd love to see more parents embrace this rarity. It was given to fewer than five baby boys in the last year on record.
  8. Ksawier
    • Origin:

      Polish variation of Xavier, Basque and Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "new house; bright"
  9. Belita
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Basque diminutive of Isabella, Italian
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God; beautiful"
    • Description:

      A nickname for Bella or Isabella, from Isabelita.