100 Fun & Popular Hispanic & Mexican Baby Names - Motherhood Community (2023)

Overview

Are you looking for fun and popular Mexican baby names? We prepared this listicle to help you pick the perfect name for your little one.

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The Mexican culture is diverse, with influences ranging from the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations to European and other Hispanic cultures. (1)

So, don’t be surprised that some Greek, Irish, or Spanish baby names are included in our list.

How Do Mexican Names Work?

Mexicans tend to have long names because they usually have two personal names (the second one isn’t a middle name), and they also include both their parents’ last names. In contrast, most cultures use just one first name and their dad’s last name (such as John Smith).

Also, the first personal name usually denotes their gender, but the second name can be a unisex name or even a name from the opposite gender. That’s why some Mexicans drop the second one in favor of the shorter version. (2)

A Mexican might be named Juan Miguel Rodriguez De La Hoya, with “Rodriguez” and “De La Hoya” being his parents’ last names.

The first last name is their father’s and can be used as a standalone, while the second (their mother’s last name) is rarely used alone. (2)

However, many don’t follow this rule nowadays, especially if they’re living in other countries. Many might just use their first name and their father’s.

For example, famous Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana’s full name is Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán, while Director Guillermo Del Toro’s full name is Guillermo del Toro Gómez.

How To Choose A Mexican Baby Name

You can use Mexican names as inspiration by choosing the same spelling or creating your own variation.

Unlike Korean or Chinese names, Mexican name meanings don’t change much even with some letter additions or variations. For example, you can make “Pedro” into “Piedro.”

Many Mexican names have similar sounds or spellings as their English counterparts, making them easy to spot. Even if you aren’t Mexican, you can use their names as inspiration.

Baby Naming Trends In Mexico

Mexico is a highly religious country, with as many as 80% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. (3)

So, it’s also not surprising that many Mexican boysand girls are named after Roman Catholic popes and saints or biblical figures.

Mexican Celebrity Baby Names

Some parents also love to name their children after their idols or celebrities’ babies.

Popular baby boy names can include inspirations from these famous Mexicans in the entertainment industry:

• Actor Diego Luna
• Boxer and boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya
• Musician Carlos Santana
• Musician Marco Antonio Solis
• Director Guillermo Del Toro

What’s A Mexican Female Name?

It can be easy to distinguish between the names of boys and girls in their ending letters.

Mexican girl names often end with an “a,” while boy names usually end with an “o.” Sometimes, boy versions of a name are added with an “a” to make them into a girl name.

Examples are:

• Boy names: Alejandro, Francisco, Manuel, and Juan
• Girl names: Alejandra, Francisca, Manuela, and Juana

What Are The Top 10 Mexican Names?

Trends can vary, but these are among the most popular Mexican names:

1. Ana
2. Andrea
3. Diego
4. Elena
5. José
6. Juan
7. Manuel
8. María
9. Raul
10. Sofia

You can find their meanings and descriptions below.

Girls

Ana

• Origin: Mexican, Greek, and Latin

• Meaning: Favor or grace

• Variations or Synonyms: Anne and Anna

• Description: It traces its roots back to the Latin Old Testament.

Andrea

• Origin: Mexican and Greek

• Meaning: Courageous and virile

• Variations or Synonyms: Andie

• Description: It’s the feminine version of “Andrew.” Because the name meaning for the male version is “manly,” Andrea also means “womanly” as a Mexican girl name.

Elena

• Origin: Mexican, Greek, Italian, and Spanish

• Meaning: Shining light

• Variations or Synonyms: Helen and Helena

• Description: It comes from the Greek “Helene,” with the name meaning “torch.” It’s popular in other Hispanic and Latin American countries.

María

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Beloved, love, or wished for child

• Variations or Synonyms: Mary

• Description: This traditional name is popular because of its links to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Sofia

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, and Greek

• Meaning: Wisdom

• Variations or Synonyms: Sophie or Sophia

• Description: The variant “Sophus” is used for boys.

Boys

Diego

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: Supplanter

• Variations or Synonyms: Santiago

• Description: It’s believed to come from “Santiago,” or the Latin “Didacus” derived from “Didache” (Greek word meaning “teaching”).

