Cuba is a beautiful yet mysterious Caribbean island that for many years was shrouded in political unrest. But these days it has become quite a colorful tourist hotspot with tourists traveling from all over the world to experience all that Cuba has to offer.
Cuba is a mix of Greek and Spanish heritage and the baby names that they choose often reflect this.
But Cuba has also been influenced by heritage from other countries and their baby names are now beginning to reflect this too, with the more traditional names becoming less popular.
When you think of traditional Cuban names, there are a few that quickly come to mind, such as Marisol, Juan, and Roberto. But this is just the tip of the iceberg as there are many many more amazing options available.
We have put together a list of some of our favorite Cuban inspired names.
In this article
Cuban Names for Girls
Cuban baby names as we have said do mostly have a Spanish or Greek origin and this is due to the heritage of the country and the people that call Cuba home.
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Here are some of the baby names used for girls that are a mix of both traditional, unique, and more modern.
A
Acindina – A name of Greek origin. It means ‘safe.’
Adoncia – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘sweet.’
Aleja – This is a variant of the English name Alexandra and it means ‘defender of mankind.’
Aymee – This is the Cuban version of the English name Amy and means ‘beloved.’
B
Benita – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘blessed.’
C
Calida – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘adoring.’
Castora – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘brilliant.’
D
Dalila – A name of Spanish origin that’s derived from the biblical name Delilah.
Damasia – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘of the Adriatic Sea.’
Delfina – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘dolphin.’
Dunia – A name of Arabic origin, and it means ‘world’ or ‘life.’
E
Edelira – A name of Cuban origin and it means ‘noble heritage.’
Elisa – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘consecrated to God.’
Estefania – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘crowned with laurels.’
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F
Floramaria – A name that has a Spanish origin. It means ‘flower of Mary.’
Fructuosa – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘sweet as fruit.’
G
Gertrudes – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘beloved warrior women.’
Gisele – A name of German origin. It means ‘pledge.’
H
Hermosa – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘beautiful.’
I
Idurre – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘of the Virgin Mary.’
Isabel – A name that has a Spanish origin and it means ‘consecrated to God.’
Itxaro – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘hope.’
J
Jacynthe – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘beautiful’ or ‘attractive.’
Jesusa – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘God is my salvation.’
L
Landa – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘of the Virgin Mary.’
Leya – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘the constellation Leo.’
Lola – A name that has a Spanish origin and it means ‘sorrowful.’
M
Madeira – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘sweet wine.’
Maita – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘sorrowful lady.’
Mariposa – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘butterfly.’
Mayte – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘loveable.’
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N
Nalda – A name that’s Spanish in origin and means ‘strong.’
Necha – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘pure.’
Nicanora – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘victorious army.’
Novia – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘sweetheart.’
O
Oleda – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘of God.’
Oriole – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘black and orange bird.’
Orquidea – A name that’s Italian in origin and it means ‘beautiful as a flower.’
Osanna – A name that’s Latin in origin and means ‘praise the Lord.’
P
Palmira – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘palm tree.’
Perpetua – A name that’s Spanish in origin and means ‘perpetual.’
Prudenciana – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘cautious’ or ‘discreet.’
Q
Quesara – A name that’s Latin in origin and means ‘youthful.’
Quintessa – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘essence.’
Quirita – A name that’s Latin in origin and it means ‘citizen.’
R
Ramira – A name that’s Spanish in origin. It means ‘judicious.’
Regla – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘rule.’
Retha – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘virtuous.’
Rio – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘river.’
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S
Salud – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘healthy.’
Samara – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘elm tree seed.’
Santanna – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘saint.’
Savina – A name that’s Latin in origin and it means ‘ancient tribe in Italy.’
T
Tequila – A name that’s Spanish in origin and is a type of liquor.
Tiburcia – A name with Spanish origins and means ‘a place of pleasures.’
Tranquila – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘tranquil.’
U
Umbelina – A name that has a Latin origin and it means ‘to give protective shade.’
Urbana – A name of Latin origin and means ‘city dweller.’
V
Ventana – A name that’s Spanish in origin and means ‘window.’
Veradis – A name that’s Latin in origin and means ‘truthful.’
Vernisha – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘bringer of victory.’
X
Xandria – A name with a Greek origin and it means ‘defender of mankind.’
Xanthippe – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘yellow or blond haired.’
Y
Yadra – A name with a Spanish origin and it means ‘mother.’
Yocelin – A name that’s Latin in origin and it means ‘joyous.’
Z
Zanna – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘God is gracious.’
Zelia – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘sunshine.’
Cuban Names for Boys
Boy names that are used in Cuba are often influenced by both Spanish and Greek heritage. Below is an example of some of these names that offer a little spice to a baby’s name.
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A
Abelardo – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘noble’ or ‘resolute.’
Adolfo – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘noble wolf.’
Alejandro – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘defender of mankind.’
Alonza – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘noble and eager.’
B
Basilio – A name that’s Greek in origin and it means ‘royal’ or ‘kingly.’
Bembe – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘prophet.’
Bernbe – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘son of the missionary.’
Bibiano – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘a small man.’
Bonifacio – A name that’s Spanish in origin. It means ‘does good deeds.’
C
Calisto – A name that’s of Greek origin. It means ‘most beautiful.’
Carlito – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘Carl’s town.’
Cedro – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘a strong gift.’
