Día de Los Muertos and Día de Muertos are two names for the same holiday that’s widely celebrated in Mexico. In English, you’ll commonly hear it referred to as the Day of the Dead. The multi-day celebration involves family and friends meeting to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and helping sustain their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is seen as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awaken and rejoice with them
Before Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually, it was associated with October 31, November 1, and November 2 to coincide with the Western Christian Allhallowtide (All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day). Today, it’s a mix of indigenous and Catholic traditions and a unifying national holiday for the people of Mexico. We decided to honor this holiday with a list of baby names for boys inspired by Mexican saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God.
25. José
Priest of the Diocese of León; Founder of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor, St. José Maria de Yermo Parres. Pope John Paul II canonized the late priest as a saint in 2000 after he had beatified him in Mexico in 1992. José is a wonderful name for baby boys that means “God will increase.”
24. Rafael
St. Rafael Guízar Valencia, Bishop of Veracruz, was canonized in 2006. Guizar’s body was exhumed in 1950, twelve years after his death, and witnesses have said it had not decayed. Rafael is a completely charming name that means “God heals.”
23. Diego
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (Juan Diego) was native of Mexico, is the first Catholic indigenous saint from the Americas. He is said to have been granted an apparition of the Virgin Mary on four occasions which became known as the Guadalupe event (el acontecimiento Guadalupano). Diego means “St James” and “may God protect” and “holder of the heel.”
22. Jenaro
St. Jenaro Sánchez y Delgadillo focused the majority of his ministry on caring for the sick and teaching the catechism to the children of the parish. He was executed by the Mexican military during the Cristero War in 1927. He was canonized in 2000 by John Paul II. Jenaro is a variation of Janus and means “gateway.”
21. Pedro
St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero was a Mexican diocesan priest who became the first canonized saint and martyr from Chihuahua City, Mexico. In the Cristero War, he was beaten several times (even inside his church) before finally being beaten to death. Following a struggle, he passed away from his injuries. Pedro is the Spanish form of Peter that means “stone.”
20. Toribio
Toribio Romo González, known as Saint Toribio Romo carried out his ministry in Jalisco. He is yet another martyr of the Cristero War. Toribio has Latin roots and refers to St. Turibius of Astorga, a 5th-century bishop who championed Catholic doctrine against the Priscillianist heresy.
19. Cristóbal
Today, Mexico accounts for more saints and Blesseds than any other country in the Western Hemisphere. This is due, in part, to the number of martyrs of the Cristero War. St. Cristóbal Magallanes Jara, also known as Christopher Magallanes was accused of starting a Cristero rebellion, even though he had preached against violence. Cristóbal is the handsome Spanish form of Christopher a name that means “bearing Christ.”
18. Miguel
Father Miguel de la Mora of Colima (Miguel de la Mora) was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2140. Along with several other priests, he publicly signed a letter opposing the anti-religious laws imposed by the government. Miguel is a strong name that means “who is like God.”
17. Agustín
Venerable Agustín Ramírez Barba was the Priest of the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos; Founder of the Servants of the Lord of Mercy. He was declared venerable in 2015. Agustín is a fantastic name that dates back to the Ancient Romans. The name means “majestic.”
16. Antonio
Servant of God Antonio Hernández Gallegos was named bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tabasco, Mexico in 1967 and died in 1973 while still in office. Antonio is the Spanish form of Antonius and means “priceless one.”
15. Martín
Martín de Valencia is a candidate for sainthood. He was a 16th-century, Franciscan missionary that traveled to Spain and became the leader of the Twelve Apostles of Mexico, the first group of mendicants in New Spain. Martín is a Spanish name with Roman origins which means “martial.”
14. Carlos
Servant of God Carlos Rosado Contraros was born in 1926 and became the Priest of the Archdiocese of Yucatán. The name Carlos is one of the most beloved around the world and means “free man.”
13. Román
St. Román Adame Rosales was a Priest of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara. He perished during the Cristero War. Román is the Spanish form of a Latin name that means “of Rome.”
12. Luis
St. Luis Batis Sáinz was the Priest of the Diocese of Durango. He also died during the Cristero War. This Spanish name means “famous warrior.”
11. Rodrigo
St. Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán used poetry and prose to teach his seminary students. Then, the Cristero War broke out. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, he took refuge at the Colegio de San Ignacio in Ejutla, where he continued to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments. Rather than escape when soldiers arrived, Father Aguilar Alemán remained at the seminary to burn the list of seminary students, and thus protect them from being known. Rodrigo is a name that means “famous ruler.”
10. Atilano
St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado is another priest who suffered a terrible fate during the Cristero War. He was taken from his home parish to Cuquío where his injured body was dragged through the square until he died. Atilano is a Spanish name that means “He who walks with difficulty.”
9. Salvador
St. Salvador Lara Puente was a Young Layperson of the Diocese of Durango who was murdered at the tender age of 21 during the Cristero War. Salvador has Catalan and Spanish origins and means “savior.”
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8. Julio
St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza was a Priest of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara. Julio is a fun Spanish name that means “youthful.”
7. Mateo
Saint Mateo Correa Magallanes is yet another remembered for his martyrdom. Imprisoned during the Cristero War, the priest was asked to hear confessions from fellow imprisoned priests. After hearing the confessions, his captors tried to get Fr. Correa to relay what he heard. He refused and was shot to death for it. Mateo is a Spanish name that means “gift of Yahweh.”
6. Justino
St. Justino Orona Madrigal was murdered alongside St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado after they both created a parish from a ranch home called “Las Cruces.” Justino is a Spanish name that means “righteous.”
5. Margarito
St. Margarito Flores García was Priest of the Diocese of Chilpancingo. He died during the Cristero War. However, his beautiful name and legacy live on today. Margarito is a rare find, a name that’s a masculine form of a feminine one. Margarito is a form of Margarita and means “pearl.”
4. Bernardo
Servant of God Bernardo de Cisneros was one of the Martyrs of Tepehuanes of 1616. He was a Professed Priest of the Jesuits. Bernardo is a Spanish name that means “bold as a bear.”
3.
Servant of God Federico de Aguinaga López is in the process of beatification. Most devoted to the Virgin Mary, he fostered Marian practice, mainly through his example of recollection and prayer, always obedient to the instructions of the directors of the Congregation: Fr. Manuel Diéguez and Fr. Ildefonso Águila. Federico is a Spanish name that means “peaceful ruler.”
2. Saturnino
Servant of God Saturnino García Lara was the Priest of the Archdiocese of Morelia. Fr. Saturnino was a simple counselor who helped children and young people to discover their vocation as priests. Saturnino is the most spectacular name that means “Saturn.”
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1. Santiago
While not a Mexican Saint, St. James is the patron saint of Spain, and his veneration in Mexico began with the Spanish colonizers. From that time forward, his cult in Mexico has only grown stronger. Santiago is a Spanish name that means “St. James.”
There you go! 25 beautiful names for boys inspired by Mexican Saints. We hope you enjoyed this list and feel inspired by these names and the stories behind them.