Argentinian Girl Names: the full guide
So you are looking for beautiful Argentinian girl names.
First things first: there is no such thing as Argentinian girl names in reality. Most popular girl names in Argentina do not have Argentinian origin. Instead, they have Spanish or Italian origin.
This has a historic explanation. Argentina was an overseas territory of the Spanish Empire from 1516 to 1810 approximately. Before that, in the pre-columbian era, what is now known as Argentina was inhabited by several indigenous groups. These indigenous groups were displaced or killed by the Spanish conquerors and their descendants over the years.
From 1880, the governing elites of Argentina encouraged European immigration through several constitutional policies. The goal was to establish European settlements in the rural areas that once were the native lands of Argentine Amerindians.
In addition to this, from 1880 to 1924, there was a great European immigration wave to Argentina due to an economic crisis in Europe in the 1870s, and later, World War I (between 1914 and 1918).
Although there were immigrants from many different countries in Europe (and even the Near East), Italians were the most numerous —to the point that more than half of the total population of Argentina had some degree of Italian ancestry as of 2011.
The second largest group of immigrants were Spaniards (31.5% between 1857 and 1940). As a result, the Argentine culture —including our cuisine, customs, dialects, and the names that we choose for our children— is strongly influenced by Spanish and Italian culture.
Popular girl names in Argentina
As it happens in other countries, the popularity of a given girl's name in Argentina can vary over the years.
According to official data by Argentina’s National Population Registry of the Ministry of Interior, the 10 most popular girl names in the 1920s were:
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| María (mah-ree-ah) | Latin, Spanish, Hebrew | Spanish form of the name “Mary”, meaning “exalted one”, “loved by God”, “chosen by God”, “God’s mother”, “beloved”, “of the sea”. |
| María Elena (mah-ree-ah eh-leh-nuh) | Latin, Spanish + Greek | Composed name: María (see above) + Elena (meaning “bright, shining light”). |
| María Esther (mah-ree-ah eh-str) | Latin, Spanish + Persian | Composed name: María (see above) + Esther (star, hide, conceal). |
| María Luisa (mah-ree-ah loo-ee-zuh) | Latin, Spanish + Italian | Composed name: María (see above) + Luisa (renowned warrior, warrior maiden). |
| Ana (ah-nuh) | Hebrew | Spanish form of the name “Anna”, meaning “grace”, “merciful”, “favored by God”. |
| Rosa (rohz-ah) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | Spanish form of the name “Rose”, referring to the flower of the perennial plant, rose. |
| Juana (hoo-ah-nuh) | Hebrew, Spanish | Feminine form of Juan and Spanish form of Jane, meaning “God is gracious”. |
| Carmen (kahr-men) | Hebrew, Spanish, Italian | God’s vineyard, ode / poem. Also related to Mount Carmel (garden, orchard) in the Holy Land. |
| Nélida (nell-ih-duh) | Latin, Spanish | Derived from Eleanor, meaning “shining light”. |
| Ángela (aen-heh-luh) | Greek | Feminine version of “Ángel”, meaning angel, messenger of God. |
Other double-barrelled names that you can find in Argentina are:
- Ana María
- María Rosa
- María Laura (lah-oo-ruh, feminine form for Laurus, Latin for “bay laurel plant”)
- María del Carmen (“our lady of Carmel”)
- María Julia (hoo-lee-ah, the feminine form of the Roman family name Julius, derived from Roman god of sky, Jupiter)
- María Teresa (teh-reh-suh, a name of Greek origin meaning “late summer”)
- María Emilia (eh-mee-lee-ah, Latin/Spanish/Italian form of Emily, meaning “strength”)
- María Eugenia (eh-oo-heh-nee-ah, from Greek eugenes, meaning “well-born”)
- María de los Ángeles (ahn-he-lehs, meaning “angels”. María de los Ángeles can be translated as “Mary of the Angels”)
But most of these traditional names (double-barrelled or not) have lost popularity as the years went by.
Many of them are currently what you would call “old lady names”, so they are rare amongst girls who were born in recent years in Argentina. For example, by 2015, the name “María” had a popularity of only 0,1% in newborns.
According to the official records, the most popular names in 2015 were Isabella, Francesca, Delfina, Martina, Valentina, Emilia, Emma, Catalina, Sofía, and Olivia.
Unsurprisingly, the top 3 most popular names in Argentina in 2015 were of Italian origin (Isabella, Francesca, and Delfina). Valentina, Emilia, Olivia, and Martina are of Latin origin but they are used in Italy.
