Latin America encompasses countries in the Western Hemisphere where Romance languages like Spanish, Portuguese, and French are spoken. Latin America is vast and consists of 20 countries and 14 territories that stretch from Mexico to Tierra del Feugo, the southernmost tip of South America. It also contains most of the Caribbean. In total, the estimated population of Latin America is a whopping 650 million people! That’s a lot of people, a lot of languages, and cultures. There’s so much baby name inspiration to be drawn from this rich area.
Baby names for girls are notoriously hard to settle on. We decided to take a look at Latin America for inspiration. Incredible names for girls are not hard to come by there. Here are 25 lovely Latin American baby names for girls that are muy especiales.
25. Heloísa
The Portuguese name Heloísa is only in the top 1000 for baby names in Brazil. There, the name was 8th in popularity for little girls in 2018. The name Heloísa comes from Old High German and means “healthy forest.”
24. Manuela
In Brazil, Uruguay, and Mexico, Manuela is a favored name for girls. The name has Spanish and Italian origins and comes from Hebrew. It means “God is with us.” A beautiful meaning for this attractive name.
23. Rosa María
In Mexico, the name Rosa María is a popular pairing. While both Rosa and María work splendidly on their own, they do fit together very well. Similar to Rosemary, this name just has a flow to it. In Mexico, this name has enjoyed favor for many years and it currently ranks in the top 50.
22. Josefina
Josefina is a Biblical name with Hebrew origins which means “may God give another son.” A popular nickname for Josefina is Chepina. Josefina ranks in the top 50 in Chile, Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay.
21. Elena
Elena is the Spanish and Italian form of Helen, of Greek mythology fame. Elena means “torch” and is a very common name in Mexico. In Brazil, they prefer to spell it, Helena. The name enjoys broad appeal outside of Latin America and in the US it ranks in the top 100.
20. Valentina
Valentina is one of the most beautiful names. In Puerto Rico, it was the most popular name for girls born in 2018. The name has Latin origins and means “the healthy.” Valentina is also one of the most delicious brands of Mexican hot sauce you’ll ever try.
19. Luiza
Brazilians prefer the Portuguese name Luiza which is a variant of Louise and comes from Old High German. The name means “famous battle.” The name has been in or very close to the top 10 in Brazil for a decade, at least.
18. Lucía
Close to Luiza, but with a different root, Lucía is a Spanish name that comes from the Latin word lux which means “light.” This name enjoys favor in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico where it lands in the top 50 in each country.
17. Isabella
Isabella is a popular name around the world but it is highly concentrated in Latin America. It’s the most popular name for girls in Argentina. In Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico it is in the top 10. In Mexico and Uruguay, it is in the top 50. The name means “God is my gift.”
16. Ximena
Ximena can be spelled with an “X” or like Jimena. The Spanish name is of unknown origin but it was famously the name of Ximena Diaz who was the wife of the Spanish national hero known as El Cid. Ximena was the most popular name for girls born in Mexico in 2016.
15. Estefanía
Estefanía is a beautiful Spanish name that means “crowned.” The name is particularly well-loved in Mexico where it is more popular than in Spain.
14. Pérola
Pérola is the Portuguese form of Pearl. It made its way into the top 100 names for girls in Brazil in 2018. It does not make any other Latin American country’s top 1000 but we hope that changes soon. It’s a stunner.
13. Nadège
Nadège is a French name that is also used in Russia and means “hope.” In Haiti, Nadège is one of the most beloved names for girls. The name was once popular in France but has fallen out of fashion. It’s gorgeous and easy to see why so many Haitian parents choose it.
12. Eloá
Eloá was the 15th most popular name given to girls in Brazil in 2018. It’s the only country in Latin America where it ranks in the top 1000. Eloá is a Portuguese name with likely Hebrew origins which means “the living God.”
11. Concepción
Concepción is a popular Spanish name for girls in Mexico and Paraguay and the name of a city in Chile. The name refers to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Popular alternatives and nicknames for Concepción include Concetta, Concha, and Conchita.
10. Renata
The name Renata is found in many languages and its root is Latin and refers to being born again through baptism. Renata is most popular in Mexico followed by Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
9. Catalina
Catalina is a Spanish name that comes from Old Greek katharos. It means “pure.” Catalina is more popular in Latin America than it is in Europe with it landing in the top 50 in Argentina (where it is most popular in 2nd place), Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.
8. Mariana
Mariana is a popular name across Latin America that has Hebrew and Latin origins. The name means “bitter.” However, the sweet-sounding name will have you questioning that. It was the 5th most popular name for girls in Colombia in 2018.
7. Juana
Juana and the cute, Juanita are very popular names in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. The name has Hebrew roots and means “God is gracious.” In Mexico and Chile, the name has enjoyed immense popularity for decades.
RELATED: 40 Hispanic Baby Names with Beautiful Spanish Origins
6. Teresa
Teresa is a popular name heard around the world. You’ll just hear more of it if you’re in Latin America. Teresa is the Spanish and Italian spelling and it means “to harvest.” In Brazil, you’ll see the name spelled with a “Z” or the diminutive form, Terezhina. Terezhina is the preferred name there with hitting number 12 in 2018.
5. Monserrat
Monserrat has Spanish origins and refers to a mountain in Barcelona with a monastery on top. The name means “jagged mountain.” In Mexico, the name was number 69th in 2016. In Chile, it was 28th that same year. In Spain, the name is more commonly spelled Montserrat which you’ll also see in Latin America. In Colombia, you’ll find the Monserrate Mountain near Bogotá.
4. Lívia
Lívia is a Portuguese name with Latin origins. It means “olive tree.” Outside of Brazil, you won’t find this name in a top 1000 list unless you look to Europe. Lívia this sweet name would surely be welcomed anywhere.
RELATED: 25 Popular Baby Names with Portuguese or Brazilian Origins
3. Beatriz
Beatriz is an extremely popular name in Latin America for both Spanish and Portuguese speakers. The name is most popular in Brazil and Paraguay where you’ll often hear the nickname Bia associated with it.
2. Paulina
Paulina is not a Spanish name, it originated in Germany and comes from a Roman cognomen. The name means “the humble.” Paulina is popular around the world and is found in Germany, Sweden, Poland, and the USA. However, it is most popular in Uruguay, Argentina, and Mexico respectively. The nickname Lina is a very sweet one for a baby girl.
RELATED: 25 Lively Latin American Baby Names for Boys with Tons of Character and Charm
1. Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint and protector of the people of Mexico. The name has origins in both Spanish and Arabic and means “wolf river.” This name is extremely popular in Mexico, of course, but you’ll also hear it in Uruguay and Argentina. In the US, this name has declined in popularity since the 1990s, but we love it every single time we see it. A common nickname is Lupe, and you could not find a better one if you tried.
Latin American baby names for girls are phenomenal options and offer versatility and variety. These beautiful, romantic names are perfect for those who want to honor their heritage or just to celebrate the amazing cultures of Latin America.