Hispanic Boy Names
Hispanic boy names manage to feel both classic and current. Santiago and Mateo top charts from Mexico to Argentina, while grandfather names like Rodrigo, Ignacio and Joaquín are having a real comeback — and every one of them comes with a warm nickname (Nacho, anyone?).
We’ve collected 100+ Hispanic boy names used across Spain, Latin America and Spanish-speaking families in the US, grouped by style with their meanings and roots. You’ll also find Basque and Nahuatl names that give a nod to heritage. Looking for a sister name? See our Hispanic girl names, or go back to the main Hispanic names guide. Families with Mexican roots should also browse our Mexican boy names.
Popular Hispanic boy names today
The names below are among the most given to baby boys across Spanish-speaking countries and Hispanic families in the US right now.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago | “Saint James,” from Sant Iago | Spanish |
| Mateo | “Gift of God” | Hebrew |
| Sebastián | “Venerable, revered” | Greek |
| Matías | “Gift of Yahweh” | Hebrew |
| Leonardo | “Brave as a lion” | Germanic |
| Emiliano | From the Roman family name Aemilius, “rival” | Latin |
| Diego | Possibly from Didacus, “teaching” | Spanish |
| Gael | Possibly “Gaelic person” | Celtic, via Galicia |
| Thiago | Portuguese form of Iago (James) | Portuguese; a favorite in Argentina |
| Benjamín | “Son of the right hand” | Hebrew |
| Martín | “Of Mars” | Latin |
| Lucas | “From Lucania” | Latin |
| Nicolás | “Victory of the people” | Greek |
| Joaquín | “God will establish” | Hebrew |
| Maximiliano | “Greatest” | Latin |
| Alejandro | “Defender of men” | Greek |
| Santino | “Little saint” | Italian-Spanish, popular in Argentina |
| Valentín | “Strong, healthy” | Latin |
Classic Spanish boy names
These are the names of fathers and grandfathers across the Spanish-speaking world — dependable, handsome and never out of date.
| Name | Meaning | English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| José | “He will add” | Joseph |
| Juan | “God is gracious” | John |
| Luis | “Famous warrior” | Louis |
| Carlos | “Free man” | Charles |
| Jorge | “Farmer” | George |
| Miguel | “Who is like God?” | Michael |
| Pedro | “Rock” | Peter |
| Francisco | “Frenchman” | Francis |
| Antonio | Roman family name, possibly “priceless” | Anthony |
| Manuel | “God is with us” | Emmanuel |
| Ricardo | “Brave ruler” | Richard |
| Fernando | Germanic, “bold journey” | Ferdinand |
| Roberto | “Bright fame” | Robert |
| Eduardo | “Wealthy guardian” | Edward |
| Alberto | “Noble and bright” | Albert |
| Arturo | Possibly “bear” | Arthur |
| Enrique | “Ruler of the home” | Henry |
| Guillermo | “Resolute protector” | William |
| Javier | Basque <em>etxeberri</em>, “new house” | Xavier |
| Raúl | “Wolf counsel” | Ralph |
| Ignacio | From Egnatius, associated with “fire” | Ignatius |
Unique and strong Hispanic boy names
Want something less common? Basque names like Iker and Unai are fashionable in Spain, and medieval Castilian names such as Alonso and Ramiro feel regal. For more, see Spanish boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Iker | “Visitation” | Basque |
| Unai | “Cowherd” | Basque |
| Aitor | Legendary Basque forefather; possibly “good fathers” | Basque |
| Íñigo | From Eneko; meaning uncertain | Basque |
| Rodrigo | “Famous ruler” | Germanic |
| Álvaro | Possibly “guardian of all” | Germanic |
| Gonzalo | From <em>gunþ</em>, “battle” | Germanic (Visigothic) |
| Alonso | “Noble and ready” | Germanic |
| Ramiro | “Famous counsel” | Germanic |
| Bruno | “Brown” | Germanic |
| Hugo | “Mind, heart” | Germanic |
| Rubén | “Behold, a son” | Hebrew |
| Ulises | Spanish form of Ulysses (Odysseus) | Greek/Latin |
| Tadeo | Possibly “heart” or “courageous” | Aramaic |
| Cristóbal | “Christ-bearer” | Greek |
| Lisandro | “Liberator” | Greek |
| Leandro | “Lion man” | Greek |
| Octavio | “Eighth” | Latin |
Biblical and saint names for boys
Faith runs deep in Hispanic naming — Jesús, Ángel and even Salvador (“savior”) are everyday names. For more ideas, browse our biblical boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Jesús | “God saves” | Jesus of Nazareth |
| Ángel | “Messenger, angel” | Guardian angels |
| Gabriel | “God is my strength” | Archangel Gabriel |
| Rafael | “God has healed” | Archangel Raphael |
| Tomás | “Twin” | Apostle Thomas |
| Andrés | “Manly, brave” | Apostle Andrew |
| Felipe | “Lover of horses” | Apostle Philip |
| Esteban | “Crown” | Saint Stephen, first martyr |
| Pablo | “Small, humble” | Saint Paul |
| Elías | “My God is Yahweh” | Prophet Elijah |
| Ezequiel | “God strengthens” | Prophet Ezekiel |
| Emanuel | “God is with us” | Isaiah 7:14 |
| Salvador | “Savior” | Christ the Savior |
| Santos | “Saints” | All Saints’ Day |
| Cruz | “Cross” | The Holy Cross |
Virtue and nature names
Spanish has a lovely tradition of word names. These are short, meaningful and instantly understood by Spanish speakers.