José

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: God will give

• Variations or Synonyms: Joseph, Joe, and Yosef (Hebrew)

• Description: It also comes from the Latin name “Iosephus” and Greek “Iosephos.”

Juan

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: The Lord is gracious

• Variations or Synonyms: John

• Description: It’s a popular name in Mexico, often paired with another name. Examples are Juan Carlos and Juan Miguel.

Manuel

• Origin: Mexican and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is with us

• Variations or Synonyms: Immanuel, Emmanuel, and Manny

• Description: It’s also a shortened version of “Emmanuel.”

Raul

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, and Scandinavian

• Meaning: Wolf counsel

• Variations or Synonyms: Ralph

• Description: It’s the Spanish name form of Ralph but originally comes from the Scandinavian name “Ráðúlfr,” derived from Old Norse elements “ráð” (counsel) and “úlfr” (wolf).

Traditional Mexican Names

Girls

Fatima

• Origin: Mexican and Arabic

• Meaning: Abstain, chaste, and motherly

• Variations or Synonyms: Fatimah

• Description: The daughter of Islamic prophet Muhammad, Fatima Zahra, was among the most famous people with this name.

Juana

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: God’s gift or God is gracious

• Variations or Synonyms: Joanna

• Description: It’s the female version of “John.”

Luisa

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Renowned warrior

• Variations or Synonyms: Louise

• Description: It’s the female form of “Luis.”

María Elena

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Star of the sea

• Variations or Synonyms: Marielena

• Description: This composite name can also have other meanings: Maria (beloved, love, or wished for child) and Elena (shining light).

María Guadalupe

• Origin: Mexican, Latin, and Spanish

• Meaning: Named for Virgin Mary

• Description: This composite name is popular among religious Mexicans.

Boys

Daniel

• Origin: Mexican, Hebrew, and Latin

• Meaning: God is my judge

• Variations or Synonyms: Dan and Danyel

• Description: This traditional name is popular in Mexico, especially because of its links to Daniel, the prayerful man of God in the Bible.

Jeronimo

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Greek, and Italian

• Meaning: Holy name

• Variations or Synonyms: Geronimo or Jerome

• Description: It originated from the Greek name “Hieronymus,” a combination of “hieros” (sacred) and “onoma” (name).

Mariano

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Italian, and Latin

• Meaning: Manly

• Variations or Synonyms: Marian (unisex name)

• Description: It can also mean “child of Marius.”

Pedro

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: Rock or stone

• Variations or Synonyms: Peter

• Description: It’s the Hispanic form of “Peter.”

Rafael

• Origin: Mexican, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish

• Meaning: God Has Healed

• Variations or Synonyms: Raphael

• Description: This romantic name is a favorite because of its links to Raphael, an archangel (higher-ranking angels).

What Are Some Unique Mexican Names?

Girls

Ainara

• Origin: Mexican and Basque region (an autonomous community in northern Spain)

• Meaning: Swallow

• Variations or Synonyms: Enara

• Description: It’s a variant of the Basque name “Enara.”

Lareina

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: The queen

• Variations or Synonyms: La Reina

• Description: “La Reina” means “the queen,” similar to “Leroy” or “LeRoy” (the king).

Leticia

• Origin: Mexican, Latin, and American

• Meaning: Joy

• Variations or Synonyms: Latischa and Liteasha

• Description: It comes from the Latin word “laetitia” (joy).

Maite

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Lovable or beloved summer

• Variations or Synonyms: Maria Teresa

• Description: It’s a combination of “María” and “Teresa.”

Soledad

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Solitude

• Description: This traditional Mexican girl name also has links to the Virgin Mary (María de Soledad, which means “Mary of Solitude”).

Boys

Cedro

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Love or a strong gift

• Variations or Synonyms: Cedric or Isidoro

• Description: It’s the Mexican form of Cedric.

Eberardo

• Origin: Mexican, Old German, and Old English

• Meaning: Brave and strong boar

• Variations or Synonyms: Everard

• Description: It’s the Mexican form of the Old German name “Everard.”

