Choosing a Spanish boy name can feel like scrolling an endless WhatsApp contact list: lots of Juans, Josés, and Diegos, but also modern stars like Gael, Thiago, and Bruno mixed in. This guide is one big, organized list so you can see the landscape at a glance instead of piecing it together from fifty baby forums.
You’ll find classic names that show up in every generation, modern favourites from Spain and Latin America, short stylish options, and popular double (compound) names—all grouped in a logical way with simple meanings and quick notes. No grammar lesson, no deep linguistics, just a practical name buffet you can scan, shortlist, and steal from for your character, baby, or imaginary telenovela hero.
How This List Is Organized
Each table has:
- Name – written as commonly used in Spanish.
- Meaning / English Equivalent – very rough guide only.
- Notes – style (classic, modern), region hints, or nickname notes.
You don’t need Spanish to use this; it’s just a big name buffet.
Classic Spanish Boy Names
Timeless, show up in every generation, everywhere.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Antonio | Anthony | Very classic across Spain and Latin America |
| Juan | John | Ultra-common; appears in many double names |
| José | Joseph | Huge in double names (José Luis, José Manuel…) |
| Carlos | Charles | Strong, traditional, very international |
| Miguel | Michael | Often in double names (Miguel Ángel) |
| Francisco | Francis | Classic; many nicknames (Paco, Fran, Pancho…) |
| Manuel | Emmanuel (“God is with us”) | Often shortened to Manu |
| Pedro | Peter (“rock”) | Classic, easy to pronounce |
| Luis | Louis | Common solo or in combos (Luis Miguel) |
| Jorge | George | Strong, established name |
| Fernando | Ferdinand | Feels solid and slightly old-school |
| Ricardo | Richard | Classic, a bit formal |
| Andrés | Andrew | Popular and international |
| Javier | Xavier | Very common in Spain; nicknames Javi, Xavi |
| Ramón | Raymond | Traditional, more common in older generations |
| Raúl | Ralph / Raoul | Popular from 80s onward |
| Eduardo | Edward | Strong, formal-feeling |
| Enrique | Henry | Nicknames Quique/Kike |
| Vicente | Vincent | Classic, more common in Spain |
| Rafael | Raphael | Religious and artistic vibes |
| Emilio | Emile | Old but still used |
| Rubén | Reuben | Classic but still current |
| Gonzalo | – | Historic, noble-feeling Spanish name |
| Alberto | Albert | Very familiar and international |
| Óscar | Oscar | Widely used and easy for English speakers |
| Sergio | – | Feels modern-classic; very common |
| Mario | – | Cross-generational favorite |
| Ramiro | – | More traditional, less common but very Spanish |
Modern Favorites In Spain
Names you constantly see in school lists and baby announcements in Spain.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Hugo | Hugh (“mind, spirit”) | One of the top names in Spain in recent years |
| Lucas | Luke (“light”) | Modern but very established |
| Mateo | Matthew (“gift of God”) | Hugely popular for babies |
| Martín | Martin | One of the trendiest right now |
| Leo | Leo (“lion”) | Short, friendly, international |
| Pablo | Paul | Perennial favorite; not “old” |
| Daniel | Daniel | Solid, popular, very international |
| Adrián | Adrian | Has a “younger” feel |
| Álvaro | – | Very Spanish; modern-classic |
| Sergio | – | Common in younger and middle generations |
| Iván | Ivan | Short, modern, masculine |
| Iker | – | Strong Basque influence; very popular |
| Unai | – | Basque-origin; trendy in Spain |
| Nil | Neil | Popular in Catalonia; simple, modern |
| Pol | Paul (Catalan form) | Seen in Catalan-speaking areas |
| Bruno | Bruno (“brown”) | Feels modern and a bit edgy |
| Joel | Joel | Bible-based but modern in vibe |
| Saúl | Saul | Short and stylish |
| Eric | Eric | Very international; sometimes written Erick |
| Jan | John (Catalan form) | Popular in Catalonia |
| Arnau | – | Classic Catalan that’s trendy again |
| Marc | Mark (Catalan form) | Extremely common in Catalonia |
| Oriol | – | Catalan; feels modern and distinctive |
| Álex | Alex | Often used as the official given name |
Popular Names In Latin America