Here is the pronunciation and meaning of the top 10 most popular Argentinian names:
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella | is-ah-bell-ah | From Hebrew Elisheba: “God is my oath”. |
| Francesca | fran-ches-kuh | French / From France. Also, “free man”. |
| Delfina | d-ehl-fih-nuh | Woman From Delphi |
| Martina | mahr-tee-nuh | Of Mars, the Roman god of war. Warlike. |
| Valentina | vah-lehn-tea-nuh | Good health, strength. Healthy, strong. |
| Emilia | e-mee-lee-ah | Rival / to strive, to excel. |
| Emma | eh-muh | Whole, universal. |
| Catalina | kat-uh-lee-nuh | Pure (Spanish form of Katherine). |
| Sofía | s-oh-fee-ah | Wisdom (Spanish form of Sophia/Sophie). |
| Olivia | oh-liv-ee-ah | Olive, olive tree. |
Other names that appear in records from 2019 encompassing only the capital city of Buenos Aires include Jazmín (hahs-meen), Victoria (veek-taw-ree-ah), and Mía (m-ee-ah).
Jazmín is the Spanish version of Jasmine, a name of Persian origin that means “gift from God” but it is also associated to a plant with a fragrant flower. Victoria is the feminine version of Victor and it means “victory” (Victoria is actually the goddess of victory in Roman mythology). Mía is most likely derived from the Italian word “mia” and the Spanish word “mía” (both meaning “mine”).
Oddly enough, “María” was also present in this top 10 list of most popular girl names in the city of Buenos Aires in 2019. One year earlier, the name “Alma” (ahl-mah, meaning “soul” in Spanish) was slightly more popular than “María”.
Other girl names that are relatively common in Argentina are the following:
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Camila (kuh-mee-luh) | Italian, Spanish, Portuguese | Acolyte (young cult officiant). |
| Rocío (roh-see-oh) | Spanish | Dewdrops, morning dew. |
| Antonella (ahn-toh-neh-luh) | Italian | Diminutive from Antonia, meaning “first born”, “praiseworthy”. |
| Paula (paw-luh) | Latin | Small, petite. |
| Paola (pa-oh-luh) | Italian | Small, petite. |
| Agustina (ah-goos-tee-nuh) | Latin | Great, magnificent, sacred, consecrated. |
| Julieta (hoo-lee-eh-tah) | Latin, Spanish, Portuguese | Youthful, Jove’s child, little Julia. |
| Micaela (meek-ah-eh-luh) | Spanish, Italian, Hebrew | “Who is like God”. |
| Florencia (floh-rehn-syah) | Latin, Spanish | Flower. |
| Daiana (die-anna) | Greek | Contraction of “Diviana”, meaning “divine”. |
| Abril (ah-breel) | Latin | Born in April. |
| Milagros (meel-ah-grohs) | Spanish | Miracle. |
| Carolina (karr-oh-lee-nuh) | Spanish, Italian, Portuguese | Strong, free woman / Most beautiful woman in town. |
| Andrea (ahn-dreh-ah) | Greek | Brave, adult woman. |
| Noelia (noh-eh-lee-ah) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | Born on Christmas, birthday of the Lord. |
| Belén (beh-lehn) | Spanish | “House of bread”. Related to Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. |
| Mariana (mah-ree-ah-nuh) | Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese | Related to the god Mars, daughter of Marius, star of the sea, grace. |
| Romina (r-oh-meen-ah) | Arabic | “From the land of Christians”. Pomegranate in Hebrew. Polished, brightened. |
| Gabriela (gab-ree-el-ah) | Spanish, Italian | “God is my strength”. Heroine of God in Hebrew. |
| Lucía (loo-syah) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | Feminine derivative of Latin lux, meaning 'light'. |
| Natalia (nuh-tuh-lee-ah) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | Christmas day, born on Christmas day, birthday of the Lord |
| Tatiana (tuh-tee-ah-nuh) | Latin, Roman, Russian | Derived from the name of the legendary king of the Sabines, Titus Tatius in the Roman foundation myth |
| Candela (kahn-deh-luh) | Latin, Spanish, Catalan | Candle, candlemas, fire / flames, light |
| Alejandra (ahl-eh-hahn-druh) | Spanish | Spanish form of Greek name Alexandra, meaning “defender of people”, “defender of mankind” |
| Cintia, Cinthia (syn-tee-ah) | Greek | From Mount Cynthus (in Delos) / Goddess of the moon. |
| Johanna / Johana / Yohana (sho-ah-nuh) | Latin, Greek, Hebrew | God is gracious |
| Elizabeth (eh-lee-sah-beth) | Hebrew | From Hebrew Elisheba: “God is my oath”. |
| Aldana (ahl-duh-nuh) | Basque | Side, slope. Related to a town called Aldana in Basque Country. |
| Lorena(loh-reh-nuh) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | Alternative version of Lauren and Lorraine, meaning “laurel” |
| Estefanía (ehs-teh-pha-nee-ah) | Spanish | From the Greek name Stephanos, meaning “crown”, “garland”. Spanish spelling of Stephanie / Stefania. |
| Cecilia (seh-see-lee-ah) | Latin, Italian | Blind |
| Ayelén (ash-eh-lehn) | Mapudungun | Joy, smile |
Some Argentinian parents also like color-related names for girls, such as Azul (ah-zoohl, meaning “blue” in Spanish), Celeste (seh-lehs-teh, meaning “light blue” in Spanish), Violeta (bee-oh-leh-tuh, meaning “violet”), or Blanca (blahn-kah, which is “white” in its feminine form).
