Most popular baby names in Spain

If your ancestors come from Spain, you may have a great-grandfather named Antonio, a great-aunt Carmen, or a great-uncle José. These names were among the most popular in Spain in past generations. Traditional Spanish naming practices often honored saints and family members, creating a rich tapestry of historical names that reflect Spain's deep Catholic roots and cultural heritage. Other classic Spanish names like Maria, Juan, and Francisco have remained popular throughout the centuries, though modern Spanish parents now frequently embrace more contemporary or international name choices.

For decades, the three most popular names for boys and girls remained remarkably consistent across Spain. According to comprehensive data from Spain's National Institute of Statistics, María, Carmen (or the combined María Carmen), and Josefa dominated as the most popular names for Spanish girls throughout the first half of the 20th century. From 1900 until 1950, these three traditional names steadfastly occupied the top positions, reflecting Spain's strong Catholic heritage and cultural traditions. For boys during the same period, names like José, Antonio, and Manuel held similar prominence. This naming consistency began to diversify in the latter half of the century as international influences and cultural changes brought new naming trends to Spanish families.

The same trend was observed with boys' names in Spain, where traditional names dominated for decades. José, Antonio, Manuel, and Francisco consistently ranked as the four most popular boys' names throughout much of the 20th century. This remarkable stability reflected Spain's strong cultural traditions and family naming practices. Only in the 1970s did this pattern begin to shift, with newer names gradually appearing on popularity charts as Spanish society modernized and became more internationally influenced. This transition period marked the beginning of greater naming diversity that continues to evolve in contemporary Spain.

Spain has seen interesting trends in baby naming over recent years, with traditional names maintaining popularity alongside more modern choices. For boys, Mateo, Hugo, Martín, Lucas, and Leo have consistently ranked at the top of the lists. For girls, names like Lucía, Sofía, Martina, María, and Julia remain extremely popular across the country. Regional differences are notable, with Catalan names more prevalent in Barcelona and traditional Basque names maintaining popularity in northern regions. The influence of international naming trends has also grown, with names like Oliver and Emma gaining traction among Spanish parents seeking more global options for their children.

Pre-1920 and 1920s: Tried-and-true names

Classic Spanish Names That Stood The Test of Time

In the early 20th century, Spanish parents predominantly chose traditional names with deep religious and historical significance. For boys, José, Antonio, Manuel, and Francisco dominated baptismal records across the country, reflecting Spain's strong Catholic heritage. Girls were commonly named María (often combined with other names like María del Carmen or María Dolores), Carmen, Pilar, and Concepción. Regional variations were common, with Catalonia favoring names like Jordi and Montserrat, while Galicia preferred names such as Xoán and Carme. These traditional naming patterns remained remarkably stable throughout the pre-1920 era and well into the 1920s, with multi-generational families often sharing the same first names, distinguished only by diminutives or second names in everyday use. The practice of naming children after saints, particularly those whose feast days coincided with a child's birth, was especially widespread during this period.

1930s and 1940s: The tradition continues

Traditional Catholic Names During Franco's Early Era

The 1930s and 1940s in Spain saw remarkable consistency in popular baby names, largely influenced by the Spanish Civil War and the early Franco regime. Traditional Catholic names continued to dominate registries across the country. For boys, José, Antonio, Manuel, and Francisco maintained their stronghold at the top of the rankings with minimal position changes year after year. Girls' names showed similar stability, with María (often combined with other names like María Carmen or María Dolores), Carmen, Josefa, and Dolores remaining consistently popular. This period represents a time when naming conventions were deeply tied to religious traditions and family customs, with children frequently named after saints, grandparents, or godparents. The political climate under Franco's early rule further reinforced these traditional naming practices, as the regime promoted strong Catholic values throughout Spanish society.

1950s and 1960s: The double-name twist

Compound Names Gain Popularity in Mid-Century Spain

The post-war era in Spain brought significant changes to naming traditions. While single names like María and José remained extremely popular, compound names surged in popularity during this period. Combinations such as María Carmen, María Dolores, and María Pilar for girls and José Luis, José Manuel, and José Antonio for boys dominated birth registries. This trend reflected both religious devotion and family tradition, with many children being named after saints or relatives. Regional variations also emerged, with compound names like Joan Carles in Catalonia and Xosé Manuel in Galicia gaining prominence. The practice of using these hyphenated or compound names became so widespread that it transformed Spanish naming conventions for generations to come, creating a distinct cultural marker of mid-century Spanish identity.

1970s and 1980s: New names for a new Spain

Modern Naming Trends During Spain's Democratic Transition

The political transition to democracy following Franco's death in 1975 sparked significant cultural changes in Spain, including naming practices. Traditional Spanish names like María, José, and Antonio remained popular, but parents increasingly embraced modern alternatives and international influences. Names like David, Daniel, Laura, and Sandra gained tremendous popularity during this period. Regional names previously suppressed under Franco's regime also experienced a renaissance, with Catalan names like Jordi, Basque names like Aitor and Iker, and Galician names like Anxo becoming more common. Compound names for girls (particularly those beginning with 'María') began declining as single names gained favor. This naming revolution reflected Spain's broader societal transformation—opening to global influences while simultaneously reclaiming regional identities and traditions that had been restricted during the dictatorship.

1990s and the new century

Contemporary Spanish Naming Preferences in the Global Era

The 1990s and early 2000s marked a significant shift in Spanish naming trends, reflecting both globalization and a return to traditional roots. Names like Lucía, María, and Paula dominated female choices, while Daniel, Alejandro, and Pablo became increasingly popular for boys. International influence became evident with names such as Emma, Olivia, and Hugo gaining traction. Regional identity continued to play an important role, with Catalan names like Jordi and Montserrat, Basque names such as Iker and Ainhoa, and Galician names including Antía and Brais remaining popular in their respective regions. By the 2010s, there was a noticeable trend toward shorter, internationally recognizable names, with Lucas, Mateo, Leo, Sofía, and Martina climbing the charts. This era also saw the rise of gender-neutral options and names inspired by popular culture, though Spanish naming laws continue to require that given names do not cause confusion about gender.