Chepe – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘God will add.’
Cisco – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘from France.’
D
Decarlos – A name that’s Spanish in origin it means ‘prefix De + Carlos.’
Desiderio – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘desired.’
Duardo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘a prosperous guardian.’
E
Edmundo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘a prosperous protector.’
Eladio – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘from Greece.’
Elon – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘noble and eager.’
Emeterio – A name of Greek origin, and it means ‘deserves affection.’
Epifanio – A name that’s Greek in origin and it means ‘shines brightly.’
Espartaco – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘gardener.’
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F
Fanuco – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘free.’
Federico – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘peaceful ruler.’
Fernan – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘daring and adventurous.’
Filiberto – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘brilliant.’
G
Ganimedes – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘beautiful mortals.’
Geraldo – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘mighty spearman.’
Gimoaldo – A name that’s Spanish in origin and it means ‘confessor.’
Gutierre – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘army ruler.’
H
Heliodoro – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘gift of the sun god.’
Herodoto – A name that’s Greek in origin and it means ‘the sacred talent.’
Homero – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘hostage’ or ‘pledge.’
Huberto – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘a bright mind.’
I
Incencio – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘white.’
Ireneo – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘lover of peace.’
Isidoro – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘the goddess Isis.’
J
Jair – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘God enlightens.’
Javiero – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘owner of a new house.’
Jimeno – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘He heard.’
Jorgeluis – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘Jorge + Luis.’
K
Kosmo – A name of Greek origin. It means ‘harmonious’ or ‘universe.’
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L
Lao – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘stand of glory.’
Learco – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘judge of his village.’
Lerenzo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘crowned with laurels.’
Lidio – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘ancient.’
M
Macario – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘happy’ or ‘blessed.’
Mango – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘God is with us.’
Markos – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘martial’ or ‘warlike.’
Melecio – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘careful and attentive.’
N
Naldo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘king’s advisor.’
Natividad – A name of Spanish origin, meaning ‘nativity.’
Nectario – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘nectar of life.’
Nerio – A name that’s Greek in origin and it means ‘sea traveler.’
Nicho – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘of the god of wine.’
O
Olo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘famous in the land.’
Orfeo – A name of Greek origin. It means ‘has a good voice.’
Oswaldo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘God’s power.’
P
Pabla – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘little one.’
Pafnucio – A name of Greek origin. It means ‘rich in merits.’
Panfilo – A name of Greek origin that means ‘friend to all.’
Paz – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘peaceful.’
Philo – A name of Greek origin and means ‘love.’
Q
Quito – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘fifth in order.’
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R
Raymon – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘mighty or wise protector.’
Reinaldo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘king’s advisor.’
Reymundo – A name of Spanish origin. It means ‘mighty or wise protector.’
Rodolfo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘shield wolf.’
Rudi – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘famous wolf.’
Ruyan – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘little king.’
S
Salamon – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘peaceful.’
Sandro – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘defender of mankind.’
Santino – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘city in Texas.’
Servando – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘to serve.’
T
Tajo – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘day.’
Teb – A name of Spanish origin that means ‘crowned with laurels.’
Teodosio – A name of Greek origin that means ‘gift of God.’
Theo – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘God.’
Ticiano – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘giant’ or ‘hero.’
V
Valor – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘man of valor.’
Vicente – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘victor and conqueror.’
Virgilio – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘staff bearer.’
Vuno – A name of Greek origin that means ‘of the mountains.’
X
Xeronimo – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘holy’ or ‘pure.’
Y
Yago – A name of Spanish origin and it means ‘supplanter.’
Z
Zacaris – A name of Spanish origin and means ‘God remembered.’
Zotico – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘of a long life.’
Some Famous Cubans
Although Cuba is a relatively small country, it has produced some amazing talent and their names are now part of history. Here are a few of our favorite famous Cuban names and the stories of the people behind them.
Celia – The name means ‘heavenly.’ It was the name of one of the most popular Latin music artists of the 20th century, Celia Cruz. She was born in Havanna but spent much of her life in the United States.
Yoel – The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘Jehovah of the Lord.’ It’s also the first name of the mixed martial arts fighter Yoel Romero who’s currently ranked number two in the world. He has also won six World and Olympic medals as a freestyle wrestler.
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Gloria – The anglicized form of the Latin name Gloriae means ‘immortal glory,’ ‘fame,’ or ‘praise.’ It’s also the name of the Havana-born singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan. She shot to global fame in 1985 with the song Conga and went on to win three Grammy awards and has sold more than 100 million records around the world.
Javier – This name is popular in both Spanish and Portuguese. It means ‘bright.’ It’s a variation of the English surname Xavier and originated as a homage to St. Francis Xavier a Spanish missionary and patron saint of all missionaries. It also has a famous namesake in Javier Sotomayor who currently holds the world record in high jumping and is the only person to have ever jumped 2.45 meters. He’s widely regarded as one of the best high jumpers ever and is also one of the most well-known Cubans.
The Final Thought
Cuba is an amazing place with a history that is a close match to its extraordinary beauty. It’s no wonder that their baby names are a mix of both traditional and also embrace the modern era.
If any of these names have caught your attention for your little one, your baby will have a unique name that’s not found in every classroom across the country.
I don’t believe you can go far wrong with a Cuban-inspired baby name whether for a baby boy or girl.
