Spanish Hispanic and Latin names
- Erendira
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"she who smiles"Description:
Erendira was the name of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez heroine and also a mythological princess. The name is best known in Mexico.
- Exechio
- Ezequiel
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese form of Ezekiel, HebrewMeaning:
"God strengthens"Description:
Ezekiel and Ezequiel have both featured in the US Top 1000 since the 1980s , though it has been since the 2010s that they've become favorites. Joining Biblical or international style choices such as Gabriel and Raphael, Ezekiel is in the Top 100, while this Spanish and Portuguese variation sits comfortably in the Top 400.
- Florella
- Hilaria
Origin:
Latin, SpanishMeaning:
"cheerful"Description:
Hilaria, the ancient Roman form of Hilary also given to joyous festivals, is still used in Spain and Poland, while the intriguing Italian version is Ilaria. A notable current bearer is fitness expert and wife of Alec, Hilaria Baldwin, who was born Hillary.
- Iluminada
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"illuminated"Description:
A distinctive, rhythmic, and lovely Spanish name that suggests enlightenment.
- Inocencia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"innocence"Description:
Inocencia is like Chastity or Immaculata. Few modern girls outside the Latino community -- or even in it -- would appreciate having to carry this name.
- Isla
Origin:
Scottish place-name or SpanishMeaning:
"island"Description:
Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
- Jacinta
Origin:
Spanish for Greek flower nameMeaning:
"hyacinth"Description:
Jacinta, the Spanish word for hyacinth, is a lot softer and sweeter than the English version. The correct Spanish pronunciation is ha-SEEN-ta, though many English speakers would say ja-SIN-ta. Although the name is slightly different, Jacinta is largely associated at present with Australian-born actress Jacinda Barrett.
- Leonel
Origin:
Variation of Lionel, FrenchMeaning:
"young lion"Description:
A variation of Lionel that has made slow but substanial gains in recent years, perhaps helped by the resurgence of Leo. It is also the Spanish and Portuguese variant.
- Lumina
- Luminosa
- Madre
- Madrona
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"mother"Description:
A bit grown-up for a tiny baby.
- Mariposa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"butterfly"Description:
Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
- Marisol
Origin:
Spanish, contracted form of Maria de la SoledadMeaning:
"Mary of Solitude"Description:
Marisol is a favorite Spanish name for girls, and an excellent candidate to cross the culture line, a la Soledad and Paz.
- Mireya
Origin:
Spanish from LatinMeaning:
"admired"Description:
A pretty and unusual path to the nickname Mira. Mira is the main character in Nobel Prize-winner Federico Mistral's poem of the same name. Mireya Moscoso was Panama's first female president.
- Nemesio
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"justice"Description:
The meaning makes this name interesting, but the sound is too related to nemesis.
- Paquita
Origin:
Spanish, diminutive of FrancesDescription:
Sassy but slight nickname name.
- Pascua
Origin:
Spanish from HebrewMeaning:
"Easter"Description:
Occasionally used in the Latino community, another Easter-related name.