Other relatively popular girl names that you can find in Argentina and do not directly have a Latin origin are:
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Brenda (brehn-duh) | Celtic | Feminine version of Old Norse male name Brandr, meaning “sword”, “torch”, “flaming sword”. |
| Jessica / Jesica / Yesica (shes-ee-kuh) | English, Hebrew | Foresighted, watchful, “God beholds”. Name allegedly created by William Shakespeare. |
| Evelyn (eh-veh-lee-n) | English | Derived from Old French’s “Aveline”, meaning “desired”, “wished for child”. |
| Denise (dehn-ees) | French | Feminine form of Dennis, meaning “devotee of Dionysius” (the Greek god of wine). |
| Nancy (nahn-see) | French, English, Hebrew | Diminutive of Anne, meaning “grace”, or “favored by God”. |
Rare Argentinian girl names
Rare names in Argentina are a relatively new phenomenon as the country’s naming law only changed in 2015. Before that year, the 1969 naming law prohibited names that were “extravagant, ridiculous, contrary to Argentine customs or ideology, or that could cause confusion about a person's sex”.
Even though many popular names were of Italian origin, most “foreign names” were also prohibited, unless they could be adapted into a “Spanish version” (both in pronunciation and spelling).
There was a list of approved names built by the government and parents of newborns had to stick to it at the time of registering the new baby’s identity. There is still a list of approved names in Argentina, but it is much larger than in 1969 and it includes all kinds of names.
The new naming law also allows parents to ask the authorities for approval of a rare name that is not on the list (without needing to go to court, as it happened in the past).
The 2015 naming law still forbids “extravagant names” but there is a new definition for what is an extravagant name. It is no longer a rare, unusual name but a name that is ridiculous, offensive, or humiliating for the person who owns it. And it does no longer matter if it is considered “foreign” or not.
This enabled the evolution of rare girl names in Argentina. Therefore, we have unique Argentinian girl names from a variety of origins and cultures, somewhat reflecting Argentina’s multiethnic background.
Here are some of them:
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Muna (moo-nah) | Arabic | Wish, desire |
| Ingrid (ee-n-gree-d) | Old Norse | Beloved, beautiful, fair |
| Uma (ooh-muh) | Sanskrit | Splendor, fame, tranquility |
| India (een-dee-ah) | Greek | River (from the Indus River) |
| Indiana (een-dee-ah-nuh) | Latin | From India or Indian Land |
| Cloe (klo-eh) | Greek | Green, fertile |
| Suria(zoo-ree-ah) | Hindi | Sun god (in Hinduism) |
| Mirella (mee-rehl-ah) | Italian | Prosperous, worthy of admiration |
| Ainara (ah-ee-nuh-ruh) | Basque | Wanderer, swallow bird |
| Lupe (loo-peh) | Latin | Wolf |
| Alba (ahl-bah) | Latin, Spanish, Italian | White, sunrise, dawn |
| Yara (iah-rah) | Tupi (indigenous group in Brazil) | From Brazilian Portuguese Iara, a river spirit in Guarani and Tupi mythology |
| Rufina (roo-fee-nuh) | Latin, Spanish, Italian, Greek | Female version of Rufus. Meaning “red-haired”. |
| Allegra (ahl-eh-gruh) | Italian | Lively, full of joy |
| Moa (moh-ah) | Swedish | Mother |
| Briana (bree-ah-nuh) | Irish | Feminine version of Brian. Meaning strong, honorable, virtuous. |
| Anahí (ah-nuh-ee) | Guarani | A woman as beautiful as the flower of the cockspur coral tree (Argentina’s national flower) |
| Inti (een-tee) | Quechua | A unisex name meaning Sun god (Inti is the solar deity in the Incan mythology). |
| Sasha (sah-sha) | Russian | Shortened version of Alexandra. Meaning defender, helper of mankind |
| Regina (reh-shee-nuh) | Latin, Italian, Romanian | Queen |
| Gala (guh-luh) | Greek, Old French, Hebrew | “Calm” in Greek, merrymaking / festivity in Old French, wave / spring in Hebrew |
Girl names used in Argentina have a variety of origins, with Italian and Spanish names being among the most common. This article on girl names in Argentina has a companion article that covers boy names used in Argentina.
