100 Popular and Traditional Mexican Names

Mexican names are a beautiful fusion of history, culture, and language. Influenced by Spanish colonization, Catholicism, and rich Indigenous traditions, these names often carry powerful meanings, religious connections, or natural elements. Many Mexican names are rooted in Spanish, while others trace back to Aztec and Mayan languages. Whether you’re naming a child, writing a character, or simply exploring cultural identity, this list of 100 Mexican names and their meanings offers timeless inspiration and insight.

Popular Mexican Girl Names

María – “Beloved” or “bitter”; often paired with other names

Guadalupe – “Valley of the wolves”; inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe

Ximena – “Listener” or “one who hears”

Camila – “Helper to the priest”

Isabel – “God is my oath”

Fernanda – “Adventurous” or “daring journey”

Sofía – “Wisdom”

Ana – “Grace”

Valeria – “Strong” or “healthy”

Alejandra – “Defender of mankind”

Carla – “Free woman”

Jimena – Variant of Ximena; “listener”

Lucía – “Light”

Natalia – “Born on Christmas Day”

Montserrat – “Jagged mountain”; a religious name

Julieta – “Youthful”

Araceli – “Altar of the sky”

Reyna – “Queen”

Esperanza – “Hope”

Lupita – Diminutive of Guadalupe

Popular Mexican Boy Names

José – “God will increase”; often paired (José Luis, José Ángel)

Juan – “God is gracious”

Luis – “Famous warrior”

Carlos – “Free man”

Diego – “Supplanter”; also linked to St. James

Miguel – “Who is like God?”

Fernando – “Brave traveler”

Eduardo – “Wealthy guardian”

Alejandro – “Protector of mankind”

Andrés – “Manly” or “brave”

Ramón – “Wise protector”

Santiago – “Saint James”; patron saint of Spain and Mexico

Emiliano – “Eager” or “rival”; linked to revolutionary Emiliano Zapata

Ricardo – “Powerful ruler”

Héctor – “Holding fast”; warrior name from Greek myth

Adrián – “Dark one” or “from the Adriatic”

Arturo – “Bear man”; noble and brave

Jesús – “God is salvation”

Abel – “Breath” or “son”

Tomás – “Twin”

Unisex or Gender-Neutral Mexican Names

Ángel – “Angel”; used for boys and girls

Cruz – “Cross”; religious and symbolic

Mar – “Sea”

Luz – “Light”

Sol – “Sun”; bright and nature-based

Paz – “Peace”

Socorro – “Help” or “aid”; a traditional Catholic name

Consuelo – “Comfort”; linked to the Virgin Mary

Cielo – “Sky” or “heaven”

Jesús – While mostly male, it can be a spiritual name across genders

Mexican Names with Aztec or Indigenous Roots

Citlali – “Star” (Nahuatl origin)

Itzel – “Rainbow lady” or “goddess of the moon” (Maya origin)

Tenoch – Aztec ruler name; means “fruit of the prickly pear”

Xóchitl – “Flower” (Nahuatl)

Cuauhtémoc – “Descending eagle”; the last Aztec emperor

Yaretzi – “You will always be loved”

Chicome – “Seven” or linked to fertility goddesses

Metztli – “Moon” (Aztec mythology)

Nayeli – “I love you” (Zapotec)

Tlaloc – Name of the rain god in Aztec belief

Beautiful & Unique Mexican Names

Alondra – “Lark”; sweet and melodic

Estrella – “Star”

Berenice – “Bringer of victory”

Rosalía – “Rose”

Amparo – “Shelter” or “protection”

Jazmín – “Jasmine flower”

Iliana – “Bright” or “sunray”

Brisa – “Breeze”

Mireya – “Admired one”

Yesenia – Possibly from a flower or region in South America

René – “Reborn”

Marco – “Warlike”

Ulises – Spanish form of Ulysses; “wrathful” or “hero”

Gael – “Joyful” or “generous”

Isaías – “God is salvation”

Baltasar – “Protected by God”; one of the three Magi

Esteban – “Crown”

Mauricio – “Dark-skinned”

Valente – “Brave” or “valiant”

Patricio – “Noble” or “patrician”

Classic Religious Names in Mexican Culture

María José – Combo of Mary and Joseph; used for girls

José María – Combo of Joseph and Mary; used for boys

Rosario – “Rosary”

Encarnación – “Incarnation”; religious significance

Asunción – Refers to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Dolores – “Sorrows”; often tied to the Virgin of Sorrows

Belén – “Bethlehem”

Carmen – “Song” or “garden”

Refugio – “Refuge”

Mercedes – “Mercies”

Modern Mexican Names on the Rise

Aitana – Stylish and modern; meaning uncertain

Thiago – Variation of James or Santiago

Regina – “Queen”

Danna – Modern, possibly from “Dana”

Emilia – “Eager” or “rival”

Iker – Basque name gaining popularity; “visitation”

Alexa – “Defender of humanity”

Alan – “Handsome” or “cheerful”

Zaira – “Radiant”

Matías – “Gift of God”

Mexican names are more than just beautiful to hear—they carry deep meaning, spiritual significance, and ancestral pride. Whether you’re drawn to Indigenous names like Citlali or Xóchitl, religious classics like José María, or modern favorites like Thiago and Aitana, there’s a name on this list that captures the heart and soul of Mexican identity.

We hope this collection of 100 Mexican names and their meanings gives you inspiration, insight, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of Mexican naming traditions.