Mexican Girl Names
Mexican girl names carry centuries of history in a single word. Some honor the Virgin Mary (Guadalupe, Dolores, Consuelo); some come from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs (Xóchitl, Citlali); and others, like Regina and Ximena, are simply stylish favorites of today’s parents. Here are 100+ names with meanings, grouped by style so you can browse the traditional and the modern side by side.
We’ve also noted the loving nicknames families really use: Lupita, Chelo, Chayo and more. Browse the boys’ side in Mexican boy names, or go back to all Mexican names. For more Spanish-language inspiration, see Spanish girl names and Hispanic girl names.
Most popular Mexican girl names right now
Mexican parents currently favor elegant, multi-syllable names with a soft ending. Regina and Ximena are especially Mexican favorites; you’ll hear them far less in Spain.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Sofía | Wisdom | Greek |
| Valentina | Strong, healthy | Latin |
| Regina | Queen | Latin |
| Camila | Young attendant at religious rites | Latin |
| María José | Mary + God will add | Spanish compound |
| Ximena | Listener (feminine of Simón), possibly Basque “son” | Spanish |
| Renata | Reborn | Latin |
| Victoria | Victory | Latin |
| Isabella | Pledged to God | Italian from Hebrew |
| Valeria | Strength, health | Latin |
| Romina | From Rome, or Roman woman | Italian/Latin |
| Natalia | Born at Christmas | Latin |
| Fernanda | Bold voyager | Germanic |
| Mariana | Of Mary, or of Marius | Latin |
| Daniela | God is my judge | Hebrew |
| Emilia | Rival, eager | Latin |
| Julieta | Youthful | Latin via Italian |
| Luciana | Light | Latin |
| Paula | Small, humble | Latin |
| Andrea | Brave, strong | Greek |
Traditional Marian names and their nicknames
Many classic Mexican girl names come from titles of the Virgin Mary, often shortened from “María de…”. Their nicknames are as beloved as the names themselves.
| Name | Nickname | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe | Lupe, Lupita | Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico |
| Dolores | Lola, Lolita | Sorrows (Our Lady of Sorrows) |
| Consuelo | Chelo | Consolation |
| Rosario | Chayo | Rosary |
| Soledad | Chole | Solitude |
| Socorro | Coco | Help, succor |
| Mercedes | Meche | Mercies |
| Concepción | Conchita, Concha | Immaculate Conception |
| Refugio | Cuca | Refuge |
| Luz | Lucha | Light (Our Lady of Light) |
| Esperanza | Espe | Hope |
| Asunción | Chona | Assumption |
| Pilar | Pili | Pillar (Our Lady of the Pillar) |
| Carmen | Carmelita, Mela | Garden (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) |
| Araceli | Chely | Altar of heaven |
| Remedios | Reme | Remedies |
| Milagros | Mila | Miracles |
| Trinidad | Trini | Holy Trinity |
| Graciela | Chela | Grace |
| Ana María | Anita | Grace + Mary |
Aztec (Nahuatl) girl names
Nahuatl names have become a proud choice for Mexican and Mexican-American families. Citlali and Xóchitl are the best known, but there are many more.
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation / note |
|---|---|---|
| Xóchitl | Flower | SO-cheel; also a day sign |
| Citlali | Star | seet-LAH-lee |
| Metztli | Moon | METZ-tlee; moon deity |
| Quetzalli | Precious feather, beautiful | ket-SAH-lee |
| Yoloxóchitl | Heart flower | yo-lo-SO-cheel |
| Ameyali | Spring, fountain | ah-meh-YAH-lee |
| Tonantzin | Our revered mother | Title linked to Guadalupe |
| Xochiquetzal | Precious flower feather | Goddess of beauty and love |
| Mayahuel | Goddess of the agave plant | mah-YAH-well |
| Chalchiuhtlicue | She of the jade skirt | Water goddess |
| Malinalli | Twisted grass | Birth name linked to La Malinche |
| Iztaccíhuatl | White woman | Name of the snowy volcano |
| Miztli | Puma, mountain lion | Unisex |
| Xiuhtonal | Precious light | Rare, poetic |
| Tlazohtzin | Beloved one | Rare, affectionate |
| Yaretzi | Popularly said to mean “you will always be loved” | Modern favorite; origin disputed |
Maya, Zapotec and other Indigenous girl names
Mexico recognizes 68 Indigenous languages. These names come from several of them and feel both rooted and fresh.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Itzel | Often linked to the moon goddess Ixchel; “dew of the evening” | Maya |
| Nayeli | Popularly “I love you” (disputed) | Zapotec |
| Ixchel | Rainbow lady; moon goddess | Maya |
| Yatzil | Beloved thing | Yucatec Maya |
| Sac Nicté | White flower | Yucatec Maya |
| Nicté | Flower | Yucatec Maya |
| Xiadani | Flower of the heart (popular reading) | Zapotec |
| Eréndira | The smiling one | Purépecha |
| Zyanya | Always, forever | Zapotec |
| Ixtab | Goddess of the hunt and the rope | Maya |
Flower names for Mexican girls
Flowers fill Mexican culture, from Day of the Dead marigolds to the dahlia, Mexico’s national flower. For more ideas see our flower names for girls.