Javier

• Origin: Mexican and Basque

• Meaning: Castle and new house

• Variations or Synonyms: Xavier

• Description: It comes from the Basque term “etxe berri” (castle). The name has links to the birthplace of Roman Catholic saint Francis de Xavier (Xavier was his birthplace), who was born in a castle. (4)

Próspero

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin

• Meaning: Fortunate or prosperous

• Variations or Synonyms: Prosperus

• Description: Many parents choose this name to wish their kids a prosperous future.

Tácito

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Silent

• Variations or Synonyms: Tacitus

• Description: It can also mean “he who is called.”

Powerful & Strong Mexican Boy Names

Adolfo

• Origin: Mexican and German

• Meaning: Noble or majestic wolf

• Variations or Synonyms: Adolf and Adolph

• Description: It’s the Mexican version of “Adolf.”

Álvaro

• Origin: Mexican and Old German

• Meaning: Elf warrior

• Variations or Synonyms: Alvaroh

• Description: It can also mean “all guard.”

Andrés

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Italian, and English

• Meaning: Brave and manly

• Variations or Synonyms: Andrew, Andreas, and Andrei

• Description: This name can also mean “warrior.”

Armando

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese

• Meaning: Army man or soldier

• Variations or Synonyms: Herman and Armand

• Description: It’s the romantic Mexican form of “Herman.”

Arturo

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Noble and courageous

• Variations or Synonyms: Arthur

• Description: This brave name is the Mexican version of Arthur.

Grimaldo

• Origin: Mexican and German

• Meaning: Powerful leader

• Variations or Synonyms: Grimaldi or Grimmauld

• Description: It can also mean “masked leader.”

Hernan

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, German, and Latin

• Meaning: Brave journey

• Variations or Synonyms: Ferdinand and Fardnanth

• Description: It comes from “Fardnanth,” which can also mean “spiritual traveler” or “gentle traveler.”

Ignacio

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Basque, and Latin

• Meaning: The fiery one

• Variations or Synonyms: Egnatius and Ignatius

• Description: It’s believed to come from Iñigo, or possibly the Basque term “eneko” (my little one).

Miguel

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Who is like God?

• Variations or Synonyms: Michael

• Description: It’s the Mexican version of Michael.

Vicente

• Origin: Mexican, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese

• Meaning: To conquer

• Variations or Synonyms: Vincent

• Description: It’s the Mexican version of “Vincent.”

Indigenous & Native Mexican Names

Girls

Ariché

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Dusk

• Description: It’s a beautiful name from the Tarahumara indigenous community.

Bimorí

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Fog

• Description: It’s a beautiful name from the Rarámuri or Tarahumara community in Chihuahua, a state in Mexico.

Inda Jani

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Water that is born

• Description: It traces its roots to the Zapotec indigenous community.

Malinalli

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Small plant

• Description: It originated from Mexico’s largest indigenous community, the Nahua.

Nakawé

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Owner of the stars and water

• Description: This lovely name hails from the Huichol indigenous community.

Boys

Ahulane

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Mayan God of war

• Description: It’s from the ancient Mayan people.

Kabil

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: He who has a good hand to sow

• Description: It also comes from the Maya.

Masawa

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Evening wind

• Description: This name comes from the Popoluca indigenous community in southeastern Veracruz and Oaxaca.

Rahui

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Day

• Description: It’s from the Tarahumara indigenous community living in Northern Mexico.

Yooko

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Tiger

• Description: This brave name traces its roots in the indigenous community called Hiaki, Yaqui, or Yoeme in northern Mexico.

Gender-Neutral Mexican Names

Amadis

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, and Latin

• Meaning: God‘s love

• Variations or Synonyms: Amadeo or Amadeus

• Description: It’s the gender-neutral version of Amadeus.

Amor

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Love

• Description: The Spanish word for “love” makes the cutest gender-neutral Mexican baby name for your little love and is a choice rising in popularity in Mexico.

Azul

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Blue

• Description: This popular Mexican baby name for boys and girls is the Hispanic term for the color blue.

Belén

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Bethlehem

• Description: This gender-neutral name is the Mexican version of Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace.

