Guide to Spanish Names and Nicknames

Spanish culture, names and nicknames

Guide to Spanish Names and Nicknames

Have you ever been curious about traditional, common names or nicknames used in the Spanish language? Explore Spanish male and female names, their English equivalents, common nicknames, where they are especially popular in Spain, fun facts and short etymology notes.

? How to use this guide

Browse the tables to compare Spanish names with English equivalents and nicknames. Use the search box to find a name, nickname, province, fun fact or etymology quickly.

ES What this page includes

This guide keeps the important original page information: Spanish names, English equivalents, nicknames, where each name is most popular in Spain, fun facts and a source note for INE data.

Search by Spanish name, English equivalent, nickname, province, fun fact or etymology.

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M Spanish Male Names and Nicknames

Spanish English Nickname Where in Spain is it most popular? Fun facts Etymology
AndrésAndrewAndiJaénSpain – 86th most popular male baby name in 2022From Greek andreios, meaning “manly” or “masculine”.
AlbertoAlbertBeto, BertoValladolidSpain – 79th most popular male baby name in 2022From Germanic elements meaning “noble” and “bright” or “famous”.
AlfredoAlfredFrediSoria—From Old English elements meaning “elf” and “counsel”.
AntonioAnthonyToni, ToñoCórdobaSpain – 27th most popular male baby name in 2022From the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain origin.
ArturoArthur—Ourense—Often linked to Celtic roots connected with “bear”, though the origin is debated.
CarlosCharlesCarlitosHuescaSpain – 35th most popular male baby name in 2022From a Germanic name meaning “free man”.
DanielDanielDaniGuadalajaraSpain – 9th most popular male baby name in 2022From Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning “God is my judge”.
DavidDavid—GuadalajaraSpain – 18th most popular male baby name in 2022From Hebrew Dawid, traditionally interpreted as “beloved”.
EduardoEdwardEdu, LaloPalencia—From Old English elements meaning “wealth” or “fortune” and “guardian”.
FranciscoFrancisPacoCórdobaSpain – 48th most popular male baby name in 2022From Latin Franciscus, meaning “Frenchman” or “Frank”.
GuillermoWilliamGuilleValladolidSpain – 47th most popular male baby name in 2022From Germanic elements meaning “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection”.
EnriqueHenryQuiqueValència—From Germanic elements meaning “home” and “ruler”.
LuisLouisLuchoLugoLuis Muñoz Marín was Puerto Rico’s first democratically elected governor. Spain – 62nd most popular male baby name in 2022From Germanic elements meaning “famous” and “battle”.
MartínMartin—A CoruñaSpain – Most popular male baby name in 2022From Latin Martinus, meaning “of Mars”, the Roman god of war.
MiguelMichaelMigueIlles BalearsSpain – 25th most popular male baby name in 2022From Hebrew Mikha’el, meaning “Who is like God?”
ÓscarOscar—Palencia—Often linked to Old Irish elements meaning “deer” and “friend”.
PabloPaulPablitoPontevedraSpain – 8th most popular male baby name in 2022From Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble”.
PedroPeterPedritoMurciaSpain – 65th most popular male baby name in 2022From Greek Petros, meaning “stone” or “rock”.
RicardoRichard—Burgos—From Germanic elements meaning “powerful” and “brave” or “strong”.
RobertoRobertBeto, RóberBurgos—From Germanic elements meaning “fame” and “bright”.
JaimeJamesJaimitoIlles BalearsSpain – 43rd most popular male baby name in 2022Ultimately from Hebrew Ya‘aqov, the source of Jacob and James.
TomásThomasTomiZamora—From Aramaic ta’oma, meaning “twin”.
JuanJohn—JaénSpain – 32nd most popular male baby name in 2022From Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious”.
JorgeGeorgeCoqueZaragozaSpain – 42nd most popular male baby name in 2022From Greek Georgios, meaning “farmer” or “earth-worker”.
JoséJosephPepeLugoSpain – 36th most popular male baby name in 2022From Hebrew Yosef, meaning “he will add”.

