Spanish Word Names
- Fortuna
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"luck"Description:
The Roman goddess Fortuna personified luck and ruled over fortune and fate. She is often depicted as blindfolded, and remains an important figure in Italian culture today, where a common saying translates to "Luck is blind."
- Alondra
Origin:
Pet form of Alejandra or SpanishMeaning:
"lark"Description:
A Spanish TV show made this one popular, along with single-named Mexican singer, Alondra.
- Gracia
Origin:
Spanish variation of GraceDescription:
Although Gracia is the literal Spanish translation of Grace and is used as the Grace equivalent in Spanish-speaking countries, where it's pronounced grah-see-a, it's also a long-time if unusual Grace variation pronounced gray-sha. You might consider Gracia if Grace is getting too commonplace for you.
- Julio
Origin:
Spanish variation of JuliusDescription:
What with Paul Simon's classic lyric about Julio down by the schoolyard and several distinguished bearers, this livelier Spanish version of Julius is completely familiar to the non-Hispanic community and would make a great choice for a bicultural family. NFL Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones bears this name.
- Prospero
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of ProsperMeaning:
"succeed, prosper"Description:
Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.
- Ola
Origin:
Norwegian and Swedish form of OlafMeaning:
"ancestor's relic"Description:
Simple, friendly, distinctive name heard in several cultures. The a ending may feel more feminine in the US than Ole, though both variations are acceptable in Scandinavia.
- Domingo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"born on a Sunday"Description:
Commonly heard in Hispanic cultures, a rhythmic possibility here.
- Reno
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Has a lively and swaggering sound, and also some unfortunate associations with Reno, city of gambling and failed marriages.
- Loa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"long"Description:
Though little used as a first name, Loa will be familiar to many from the name of Hawaii's most famous volcano, Mauna Loa, on the Big Island.
- Serafin
Origin:
Spanish variation of Seraphim, HebrewMeaning:
"fiery"Description:
Serafin and Seraphim are much less known and used in the US than the feminine forms Serafina and Seraphina, but just as appealing. An out-of-the-box Spanish option with a deep history and an animated meaning.
- Lucero
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucero is a relative or nickname of Luz, meaning light. This intriguing name is swimming just beneath the Top 1000 for girls in the US.
- Santos
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"saint, holy"Description:
The Spanish and Portuguese variation of the all-saints name. Santos is a name that has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year except for two: 1913 and 1915.
- Vina
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"vineyard"Description:
Occasionally heard in the 1920s and 30s, along with siblings Bina and Mina; Vienna would be a more modern choice.
- Fausto
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of FaustMeaning:
"fortunate one"Description:
While Faust, who sold his soul to the devil, was anything but fortunate, this Latinate variation is more commonly heard and accepted.
- Santa
Origin:
Feminine variation of Santo, ItalianMeaning:
"saint"Description:
Santa has an appealing sound, or maybe that's sleigh bells we hear? It's difficult to separate the Italian girls' name Santa from the association to Mr. Claus, king of Christmas. The German diminutive Senta -- or Snow or even Christmas -- might be an easier name to handle.
- Reyes
Origin:
Spanish surnameMeaning:
"kings, royalty"Description:
This regal Spanish surname combines several of today's top trends — names that end in S, last names as first names — in a single, stylish form.
- Nevada
Origin:
Spanish place-nameMeaning:
"covered in snow"Description:
Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.
- Cala
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"castle, fortess"Description:
Extremely simple and extremely distinctive -- a winning combination. Sound-alike Calla is a Greek (and botanical) name that means beautiful.
- Pacifica
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"tranquil"Description:
When properly pronounced, has an alluring sound and harmonious meaning.
- Liviana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"envious"Description:
Somehow sounds even posher than Lavinia. A lushly beautiful name, in the trendy ancient style, marred only by a negative meaning.