| Name | Flower | Why we love it |
|---|---|---|
| Dalia | Dahlia | Mexico’s national flower |
| Azucena | Madonna lily | Classic, gentle |
| Rosa | Rose | Timeless, easy nickname Rosita |
| Jazmín | Jasmine | Fragrant and popular |
| Violeta | Violet | Vintage revival |
| Margarita | Daisy | Also “pearl” in Greek |
| Amapola | Poppy | Rare and romantic |
| Flor | Flower | Short and sweet |
| Magnolia | Magnolia | Southern elegance |
| Alelí | Wallflower (gillyflower) | Unusual, musical |
| Hortensia | Hydrangea | Old-fashioned charm |
| Gardenia | Gardenia | Soft and fragrant |
Girl names inspired by famous Mexican women
From painters to screen legends, these women made these names iconic.
| Name | Meaning | Famous namesake |
|---|---|---|
| Frida | Peace | Frida Kahlo, painter |
| Juana | God is gracious | Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, poet |
| Josefa | God will add | Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, independence heroine |
| Leona | Lioness | Leona Vicario, independence heroine |
| Adelita | Noble | “La Adelita,” symbol of revolutionary women |
| Salma | Peaceful, safe | Salma Hayek, actress |
| Selena | Moon | Selena Quintanilla, Mexican-American singer |
| Thalía | To blossom | Thalía, singer and actress |
| Yalitza | Modern invented name | Yalitza Aparicio, actress |
| Chavela | Pledged to God (nickname of Isabel) | Chavela Vargas, singer |
| Elena | Bright, shining light | Elena Poniatowska, author |
| Lucero | Morning star, bright light | Lucero, singer and actress |
Modern and short Mexican girl names
These names are rising fast, especially in cities. They are short, international and easy to spell on both sides of the border.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ivanna | God is gracious | Slavic feminine of Iván |
| Mía | Mine, or beloved | Spanish/Italian |
| Abril | April, opening | Spanish |
| Luna | Moon | Spanish/Latin |
| Zoe | Life | Greek |
| Dulce | Sweet | Spanish |
| Montserrat | Serrated mountain | Catalan |
| Maite | Beloved | Basque |
| Aitana | Glory (from a Valencian mountain) | Basque/Spanish |
| Jimena | Variant of Ximena | Spanish |
| Arely | Popularly “altar of heaven”, a form of Araceli | Mexican Spanish |
| Paloma | Dove | Spanish |
Tips for choosing a Mexican girl name
- Many families pair María with a second name (María José, María Fernanda); the girl usually goes by the combination or by the second name alone.
- Marian names such as Dolores or Soledad sound somber in English translation, but in Mexico they are warm, devotional names, and the nicknames (Lola, Chole) keep them playful.
- If you choose a Nahuatl name, learn the pronunciation from a native speaker; Xóchitl is “SO-cheel,” not “zo-kit-ul.”
- Check how the name reads with both surnames. A long first name like Valentina flows well with short surnames such as Ruiz or Luna.
- For a name that shares a meaning across cultures, look at names that mean star or names that mean moon; Citlali and Metztli fit right in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular girl name in Mexico?
Sofía has led Mexican birth records for years, with Valentina, Regina, Camila and María José also consistently near the top.
What does Citlali mean?
Citlali (also spelled Citlalli) is Nahuatl for “star.” It is one of the most widely used Indigenous names in Mexico and among Mexican-Americans.
Why is Lupe short for Guadalupe?
Lupe comes from the final syllables of Gua-da-LU-PE. Lupita adds the affectionate Spanish diminutive -ita.
Is Ximena a Mexican name?
Ximena is a medieval Spanish name (the wife of El Cid was Jimena), but the X spelling is especially popular in Mexico, where the X is pronounced like an H.
What are some pretty Aztec girl names?
Xóchitl (flower), Citlali (star), Metztli (moon), Quetzalli (precious feather) and Yoloxóchitl (heart flower) are among the loveliest.