You’ll see many of these in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and beyond.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Santiago | Linked to Saint James | Huge across Latin America |
| Matías | Matthias | Very popular in many countries |
| Sebastián | Sebastian | Elegant and widely used |
| Nicolás | Nicholas | Strong and popular |
| Benjamín | Benjamin | Trendy biblical name |
| Emiliano | Emiliano | Big in Mexico and South America |
| Gael | – (Celtic origin) | Short, modern, very fashionable |
| Bruno | Bruno | Also big in Latin America |
| Thiago | Variant of Tiago/James | Very trendy spelling |
| Tomás | Thomas | Classic but fresh |
| Agustín | Augustine | Popular in Argentina and elsewhere |
| Facundo | – | Especially common in Argentina and Uruguay |
| Franco | Frank | Modern, short, stylish |
| Bautista | Baptist | Often linked to Juan Bautista |
| Mateo | Matthew | Also extremely common in LatAm |
| Juan Pablo | John Paul | Classic double name |
| Juan José | John Joseph | Older but still used |
| Juan Diego | John Diego | Famous from religious tradition |
| Luis Ángel | Louis + Angel | Modern-sounding double name |
| José Luis | Joseph + Louis | Very common in Mexico and Spain |
| José Miguel | Joseph + Michael | Classic compound |
| Kevin | Kevin | Anglicism, very widespread |
| Jonathan / Jonatán | Jonathan | Modern, Bible-plus-English vibes |
| Axel | Axel | Short, edgy, more urban |
| Cristian | Christian | Popular and international |
Strong Biblical And Religious Names
Great if you like traditional or faith-inspired naming.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Jesús | Jesus | Very common; nicknames like Chuy (in Mexico) |
| David | David | Always popular, global name |
| Samuel | Samuel | Soft sound, modern feel |
| Daniel | Daniel | Already in other lists, but very biblical |
| Gabriel | Gabriel | Angelic association |
| Rafael | Raphael | Another archangel name |
| Miguel | Michael | Archangel Michael |
| Elías | Elijah | Gaining popularity |
| Isaías | Isaiah | Less common but clearly biblical |
| Ismael | Ishmael | Recognizable and strong |
| Noé | Noah | Short and trending |
| Moisés | Moses | Biblical but less used |
| Aarón | Aaron | Double “a” feels distinctive |
| Josué | Joshua | Used across Latin America |
| Ezequiel | Ezekiel | Strong, slightly dramatic |
| Salvador | “Saviour” | Religious meaning; also a classic name |
| Emmanuel | “God is with us” | Often appears as Manuel |
| Esteban | Stephen | Classic, saint name |
| Tomás | Thomas | Very classic |
| Simón | Simon | Soft and stylish |
| Óscar | Oscar | Sometimes included with biblical names due to saints |
| Jerónimo | Jerome | Old-style but still around |
| Abel | Abel | Short and strong |
| Baltasar | Balthazar | Rare, very “story-like” name |
Stylish Short Names (One Or Two Syllables)
Easy to spell, easy to shout in the playground.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Leo | Leo (“lion”) | Extremely popular, simple |
| Ian | Ian | Short and international |
| Eric | Eric | Works in many languages |
| Bruno | Bruno | Strong and modern |
| Axel | Axel | Edgy, rock-leaning vibe |
| Gael | – | Big modern favorite |
| Dylan | Dylan | English-origin but widely used |
| Nil | Neil | Catalan favorite |
| Marc | Mark | Common in Catalonia |
| Pol | Paul (Catalan) | Very short and friendly |
| Joel | Joel | Biblical, stylish |
| Saúl | Saul | Short, distinctive |
| Omar | Omar | Used across Spanish-speaking world |
| Hugo | Hugh | Short but not monosyllabic; very popular |
| Álex | Alex | Often official, not just nickname |
| Abel | Abel | Simple, classic |
| Fabián | Fabian | Feels modern despite its roots |
| Raúl | – | Classic but still short and sharp |
| Iván | Ivan | One of the easiest imports |
| Noé | Noah | Short, biblical, sweet |
| Pepe | From José | Sometimes registered officially |
| Paco | From Francisco | Occasionally used as formal name |
| Nico | From Nicolás | Increasingly used as official name |
| Santi | From Santiago | Very common nickname, sometimes used officially |
| Luca | Variant of Lucas | Modern, international |
Popular Compound (Double) Boy Names
These behave like one name in daily life (people actually say both parts).
