Puerto Rican Baby Names, Meanings and Origins
Puerto Rican naming is rooted primarily in Spanish, reflecting the island’s history as a Spanish colony, alongside a smaller but meaningful presence of names from the Taino people, the indigenous Caribbean population that lived on the island before European contact.
Puerto Rican names for girls
- Isabella (the Spanish/Italian form of Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath)
- Hermosa (Spanish, meaning beautiful)
Puerto Rican names for boys
- Ezequiel (Hebrew roots via Spanish, meaning God’s strength)
- Cordero (Spanish, meaning lamb)
- Adolfo (Germanic roots via Spanish, meaning noble wolf)
- Benigno (Latin, meaning blessed)
A note on Taino heritage names
Some Puerto Rican families choose names connected to Taino heritage, the island’s indigenous population before Spanish colonization, as a way of honoring that history alongside the dominant Spanish naming tradition. These names are less common in everyday use than Spanish-origin names but carry specific cultural weight for families who choose them deliberately.
Quick facts
| Major influences | Spanish colonial naming, Taino indigenous heritage |
| Common meaning themes | God’s grace and strength, nobility, beauty |
| Note | Puerto Rico’s naming tradition overlaps heavily with broader Hispanic naming (see also our Hispanic and Mexican names pages) but carries its own specific Taino-heritage layer not shared with Mexican naming traditions |
Frequently asked questions
How is Puerto Rican naming different from Mexican naming?
Both share deep Spanish roots, but Puerto Rican naming carries a distinct Taino indigenous heritage layer, while Mexican naming has its own separate Indigenous influences from Nahuatl and other Mesoamerican languages.
Are Taino names common in Puerto Rico today?
They are less common than Spanish-origin names in everyday use, but they remain a recognized and meaningful choice for families connecting to the island’s pre-colonial heritage.
Related reading
Related culture pages: Hispanic and Mexican girl names, Hispanic and Mexican boy names, Jamaican names.