165+ of the Best Spanish Middle Names for Boys & Girls

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland shares some of her favorite Spanish middle name ideas

Co-authored by Natalie Mulholland and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

• Popular (Boys)
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• Unique (Boys)
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• Popular (Girls)
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• Unique (Girls)
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• Are there middle names in Spain?

|Show more |Show less

Are you an expectant parent looking for the perfect Spanish middle name for your little one? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We talked to naming expert Natalie Mulholland to help us compile the ultimate list of Spanish middle names for girls and boys, including well-known, popular names and more rare and unique options. Whether you’re looking for a way to honor your Spanish heritage or you just think Spanish names are beautiful, you’re bound to find one you totally love in this extensive list!

Spanish Middle Names: Quick Look

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland suggests Spanish middle names like Natalia, Alma, Gabriella, Daniela, María, and Rosa. Other options include:

• For boys: Alejandro, Bautista, Cristián, Diego, Félix, Guillermo, Javier, León, Mateo, Miguel, Pedro, Rafael, Santiago, Sebastián, Valerio, Xavier, Zacarías
• For girls: Ana, Alondra, Aurelia, Blanca, Camila, Eliana, Esmeralda, Isabella, Josefina, Lucía, Luz, Marisol, Paloma, Sofía, Xiomara

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Popular Spanish Middle Names for Boys

1. 
   Choose a common Spanish name if you want something well-loved. These Spanish names are popular for a reason—people like them a lot, so they get used a lot! This makes them ideal if you’re looking for a middle name that’s sure to be a hit. Here are some of the most frequently used Spanish names to inspire you:

   • Alejandro: “Defending men.”
   • Andrés: “Masculine.”
   • Antonio: “Highly praiseworthy.”
   • Benjamín: “Son of the south” or “son of the right hand.”
   • Bernardo: “Bear” or “brave.”
   • Carlos: “Man.”
   • César: “Long-haired.”
   • Cristián: “Christian.”
   • Daniel: “God is my judge.”
   • Diego: “Teaching.”
   • Domingo: “Of the Lord.”
   • Tristán: “Sad” or “melancholy.”
   • Enrique: “Home ruler.”
   • Felipe: “Friend of horses.”
   • Félix: “Lucky” or “successful.”
   • Guillermo: “Will” or “helmet.”
   • Gustavo: “Staff of the Geats.”
   • Héctor: “Holding fast.”
   • Javier: “New house.”
   • Jesús: “The Lord is salvation.”
   • Joaquín: “Established by God.”
   • Jorge: “Earthworker.”
   • José: “He will add.”
   • Juan: “God is gracious.”
   • León: “Lion.”
   • Lorenzo: “From Laurentum.”
   • Luis: “Famous battle.”
   • Manuel: “God is with us.”
   • Marco: “Of Mars.”
   • Mateo: “Gift of God.”
   • Miguel: “Who is like God?”
   • Nicolás: Victory of the people.”
   • Óscar: “Deer friend.”
   • Pedro: “Stone.”
   • Rafael: “God heals.”
   • Ricardo: “Brave ruler.”
   • Roberto: “Bright fame.”
   • Samuel: “Name of God” or “God has heard.”
   • Santiago: “Saint James.”
   • Sebastián: “Venerable.”
   • Tristán: “Sad” or “melancholy.”
   • Tomás: “Twin.”
   • Xavier: “The new house.”

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert from Athens, Georgia. Since 2023, she’s also been a content creator focused on sharing the origin of names, plus what they mean and interesting people who’ve had that name before.
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Section 2 of 5:

Unique Spanish Middle Names for Boys

1. 
   Opt for something rarer if you want to set your little boy apart. These unique Spanish names are a little less common, which means they’re bound to capture people’s attention. If you pick one of them, your son might be the only kid in his class who has his middle name, and that’s pretty darn cool!

   • Ángel: “Angel.”
   • Augustín: “Exalted” or “venerable.”
   • Basilio: “King.”
   • Bautista: “Baptist.”
   • Camilo: “Attendant at a religious ceremony.”
   • Cayetano: “From Caieta.”
   • Cruz: “Cross.”
   • Donato: “Given.”
   • Emiliano: “Rival.”
   • Esteban: “Crown” or “wealth.”
   • Fabián: “Bean.”
   • Fausto: “Lucky.”
   • Fermín: “Firm.”
   • Francisco: “French man.”
   • Gael: “Father rejoices.”
   • Germán: “Brother.
   • Hernando: “Brave journey.”
   • Josué: “God is salvation.”
   • Justino: “Just.”
   • Ignacio: “St. Ignatius.”
   • Marino: “Of the sea.”
   • Matías: “Gift of God.”
   • Máximo: “Greatest.”
   • Nazario: “From Nazareth.”
   • Néstor: “Homecomer.”
   • Osvaldo: “God” or “power.”
   • Pascual: “Relating to Easter.”
   • Plácido: “Quiet” or “calm.”
   • Ramiro: “Advice” or “famous.”
   • Ramón: “Advice” or “protector.”
   • Raúl: “Wolf counsel.”
   • Reinaldo: “Advice” or “rule.”
   • Rodrigo: “Famous ruler.”
   • Salvador: “Savior.”
   • Silvestre: “Of the forest.
   • Silvio: “Forest.”
   • Tadeo: “Heart.”
   • Valerio: “To be strong.”
   • Vicente: “To conquer.”
   • Vidal: “Of life.”
   • Ximeno: “He has heard.”
   • Zacarías: “God Remembers.”

