Naming Nationalities #3: Spanish names

Credit: flan.csusb.edu

Image has been cropped and resized

I apologise for not posting for what seems like ages, revision and exams have been the main focus at the moment!

Today I thought I'd post about my favourite naming nationality, which is that of Spanish names. I hope to end up settling down in the Balearic Islands in the future, so I'll most likely get to use a few Spanish gems. 

Adelina

My most favourite girl's name, Adelina has a meaning of "noble". As well as in Spain, Adelina is also used in Italy, Portugal, Romania and Germany. And now in the US, as it ranked at #531 in the popularity charts last year. 

Alaia

This unusual name, which can also be found as Alaïa, is of Basque origins and has a beautiful meaning of "joyful; happy". 

Alba

This spunky name has a meaning of "dawn" in the Spanish language, though it has been suggested that it also has Latin and Ancient Germanic routes. In England and Wales, it ranked at #378 on the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in Spain, where it is the name of a Duchy, it ranked at #11 in the popularity charts that same year. The last time Alba appeared on the US popularity charts was in 1923, where it had a ranking of #940.

Adelaida

Adelaida is a regal Spanish form of Adelaide. It also has it's usage in Hungary. Adelaida, as a variant of Adelaide, has a meaning of "noble natured". It is an unusual name in both Spain and the US.

Adoración

This interesting name has a charming meaning of "adoration" in the Spanish language. The name refers to The Adoration of the Magi, the part of the Nativity Story where the Magi gave gifts to the Baby Jesus, also making this name appropriate for a baby born in December or around the Epiphany. It's (still unusual) more common diminutive is Adora. 

Lucia

Common amongst babies of Hispanic heritage, this elegant name has a meaning of "light" as it is derived from the more masculine Lucius. In its native Spain, Lucia was the most popular name for girls in 2013, whilst in  England and Wales, it ranked at #169 in the popularity  charts that same year; and in the US, it ranked at #230 in the popularity charts a year later.

Ana

The quirky Spanish form of Anna has a meaning of "grace". In it's native Spain, it ranked at #19 on the popularity charts in 2013, whereas in England and Wales, it ranked at #397 in the popularity charts that same year; and lastly, in the US, it ranked at #222 in the popularity charts a year later.

Concepción

Another religious name, Concepción refers to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and is the name of a city in Chile. The English translation is literally "conception". In the US, it last appeared on the popularity charts in 1937, where it had a ranking of #964. 

Emiliana

This regal name has a meaning of "rival", as being originally derived from Aemilius, which itself is derived from Emil. It is a rare name in both Spain and the United States.

Abilio

This interesting name is the Spanish form of the Ancient Roman Avilius, whose meaning is unknown. It can also be spelt as Abílio in Portuguese.

Alfonso

A royal name in Spain, Alfonso has a meaning of "noble and ready" in the Spanish language.  In its native Spain, it last appeared on the popularity charts in 2004, where it had a ranking of #99. In the US however, it had a ranking of #849 in the popularity charts last year. 

Alvaro

Spelt as Álvaro in Spanish, this handsome name has a meaning of "army; warrior" as being suggested from the Germanic name Alfher. In Spain, Alvaro ranked at #5 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the US, it ranked at #922 a year later.

Cristóbal

This exotic Spanish variant of Christopher has a meaning of "bearing Christ". In Spanish speaking Chile, it had a ranking of #10 on the popularity charts in 2006. In the US, it last appeared on the popularity charts a year later, where it had a ranking of #917. 

Domingo

The Spanish form of Dominic has a meaning of "of the Lord". In the US, it last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 1993, where it had a ranking of #952.

Eliseo

This quirky Spanish variation of Elisha has a meaning of "my God is salvation". In the US, it had a ranking of #949 in the popularity charts last year.

Felipe

The name of the King of Spain himself is the Spanish form of Philip. It has a meaning of "friend of horses". In the US, it had a ranking of #713 in the popularity charts last year.

Florencio

This handsome name is the Spanish form of Florentius, which itself is a masculine form of the more feminine Florence. It is a rare name in both Spain and the US.