Filipino Names
Filipino names tell the story of the islands in a single word. Three centuries of Spanish rule left Catholic saints’ names and Spanish surnames; American rule added English favorites; and older Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilocano words like Liwayway (“dawn”) and Tala (“star”) never went away. On top of that, Filipinos are famously creative, blending parents’ names into new ones and giving everyone a playful nickname.
This hub collects more than 90 names that show each of those layers, with meanings. For full lists, head to Filipino girl names, Filipino boy names and Filipino last names. Because so many names came via Spain, our Spanish names collection is a useful companion.
Filipino Names: browse all lists
Native Filipino names from Tagalog and other languages
These names come from Philippine languages rather than Spanish or English. Many were revived from the 1970s on as parents looked for names with local roots.
| Name | Meaning | Language / gender |
|---|---|---|
| Tala | “Star”; also the name of a star goddess | Tagalog, girl |
| Mayumi | “Gentle, tender” | Tagalog, girl |
| Liwayway | “Dawn” | Tagalog, girl |
| Amihan | “Northeast monsoon wind”; a mythic bird | Tagalog, girl or unisex |
| Diwa | “Spirit, essence” | Tagalog, unisex |
| Ligaya | “Happiness, joy” | Tagalog, girl |
| Dalisay | “Pure” | Tagalog, girl |
| Luningning | “Brilliance, sparkle” | Tagalog, girl |
| Hiraya | “Fruit of one’s hopes and dreams” | Tagalog, girl |
| Marikit | “Beautiful, pretty” | Tagalog, girl |
| Dakila | “Great, noble” | Tagalog, boy |
| Bayani | “Hero” | Tagalog, boy |
| Datu | “Chief, ruler” | Pre-colonial title, boy |
| Lakan | “Paramount lord, nobleman” | Tagalog, boy |
| Kidlat | “Lightning” | Tagalog, boy |
| Makisig | “Handsome, dashing” | Tagalog, boy |
| Magiting | “Valiant, brave” | Tagalog, boy |
| Bathala | Supreme god of Tagalog mythology | Tagalog, boy |
| Malaya | “Free” | Tagalog, unisex |
| Alon | “Wave” | Tagalog, unisex |
| Mutya | “Pearl; charm, amulet” | Tagalog, girl |
| Sinag | “Ray of light” | Tagalog, unisex |
Spanish-era Filipino names that are still everywhere
Catholic baptism made saints’ names the norm, and many Filipinos were named after the saint on the church calendar for their birthday. These remain everyday names in the Philippines.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Jose | Spanish form of Joseph, “God will add” | Boy |
| Juan | Spanish form of John, “God is gracious” | Boy |
| Antonio | Latin family name Antonius | Boy |
| Manuel | From Emmanuel, “God is with us” | Boy |
| Ramon | Spanish form of Raymond, “wise protector” | Boy |
| Eduardo | “Wealthy guardian” | Boy |
| Rodrigo | “Famous ruler” | Boy |
| Andres | Spanish form of Andrew, “manly” | Boy |
| Maria | Latin form of Mary; the most common girl’s name for generations | Girl |
| Rosario | “Rosary” | Girl |
| Teresita | Diminutive of Teresa, possibly “harvester” | Girl |
| Corazon | “Heart” | Girl |
| Milagros | “Miracles” | Girl |
| Remedios | “Remedies” (from Our Lady of Remedies) | Girl |
| Luz | “Light” | Girl |
| Isabel | Spanish form of Elizabeth, “pledged to God” | Girl |
| Carmela | From Mount Carmel, “garden” | Girl |
| Imelda | Germanic, “all-embracing battle” | Girl |
Popular modern Filipino baby names
Today’s Filipino parents often choose English and international names, frequently with creative spellings. These have been common in Philippine birth registrations in recent years.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel | Hebrew, “gift of God” | Boy |
| Jacob | Hebrew, “supplanter” | Boy |
| Ezekiel | Hebrew, “God strengthens” | Boy |
| Gabriel | Hebrew, “God is my strength” | Boy |
| Angelo | Italian, “angel, messenger” | Boy |
| Christian | “Follower of Christ” | Boy |
| Althea | Greek, “healing” | Girl |
| Princess | English word name | Girl |
| Angel | “Messenger” | Girl |
| Samantha | Possibly Aramaic, “listener” | Girl |
| Andrea | Greek, “manly, strong” (feminine use) | Girl |
| Nicole | Greek, “victory of the people” | Girl |
| Sofia | Greek, “wisdom” | Girl |
| Ethan | Hebrew, “firm, enduring” | Boy |
Blended names: a Filipino specialty
Combining the parents’ names (or two saints) into one is a beloved Filipino tradition. These portmanteau names are instantly recognizable as Pinoy.