F Spanish Female Names and Nicknames

Spanish English Nickname Where in Spain is it most popular? Fun facts Etymology
AlejandraAlexandraAleCádizSpain – 30th most popular female baby name in 2022From Greek Alexandros, meaning “defender of men”.
AliciaAliceAliSegoviaSpain – 51st most popular female baby name in 2022From a Germanic name related to Adalheidis, meaning “noble kind”.
AnaAnneAni, AnitaJaénSpain – 26th most popular female baby name in 2022From Hebrew Hannah, meaning “grace” or “favour”.
AntoniaToniToñi, Anto, AntoñitaCórdoba—From the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain origin.
BeatrizBeatriceBea, BetiValladolid—From Latin Beatrix, meaning “she who brings happiness” or “blessed”.
CarmenCarmenCarmela, Carmencita, MamenCórdobaSpain – 14th most popular female baby name in 2022Often linked to Latin carmen, meaning “song”, or to Mount Carmel traditions.
CarolinaCarolineCaro, CarolToledoSpain – 97th most popular female baby name in 2022Feminine form related to Carlos, from a Germanic root meaning “free man”.
CatalinaCatherineCata, CatiIlles BalearsSpain – 92nd most popular female baby name in 2022From Greek Aikaterine; later associated with katharos, meaning “pure”.
CristinaChristineCrisValladolid—From Latin and Greek roots connected with Christos, meaning “anointed”.
DanielaDanielleDaniCádizSpain – 10th most popular female baby name in 2022From Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning “God is my judge”.
DoloresDeloresLola, Loli, Loles, LolitaSevillaSpain – Lola is the 16th most popular female baby name in 2022From Spanish dolores, meaning “pains” or “sorrows”.
FranciscaFrancesPaca, PaquiJaén—From Latin Franciscus, meaning “French” or “Frankish”.
ElenaHelenElenita, NenaSegoviaSpain – 39th most popular female baby name in 2022From Greek Helene; often associated with light or brightness.
IsabelElizabethIsa, ChabelaJaénSpain – 59th most popular female baby name in 2022From Hebrew Elisheva, meaning “my God is an oath”.
LauraLauraLauri, LaliValladolidSpain – 56th most popular female baby name in 2022From Latin laurus, meaning “laurel”.
LuisaLouiseLuchaJaén—From Germanic elements meaning “famous” and “battle”.
MaríaMaryMariJaénSpain – 5th most popular female baby name in 2022From Hebrew Miryam; the exact meaning is debated.
MartaMarthaMartitaBarcelonaSpain – 43rd most popular female baby name in 2022From Aramaic, meaning “lady” or “mistress”.
PaulaPaula—PontevedraSpain – 7th most popular female baby name in 2022From Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble”.
RobertaRobertaBertaSanta Cruz de Tenerife—From Germanic elements meaning “fame” and “bright”.
RosaRoseRosi, RositaOurense—From Latin rosa, meaning “rose”.
TeresaTheresaTere, TeresitaLleida—Origin uncertain; often linked to Greek place-name traditions.
VioletaViolet—HuescaSpain – 90th most popular female baby name in 2022From Latin viola, meaning “violet flower”.
JuanaJoan/JaneJuani, JuanitaJaén—From Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious”.
JosefaJosephinePepa, PepiMurcia—From Hebrew Yosef, meaning “he will add”.
Source note: Information for “Where in Spain is it most popular?” and “Fun Facts” is taken from the INE, Instituto Nacional de Estadística.

✧ Spanish name and nickname patterns to notice

Diminutives Many Spanish nicknames use affectionate endings such as -ito and -ita: Carlitos, Pablito, Pedrito, Jaimito, Juanita and Martita.
Unexpected nicknames Some nicknames are not obvious from English: Francisco can become Paco, José can become Pepe and Dolores can become Lola.
Regional popularity The original page includes “Where in Spain?” data, including places such as Jaén, Córdoba, Valladolid, Cádiz and Pontevedra.
Name families Some pairs are easy to spot: Antonio / Antonia, Francisco / Francisca, Juan / Juana and José / Josefa.

◎ Quick facts

50
50 names25 Spanish male names and 25 Spanish female names.
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Searchable listFind names, nicknames, places, fun facts and etymology notes instantly.
INE
Original data preservedThe “Where in Spain?” and “Fun Facts” information is kept from the original page.

? Spanish names and nicknames FAQ

What does this Spanish names page include?

It includes Spanish male and female names, English equivalents, nicknames, where each name is especially popular in Spain, fun facts and short etymology notes.

Why are Spanish nicknames sometimes very different from the full name?

Spanish nicknames may come from older forms, affectionate speech, religious traditions or repeated sounds. This is why names such as Francisco, José and Dolores can have nicknames such as Paco, Pepe and Lola.

Where does the “Where in Spain?” information come from?

The original page states that the “Where in Spain is it most popular?” and “Fun Facts” information is taken from the INE, Instituto Nacional de Estadística.