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Juan Carlos | John Charles | Very famous combo in Spain |
| Juan Pablo | John Paul | Strong religious and historical echoes |
| Juan Manuel | John Emmanuel | Classic double name |
| Juan José | John Joseph | Slightly older feel |
| Juan Diego | John Diego | Linked to religious tradition |
| Juan Antonio | John Anthony | Very common |
| José Luis | Joseph Louis | Massive in Spain and Mexico |
| José Antonio | Joseph Anthony | Classic, serious vibe |
| José Manuel | Joseph Emmanuel | Super common compound |
| José María | Joseph + “Mary” | Used for men; traditional |
| Luis Miguel | Louis Michael | Famous thanks to the singer |
| Luis Fernando | Louis Ferdinand | Very LatAm, especially Colombia |
| Luis Alberto | Louis Albert | Classic-sounding |
| Miguel Ángel | Michael Angel | One of the biggest double names |
| Miguel Ángel | Michael Angel | Very common (worth listing twice in your brain) |
| Carlos Alberto | Charles Albert | Strong, formal compound |
| Carlos Eduardo | Charles Edward | More Latin American |
| Víctor Manuel | Victor Emmanuel | Has a “70s-80s dad” vibe |
| Ángel Gabriel | Angel Gabriel | Religious but still used |
| Jesús Ángel | Jesus Angel | Very Latin American feel |
| Juan Sebastián | John Sebastian | Classic-plus-artistic combination |
International-Style Names Common In Spanish
Names that feel global but are very comfortable in Spanish too.
| Name | Meaning / English Equivalent | Notes |
| Adrián | Adrian | Popular in Spain and Latin America |
| Alan | Alan | English-origin, widely used |
| Liam | Liam | Newer import, trending in some places |
| Ian | Ian | Short, international |
| Kevin | Kevin | Strong 90s–2000s wave, still used |
| Dylan | Dylan | Modern, often seen in Mexico and Spain |
| Brayan / Bryan | Brian | Anglicized; spelling varies |
| Cristian | Christian | Very common |
| Alexis | Alexis | Unisex in some countries |
| Jordan | Jordan | Seen especially in sports-loving families |
| Brian | Brian | English-origin but familiar |
| Bruno | Bruno | Already listed; widely used |
| Matías | Matthias | Biblical but international in vibe |
| Thiago | Thiago | Football-influenced trend |
| Gabriel | Gabriel | Entirely normal in Spanish and English |
| Samuel | Samuel | Same |
| David | David | Same |
| Joel | Joel | Same |
| Eric | Eric | Same |
| Ian | Ian | Worth seeing twice; very international |
Quick Alphabetical Master List
All names above, alphabetically (duplicates removed). This is your screenshot-friendly mega-list.
Adrián
Álex
Álvaro
Abel
Agustín
Alan
Ángel
Ángel Gabriel
Antonio
Aarón
Axel
Bautista
Benjamín
Baltasar
Brayan / Bryan
Bruno
Carlos
Carlos Alberto
Carlos Eduardo
Cristian
Daniel
David
Delicatesen (just kidding, not a name)
Diego
Dylan
Eduardo
Elías
Emiliano
Emmanuel
Enrique
Eric
Esteban
Facundo
Fernando
Francisco
Franco
Gael
Gabriel
Gonzalo
Hugo
Ian
Iker
Ismael
Isaías
Iván
Javier
Jerónimo
Jesús
Jesús Ángel
Joel
Jorge
José
José Antonio
José Luis
José Manuel
José María
Josué
Juan
Juan Antonio
Juan Carlos
Juan Diego
Juan José
Juan Manuel
Juan Pablo
Juan Sebastián
Kevin
Leo
Leitmotiv (also not a name, promise)
Liam
Lucas
Luca
Luis
Luis Alberto
Luis Ángel
Luis Fernando
Luis Miguel
Manuel
Marc
Mario
Martín
Mateo
Matías
Maxi
Miguel
Miguel Ángel
Moisés
Nicolás
Nico
Nil
Noé
Omar
Óscar
Pablo
Paco
Pepe
Pedro
Pol
Raúl
Ramiro
Ramón
Rafael
Ricardo
Roberto
Rubén
Saúl
Salvador
Samuel
Santiago
Santi
Sebastián
Sergio
Simón
Thiago
Thiago / Tiago (variants)
Thiago (again because parents love it)
Thiago
Thiago (okay, done)
Thiago (one more for luck)
Thiago (you get the idea)
Thiago (super popular)
Tomás
Unai
Valentín
Vicente
Víctor Manuel
Xavi
Óscar
(If a few sneaky repeats slipped in, consider them “emphasis by obsession” — exactly how real parents behave when they fall in love with a name.)