Section 3 of 5:

Popular Spanish Middle Names for Girls

1. 
   Choose one of these names if you want something popular and beautiful. These names are perfect if you’re looking for something gorgeous and eye-catching, but not too out there or uncommon. They’re popular and well-loved, which means you absolutely can’t go wrong with them!

   • Alejandra: “Defender of mankind.”
   • Alma: “Pure soul.”
   • Alondra: “Lark.”
   • Ana: “Grace” or “favor.”
   • Blanca: “Fair.”
   • Camila: “Helper to the priest.”
   • Carmen: “Strong.”
   • Carolina: “Warrior.”
   • Daniela: “God is my judge.”
   • Elena: “Bright, shining light.”
   • Eliana: “Sun.”
   • Esmeralda: “Emerald.”
   • Esperanza: “Hope.”
   • Fernanda: “Journey” or “brave.”
   • Flor: “Flower.”
   • Gabriela/Gabriella: “God is my strength.”
   • Gloria: “Glory.”
   • Guadalupe: “Wolf valley.”
   • Inés: “Chaste.”
   • Isabella: “My God is an Oath.”
   • Josefina: “God will multiply.”
   • Juana: “God is gracious.”
   • Julia: “Youthful.”
   • Liliana: “Lily.”
   • Lucía: Light.”
   • Luisa: “Famous warrior.”
   • Luna: “Moon.”
   • María: “Star of the sea,” “bitter,” or “beloved.”
   • Mariana: “Of the sea,” “bitter,” or “beloved.”
   • Marisol: “Sea and sun.”
   • Marta: “The lady.”
   • Mía: “Mine.”
   • Natalia: “Birthday”
   • Olivia: “Olive tree.”
   • Paloma: “Dove.”
   • Pilar: “Pillar.”
   • Ramona: “Advice” or “protector.”
   • Reina: “Queen.”
   • Rosa: “Rose.”
   • Sara: “Lady” or “princess.”
   • Sofía: “Wisdom.”
   • Teresa: “Summer” or “to harvest.”
   • Valentina: “Strong” or “healthy.”
   • Valeria: “Strong.”
   • Verónica: “True image.”
   • Yolanda: “Violet.”
   • Xiomara: “Ready for battle.”
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Natalie Mulholland

   Naming Expert

   Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert and content creator based in Athens, Georgia. With a lifelong interest in names, Natalie started creating content around this passion in 2023. She brings a linguistically focused approach to her content, sharing a name’s origin, meaning, category, notable people, and more. She is expecting to receive her bachelor’s degree in human development and family science from the University of Georgia in 2025.

   

   Natalie Mulholland
   Naming Expert

   Middle names often have an “-ella” sound or come from a family name. Traditional names with the “-ella” sound at the end are popular middle names, like Gabriella and Daniela. María and Rosa are common family names, so choosing them as a middle name is a way to tie everyone together.
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Section 4 of 5:

Rare Spanish Middle Names for Girls

1. 
   Pick an uncommon name to give your daughter some star quality. These rare and unique Spanish names are perfect if you want your little girl’s middle name to totally set her apart. Since they’re not used as frequently, they’re sure to make your daughter stand out in the crowd!

   • Abril: “To open.”
   • Adela: “Noble.”
   • Alba: “Dawn.”
   • Amalia: “Work.”
   • Antonia: “Priceless” or “flourishing.”
   • Aurelia: “Golden.”
   • Cielo: “Sky” or “heaven.”
   • Dolores: “Sorrow.”
   • Dominga: “Of the Lord.”
   • Estefanía: “Crown” or “garland.”
   • Estrella: “Star.”
   • Evita: “Life.”
   • Felicidad: “Happiness.”
   • Francisca: “Frenchman.”
   • Itziar: “Old stone.”
   • Julieta: “Youthful.”
   • Leandra: “Lion man.”
   • Leticia: “Joy” or “happiness.”
   • Luz: “Light.”
   • Manuela: “God is with us.”
   • Marcela: “Warlike.”
   • Maribel: “Sea of bitterness” or “beautiful.”
   • Martina: “Of Mars.”
   • Milagros: “Miracles.”
   • Nayeli: “I love you.”
   • Paulina: “Small” or “humble.”
   • Paz: “Peace.”
   • Rafaela: “God heals.”
   • Renata: “Born again.”
   • Rocio: “Dew.”
   • Rosario: “Rosary.”
   • Sol: “Sun.”
   • Vicenta: “To conquer.”
   • Viviana: “Alive.”
   • Ximena: “One who hears.”
   • Yesenia: “Palm tree” or “flower.”
   • Zoraida: “Dawn.”

Section 5 of 5:

Are there middle names in Spain?

1. No, middle names traditionally aren’t given in Spain. At least, not in the same way middle names are given in the U.S. In Spain, a child usually has one or two first names, followed by their mother's surname, then their father’s surname. For example, a baby might be named Isabella Garcia Perez, with “Garcia” being her mother’s last name and “Perez” being her father’s last name.
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