Dani

• Origin: Mexican, Hebrew, French, and Old English

• Meaning: God is my judge

• Variations or Synonyms: Daniel, Danielle, and Daniela

• Description: It’s the gender-neutral version of Daniel.

Elia

• Origin: Mexican and Hebrew

• Meaning: God has answered

• Variations or Synonyms: Eliana

• Description: It’s the unisex form of the Hebrew name “Eliana.”

Iktan

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Clever

• Description: This unisex name hails from the Mayan culture.

Lani

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Sky

• Variations or Synonyms: Lanie or Lany

• Description: It can also mean “heaven” or “chief.”

Naran

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Lunar eclipse

• Description: This unisex name comes from the Triqui indigenous community living in Oaxaca.

Seti

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Bright

• Description: It’s a traditional unisex name from the Mazeteco indigenous community in Oaxaca.

What’s A Beautiful Mexican Girl Name?

Adriana

• Origin: Mexican, Greek, and Latin

• Meaning: Dark

• Variations or Synonyms: Adrienna and Adriene

• Description: It can also mean “a person from Hadria.”

Bonita

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, and Portuguese

• Meaning: Pretty little one

• Variations or Synonyms: Bonnita

• Description: It can also mean “beautiful” and “lively.”

Carolina

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, English, Italian, and Swedish

• Meaning: Song of happiness or joy

• Variations or Synonyms: Caroline

• Description: It’s from the Latin male name “Carolus” (strong one).

Francisca

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish languages

• Meaning: Free one

• Variations or Synonyms: Francheska and Frances

• Description: It’s the female form of “Francisco” and can also mean “one from France” or “truthful.”

Gloria

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Glory or praise

• Variations or Synonyms: Glory

• Description: It’s another religious title for the Virgin Mary as María da Gloria (Glorious Mary).

Isabel

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Consecrated to God

• Variations or Synonyms: Isabelle, Isabela, and Elizabeth

• Description: It’s the Mexican version of “Elizabeth” and can also mean “God is perfection.”

Lucía

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Light

• Variations or Synonyms: Lucy

• Description: It’s the female form of “Lucius.”

Margarita

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Daisy flower or cluster of blossoms

• Variations or Synonyms: Margaret

• Description: It can also mean “pearl.”

Patricia

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Noble woman or aristocrat

• Variations or Synonyms: Patrice and Patsy

• Description: It’s a feminine form of “Patrick” or “Patricius.”

Rosa

• Origin: Mexican, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish

• Meaning: Rose or red as a rose

• Variations or Synonyms: Rose

• Description: It’s a beautiful name for your lovely baby girl.

Cute Mexican Baby Girl Names

Alma

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Latin, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Nourishing

• Variations or Synonyms: Allma and Almah

• Description: It’s from the Latin word “almus” (nourishing) but can also mean “young woman” in Hebrew.

Araceli

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Altar of the sky

• Variations or Synonyms: Aracelli, Arceli, and Aracelle

• Description: It can also mean “heavenly homemaker.”

Bianca

• Origin: Mexican and French

• Meaning: White or fair

• Variations or Synonyms: Blanche

• Description: It’s the Mexican form of “Blanche.”

Josefina

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: God will multiply

• Variations or Synonyms: Josephine

• Description: It’s the Mexican female form of “Joseph.”

Lola

• Origin: Mexican and Spanish

• Meaning: Sorrows

• Variations or Synonyms: Dolores

• Description: Although it sounds like a sorrowful name, it’s taken from one of the Virgin Mary’s religious titles, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows).

Paloma

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Dove

• Variations or Synonyms: Palomah

• Description: It’s from the Latin word “palumba” (pigeon or dove).

Silvia

• Origin: Mexican, Roman, and Latin

• Meaning: Forest or wood

• Variations or Synonyms: Sylvia

• Description: It’s the female form of “Silvius,” an ancient Roman name.

Verónica

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: She who brings victory

• Variations or Synonyms: Veronika

• Description: It also comes from the Latin name “Berenice” (true image).

Victoria

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Victory

• Variations or Synonyms: Viktoria

• Description: It’s the feminine variant of “Victor.”