| Name | Made from | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Marivic | Maria + Victoria | Classic 1960s–70s blend |
| Jomar | Usually Jo(se) + Mar(ia) | One of the best-known blends |
| Luzviminda | Luzon + Visayas + Mindanao | Named after the country’s three island groups |
| Rosemarie | Rose + Marie | Popular across generations |
| Marites | Maria + Teresa | Now also slang for a gossip |
| Maricel | Maria + Cecilia (or Celia) | Popular 1970s–80s blend |
| Jonalyn | Jona + Lyn | Typical “-lyn” ending |
| Jhunrey | Junior + Rey | Shows the creative “Jh-” spelling |
| Lovelyn | Love + Lyn | Sweet made-up name |
| Mariafe | Maria + Fe (“faith”) | Joins a saint and a virtue |
Famous Filipino nicknames
Almost every Filipino has a nickname, often made by repeating a syllable. A person named Jose might go by Pepe; a Rosario might be Charing. Presidents are no exception.
| Nickname | Usually short for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bong | Various names, often given to juniors | Bongbong Marcos (Ferdinand Jr.) |
| Jun | Junior | Given to sons named after their fathers |
| Bing | Various names | Classic girl’s nickname |
| Pepe | Jose | Traditional Spanish nickname |
| Charing | Rosario | Old-fashioned favorite |
| Nonoy | “Little boy” | Affectionate Visayan nickname |
| Neneng | “Little girl” | Affectionate nickname |
| Ninoy | Benigno | Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. |
| Noynoy | Benigno (repeated) | President Benigno Aquino III |
| Cory | Corazon | President Corazon Aquino |
| Dodong | “Young boy” | Common in Cebuano areas |
| Inday | “Young girl” | Common in Visayan families |
Common Filipino last names
The 1849 Clavería decree gave Filipino families surnames from an official catalog, which is why Spanish surnames dominate. Full list: Filipino last names.
| Surname | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Santos | “Saints” | Spanish |
| Reyes | “Kings” | Spanish |
| Cruz | “Cross” | Spanish |
| Bautista | “Baptist” | Spanish |
| Garcia | Possibly Basque, “young” or “bear” | Spanish |
| Mendoza | Basque, “cold mountain” | Spanish |
| Dela Cruz | “Of the cross” | Spanish |
| Macaraeg | Pangasinan surname; often explained as “capable” | Filipino |
| Dimaculangan | “Cannot be lacking” | Tagalog |
| Lim | Hokkien form of Lin, “forest” | Chinese-Filipino |
| Tan | Hokkien form of Chen | Chinese-Filipino |
| Ramos | “Branches” (Palm Sunday) | Spanish |
| Flores | “Flowers” | Spanish |
| Villanueva | “New town” | Spanish |
| Castillo | “Castle” | Spanish |
| Aquino | From Thomas Aquinas / Aquino, Italy | Spanish-Italian |
How to choose a Filipino name
- Pick your layer: a native Tagalog name like Tala or Bayani celebrates heritage, a saint’s name like Isabel honors Catholic tradition, and a blended name honors both parents.
- Think about the nickname. In a Filipino family it will be used more than the full name, so say the likely nickname out loud too.
- Check the meaning in other Philippine languages. A word that’s lovely in Tagalog can mean something else in Cebuano or Ilocano.
- For Tagalog names, keep the stress in mind: Mayumi is ma-YOO-mee, Ligaya is li-GA-ya. Written accent marks are usually dropped, so tell people.
- Looking for a Spanish-style first name? Browse Spanish girl names and Spanish boy names.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Filipinos have Spanish names?
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for over 300 years. Catholic baptism spread saints’ names, and an 1849 decree by Governor-General Clavería assigned surnames from a catalog, most of them Spanish.
What are some traditional Filipino names?
Native names include Tala (“star”), Liwayway (“dawn”), Mayumi (“gentle”), Ligaya (“joy”), Bayani (“hero”) and Dakila (“great”).
Why do Filipinos have unusual nicknames?
Nicknames are a strong cultural habit, often made by repeating a syllable (Bongbong, Noynoy) or using endearments like Nonoy and Neneng. They’re used by family, friends and even in politics.
What is the most common last name in the Philippines?
Dela Cruz, Santos, Reyes, Garcia and Bautista are among the most common Filipino surnames.
What does the name Luzviminda mean?
Luzviminda combines Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three main island groups of the Philippines. It’s a patriotic blended name.