| Name | Meaning | Style |
|---|---|---|
| León | “Lion” | Bold, trendy in Spain |
| Río | “River” | Nature, modern |
| Olmo | “Elm tree” | Nature, fashionable in Spain |
| Ciro | Spanish form of Cyrus, possibly “sun” | Short, ancient |
| Amado | “Beloved” | Romantic, vintage |
| Fidel | “Faithful” | Virtue |
| Clemente | “Merciful” | Virtue, papal |
| Justo | “Fair, just” | Virtue |
| Celestino | “Heavenly” | Vintage |
| Modesto | “Modest” | Vintage virtue |
| Inocencio | “Innocent” | Old-fashioned, papal |
Nahuatl (Aztec) boy names used in Mexico
Mexican families sometimes choose names from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, to honor indigenous heritage. Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, is the best-known example.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cuauhtémoc | “Descending eagle” | Last Aztec emperor |
| Cuauhtli | “Eagle” | Short and striking |
| Tonatiuh | “Sun” | The Aztec sun god |
| Tenoch | Possibly “stone prickly pear” | Legendary founder of Tenochtitlan |
| Ehécatl | “Wind” | Aztec wind deity |
| Yaotl | “Warrior” | Rare and bold |
Hispanic nicknames every family knows
Spanish nicknames (apodos) often look nothing like the full name. Here are the classics.
| Nickname | Full name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Paco | Francisco | Common in Spain and Mexico |
| Pancho | Francisco | Especially Mexican |
| Pepe | José | From “P.P.,” <em>Pater Putativus</em>, a title of Saint Joseph (traditional explanation) |
| Chema | José María | Blends the two names |
| Memo | Guillermo | Mexican favorite |
| Kike | Enrique | Pronounced KEE-keh |
| Nacho | Ignacio | Yes, like the snack |
| Chuy | Jesús | Mexican and Chicano |
| Chucho | Jesús | Affectionate |
| Lalo | Eduardo | Friendly and playful |
| Beto | Roberto or Alberto | Very common |
| Toño | Antonio | Also Toni |
| Nando | Fernando | Also Fer |
How to choose a Hispanic boy name
- Test the name in both languages. Jorge and Javier are pronounced HOR-heh and ha-VYEHR in Spanish but often anglicized in the US. Names like Mateo, Lucas and Gabriel sound almost identical either way.
- Plan for the nickname. Almost every Hispanic name has an apodo; make sure you like Chuy before choosing Jesús or Nacho before choosing Ignacio.
- Consider a compound name. Juan Pablo, José Miguel and Luis Ángel let you honor two people at once.
- Say it with both surnames. In Hispanic tradition your son will carry two last names; see our Hispanic last names list to test the rhythm.
- Look to the saints’ calendar. Some families still choose the saint whose feast falls on the baby’s birthday.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Hispanic boy name?
Mateo and Santiago have been at or near the top in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and among Hispanic families in the US in recent years, with Sebastián, Matías and Leonardo close behind.
What are some rare Hispanic boy names?
Aitor, Unai, Olmo, Ramiro, Lisandro and Tenoch are all authentic but uncommon outside their home regions.
Why is Pepe a nickname for José?
The traditional explanation is that Saint Joseph was called Pater Putativus (“presumed father”), abbreviated P.P. and read “Pepe.” Linguists think it may simply come from childish repetition of the name.
What Hispanic boy names mean strong?
Valentín (“strong, healthy”), Andrés (“manly, brave”), Leandro (“lion man”), Gonzalo (“battle”) and León (“lion”) all carry a sense of strength. See our names that mean strength for more.
Is Gael a Spanish name?
Gael is Celtic in origin but has become hugely popular in Mexico and Spain, helped by the Mexican actor Gael García Bernal.