Naming your baby could just be one of the most important responsibilities a parent has at the start of parenthood. Choosing a name is a huge pressure as your chosen name would stick to your child forever.
What you can read in this article?
- Diversity of Filipino Names
- Naming Conventions in the Philippines
- 50 traditional Filipino Male Names
The Philippines is a country that is hugely influenced by different foreign countries. Having been colonized by the Spanish people for 300 years, most Filipinos have a Spanish name or at least a version of it in a Filipino way.
Whilst, on the other hand, Americans or western people have also had this huge influence on Filipinos today that’s why they name their babies after some foreign words or from their favorite movie characters.
However, not all parents would like to name their babies like this and instead stick to their Filipino roots and go for more classic Filipino names. Here, we would like to help and give you some options you can use for more traditional Filipino names for your baby boy!
Diversity of Filipino Names
With multiple efforts and success of being invaded by different foreign countries, the Philippines has become heavily influenced not just in terms of culture and beliefs but also through names. If you will notice, the majority of our names – even last names – have Hispanic sounds and it is due to being a colony of Spanish people.
Due to being colonized for hundreds of years, the Philippines became extremely diversified. Constancia, Rafael, or Rodrigo – these are some of the Hispanic names you would have heard some Filipinos have.
How about Carl, John, or Hailey? These are some of the names the Americans brought us when they come after the Spaniards. Filipino names have been mixed and formed throughout the years of being occupied by colonizers.
Naming Conventions in the Philippines
Aside from these, many Filipinos opt for more unique and distinct names from different countries they are fascinated with. Filipino names especially nowadays could range from a Classic Filipino name that has a Spanish origin to being mixed with modern names. There are also some people who liked to add their names to another to form a name for their baby for a more personal feel.
As a Filipino, religion is very important and plays a big role in our lives. Being in a Catholic country is another thing people consider before giving names.
Regardless of these reasons, some of you might want to opt for a more classic Filipino name and in case you haven’t chosen one yet, we have 50 names here with their meanings and origins you can choose from.
50 traditional Filipino male names
1. Abel – came from a Hebrew origin meaning “breath”.
2. Alab – a Filipino origin word which means “to burn with emotions”
3. Agapito –is of Spanish origin which means “dear” or “sweetheart”.
4. Alain – means “old or tall man” with a French origin.
5. Alon – is a Filipino term that means “sea wave”.
6. Alejandro – Spanish origin with the meaning “People’s guardian” or “Defender of mankind”. This name is the Filipino version of alexander and is a popular name for Filipino boys.
7. Antonio – Originally Anthony in English means “priceless” in a biblical way.
8. Arnold – is a name derived from a word that means “the power of eagle”.
9. Bagwis – a Filipino term that has a meaning of “wings”.
10. Bayani – is of Filipino origin which also means “hero”.
11. Carlos – is a Spanish origin word that means “Freeman”.
12. Cesar – came from a Latin origin that means “long-haired”.
13. Christiano – is a very religious name that means “a follower of Christ”.
14. Crisanto – is of Spanish origin which means “golden flower”.
15. Danilo – is the Filipino or Tagalog version of Daniel which means “God is my judge”.
16. Dakila – a Filipino word that means “great” or “noble”
17. Datu – is a unique name of Filipino origin, it means “Chief”, “leader” or “ruler”.
18. Diego – is believed to be from an ancient Greek word which means “teacher”.
19. Edgardo – meaning “owner of the spear” is of Spanish origin.
20. Ernesto – means “honest” or “sincere” and of a Spanish origin.
21. Gabriel – means “Almighty is my strength” and is of Hebrew origin.
22. Genesis – is a word derived from the Hebrew which means “origin of something”.
23. Gilberto – derived from a German origin which means “bright”.
24. Gregory – of Greek origin which means “alert”.
25. Hilario – is a Spanish origin word that means “joyful”.
26. Hiram – means “kind” and “charitable” and came from Hebrew origin.
27. Honesto – is a Spanish origin word that means “an honest person”.
28. Inigo – Spanish term which means “passionate”.
29. Isaac – is of ancient Hebrew which means “laughter”.
30. Isaiah – a Hebrew origin that means “Yahweh is salvation”.
31. Jaime – Spanish origin with the meaning “supplanter”.
32. Jejomar – a Filipino name derived from merging Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.
33. Jericho - is of Greek origin which means “lunar haven”.
34. Joaquin – derived from a Spanish word that means “God is my judge”.
35. Juan – one of the most common Filipino names of Spanish origin which means “God’s Grace”.
36. Heronimo – na katumbas ng Jerome sa English ay nangangahulugang “scared name”.
37. Lester – is an English origin which means “safe place”.
38. Luis – came from a Spanish origin meaning “celebrated battle champion”.
39. Macario – derived from a Spanish word that means “happy”.
40. Magiting – is a Filipino term that means “heroic”.
41. Magtanggol – is a Filipino term that means “stand your ground”.
42. Makisig – is a Filipino word “handsome” or “dashing”.
43. Mauricio – is a Spanish term that means “dark-skinned”.
44. Melchor – means “city of the king” or “god of light”.
45. Nataniel – means “gift of God”.
46. Nikolas – derived from a Greek origin which means “victory of the people”.
47. Nimuel – means “peace”.
48. Omar – is derived from the Hebrew which means “eloquent”.
49. Sinag – is of Filipino origin meaning “ray of light”.
50. Vito – came from the Italian origin which means “life” or “life-giver”.