🇪🇸 Spain
1,003
Total names
541
Male names
462
Female names
Spain is the cultural heart of the Spanish-speaking world and one of the most welcoming European countries for baby naming. The 2011 reform of the Civil Registry Act removed almost every old restriction. Parents may use Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician, Latin, or any other language's name as long as it does not harm the child.
A growing trend among Spanish parents is the return to classical Roman and Latin names — Lucía, Marco, Aurora, Valentina, Diana — which carry both Roman heritage and Christian saint tradition. Read our complete guide to Roman & Latin baby names for the legal status of every classical name.
Famous Spanish names from history include Isabel (Queen Isabella I of Castile), Cervantes (Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote), and modern figures like Penélope Cruz — whose name itself is a Greek mythology classic that crossed over to Spain centuries ago.
Naming Rules
Must not harm the child
Names that are objectively harmful to the child's interests are prohibited. Offensive or humiliating names will be rejected.
No surnames as first names
You cannot use a surname as a first name unless it has an established tradition as both.
Maximum of two simple names or one compound name
Spanish law limits children to two simple first names or one compound name (e.g., Maria Carmen).
No names that create gender confusion
The name should generally correspond to the child's sex, though enforcement has relaxed.
Legal basis: Ley del Registro Civil (Civil Registry Law) and Real Decreto 1917/1986.
Authority: Registro Civil
Popular Names in Spain
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Hugo
2.Mateo
3.Martin
4.Lucas
5.Leo
6.Daniel
7.Alejandro
8.Manuel
9.Pablo
10.Alvaro
11.Adrian
12.Enzo
13.Mario
14.Diego
15.Oliver
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Lucia
2.Sofia
3.Maria
4.Martina
5.Julia
6.Paula
7.Valeria
8.Emma
9.Daniela
10.Alma
11.Olivia
12.Vega
13.Carmen
14.Laia
15.Alba
Check a specific baby name in Spain
50 of the most popular European baby names with full legal-status pages for Spain. Click any name to see its meaning, Spain spelling, registration process, and FAQ.
Further reading
Check a name in Spain
Search 1,003 names in our Spain database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Registro Civil for definitive answers.