Yolanda

• Origin: Mexican and French

• Meaning: Violet or a violet flower

• Variations or Synonyms: Yolande

• Description: It comes from the medieval French name “Yolande.”

Mexican Names With English Counterparts

Girls

Adela

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, and Old German

• Meaning: Noble

• Variations or Synonyms: Adele

• Description: It can also mean “serene” or “quiet.”

Angelina

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Angel

• Variations or Synonyms: Angel and Angeline

• Description: It’s a pretty name to pick for your little angel.

Elisa

• Origin: Mexican, Greek, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Devoted to God

• Variations or Synonyms: Elise and Elizabeth

• Description: It’s from the Hebrew name “Elisheva.”

Gabriela

• Origin: Mexican and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is my strength

• Variations or Synonyms: Gabrielle

• Description: It’s the feminine version of “Gabriel.”

Jacinta

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Greek, and Portuguese

• Meaning: Hyacinth (flower name)

• Variations or Synonyms: Hyacinth

• Description: It comes from the Greek word “hyakinthos” (hyacinth).

Boys

Alejandro

• Origin: Mexican, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: Defending men

• Variations or Synonyms: Alexander

• Description: It can also mean “warrior.”

Alfredo

• Origin: Mexican, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese

• Meaning: Elf counsel

• Variations or Synonyms: Alfred

• Description: It can also mean “wise.”

Antonio

• Origin: Mexican, Greek, and Italian

• Meaning: Highly praiseworthy

• Variations or Synonyms: Anthony

• Description: It also comes from the Greek word “anthos” (flower).

Carlos

• Origin: Mexican, Portuguese, German, and Spanish

• Meaning: A free man

• Variations or Synonyms: Charles

• Description: It’s the Hispanic version of “Charles.”

Eduardo

• Origin: Mexican, German, and Old English

• Meaning: Wealthy guardian

• Variations or Synonyms: Edward and Eduard

• Description: It’s from the Old English name “Eadweard” (rich or happy guardian).

Popular Mexican-American Boy Names

Fernando

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German

• Meaning: Brave journey

• Variations or Synonyms: Ferdinand

• Description: It can also mean daring and adventurous.

José Luis

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: He will add or a famous battle

• Variations or Synonyms: Joseph Luis

• Description: It can also mean “respected in fight.”

Julio César

• Origin: Mexican, Roman, and Latin

• Meaning: A person with long hair

• Variations or Synonyms: Julius Cesar

• Description: This brave name traces its origins to the Roman general Julius Caesar.

Logan

• Origin: Mexican, Scottish, and Gaelic (a native language in Scotland)

• Meaning: Little hollow

• Variations or Synonyms: Logen and Logon

• Description: It’s from the Gaelic word “lagan” or “lag” (hollow).

Marcos

• Origin: Mexican, Portuguese, and Spanish

• Meaning: Dedicated to Mars

• Variations or Synonyms: Mark or Markus

• Description: This courageous name has links to Mars, the Roman god of war.

Miguel Ángel

• Origin: Mexican, Italian, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Who is like God’s messenger

• Variations or Synonyms: Michael Angel or Michelangelo

• Description: It’s believed to come from the archangel Michael.

Ricardo

• Origin: Mexican, Old German, Spanish, and Portuguese

• Meaning: Brave king

• Variations or Synonyms: Richard

• Description: It’s from the Proto-Germanic words “rīks” (king or ruler) and “harduz” (hard or brave).

Roberto

• Origin: Mexican and Portuguese

• Meaning: Bright and shining

• Variations or Synonyms: Robert

• Description: It can also mean “famous.”

Santiago

• Origin: Mexican

• Meaning: Supplanter

• Variations or Synonyms: James

• Description: It can also mean “saint.”

Sebastián

• Origin: Mexican and Latin

• Meaning: Venerable or revered

• Variations or Synonyms: Sebastien

• Description: It comes from the Latin name “Sebastianus.”

References

(1) https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/mexican-culture/mexican-culture-core-concepts

(2) https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/mexican-culture/mexican-culture-naming

(3) https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/mexican-culture/mexican-culture-religion

(4) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-Xavier