Filipino baby names are known for being pretty unique.
With names spelt backwards, parent names combined together, or names inspired by local celebrities, Filipino names are joyful, liberating, and deeply personal.
We love them.
Here, we’re sharing some of the most common Filipino names as well as some of our favorites.
But the really important thing? Let yourself be led by what you love. We hope you find some inspiration here.
In this article: 📝
- What are traditional Filipino names?
- What are unique Filipino names?
- What are the most popular names in the Philippines?
- What are girls called in the Philippines?
- What are some Filipino boy names?
What are traditional Filipino names?
Traditional Filipino names come from three different places:
- Indigenous languages, like Tagalog, Cebuano, or Ilocano
- The Spanish, who ruled the Philippines for three centuries (until the end of the 19th century)
- Anglo naming traditions, due to the US occupying the country. English remains an official language of the Philippines.
So, you’ll see these different influences when you look at Filipino names.
Spanish names are considered more ‘traditional’ than English ones, but English names are now much more common.
But Filipino naming traditions are a little different.
Usually, a given name is followed by the mother’s maiden name (as a middle name) and finally by the father’s family name.
Some Filipino naming conventions
These days, Filipino names can be a mix of the different language traditions.
There are no hard and fast rules. So, whether you like Spanish-sounding names, or classic Anglo names – or something else entirely – you go for it.
But, if you prefer, feel free to shake things up. In the Philippines, names are pretty flexible.
For example, Irene can be turned into a Filipino Airyn.
Or else Spanish names can be shortened, like Mariano becomes Nano or Roberto becomes Berting.
There’s also a fun convention of spelling names backwards – such as Dranreb instead of Bernard.
Or, you can try combining the names of mama and dad to make a unique baby name.
Marialos (for Maria and Carlos) is a common one, or Jomar (Jose and Maria).
Or even Jenally (in one case where the mama was called Jesusa, the dad was Ronaldo, and uncle Rolly).
In Filipino tradition, pretty much anything goes. So have fun!
What are unique Filipino names?
Right now, Filipino names might be some of the most unique, fun, and original in the world.
Unique names like BumBum, Queen Elizabeth, and Joker have been reported.
And why not? It gives you a whole lot of freedom to decide the name you just love.
So, here are some Filipino names for boys and girls you might like. Happy naming, mama!
What are the most popular names in the Philippines?
In 2018, the Philippines Statistical Authority released a list of the most popular Filipino baby names, including Filipino girl names and boy names.
Let’s take them one at a time:
Most popular Filipino boy names
- Nathaniel: Meaning “gift of God”.
- James: Meaning “one who follows”.
- Jacob: Meaning “supplanter”.
- Gabriel: Meaning “God is my strength”.
- Joshua: Meaning “the Lord is my salvation”.
- Angelo: Meaning “angel” or “messenger”.
- Nathan: Meaning “given”.
- John Mark: Meaning “God is gracious or warlike”.
- Christian: Meaning “follower of Christ”.
- Daniel: Meaning “God is my judge”.
Common Filipino names for girls
- Althea: Healer, wholesome
- Samantha: Meaning “told by God”
- Angel: Meaning “angel”.
- Angela: A female form of “angel”.
- Princess: Another name that means exactly what it says.
- Sophia: Meaning “wisdom”.
- Sofia: Meaning “wisdom”.
- Andrea: Meaning “manly”.
- Nathalie: Meaning “birthday”.
- Alexa: Meaning “defender”.
What are girls called in the Philippines?
Don’t worry, we’re not stopping there. More Filipino baby girl names are on their way. Here are some Filipino girl names from celebrities:
Celebrity Filipino girl names
Just as they do in the rest of the world, Filipino celebs lead the naming trends.
Here are some of the most famous, with names for inspiration for your little baby girl:
- Bea
- Catriona
- Charice
- Corazon
- Gladys
- Hilda
- Julia
- Kathryn
- Kristine
- Lea
- Liza
- Maine
- Maja
- Marian
- Maricel
- Mariel
- Nadine
- Nora
- Sandara
- Vanessa
Filipino baby girl names with Spanish roots
And now to something a little more traditional: Hispanic girl names popular in the Philippines.
There are more where they came from in our post on Spanish baby names, but here are some of our faves.
- Alicia
- Barbara
- Bernila
- Bettina
- Carmelita
- Caterina
- Cecilia
- Cristina
- Diana
- Divina
- Dolores
- Evangelina
- Gloria
- Imelda
- Maria
- Maricar
- Maricris
- Patricia
- Teresa
- Victoria
Other Filipino girl names
And now for some other Filipino female names.
From the very familiar to the weird, wonderful, and totally unique, here’s some inspiration in your quest for a baby name.
Remember, you’ve got total freedom to choose the name you love, whether it’s on this list or not!
- Ai-Ai
- Aiko
- Aira
- Alma
- Alodia
- Amy
- Ana
- Andi
- Anna
- Barbie
- Bella
- Bianca
- Blessica
- Candy
- Carla
- Charito
- Cherry
- Cheska
- Chynna
- Claudia
- Coleen
- Daisy
- Denise
- Dianne
- Dimples
- Elena
- Elise
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Empress
- Eula
- Eva
- Francine
- Gabby
- Gina
- Gladys
- Gloria
- Gretchen
- Gwen
- Harlene
- Hazel
- Heaven
- Helga
- Imelda
- Ina
- Isabel
- Jackie
- Jade
- Janelle
- Janine
- Jennylyn
- Joyce
- Karen
- Kim
- Kristel
- Kylie
- Lani
- Lexi
- Lilia
- Liza
- Lovely
- Maureen
- Maybelyn
- Melissa
- Michelle
- Mikee
- Mona
- Mutya
- Nadine
- Nicole
- Nikki
- Precious
- Queenierich
- Queen Elizabeth
- Rebecca
- Regine
- Rita
- Rosa
- Ruby
- Ruffa
- Sharlene
- Sharmaine
- Sugar
- Sunshine
- Tessie
- Tita
- Venus
- Wendy
- Wynwyn
- Zia
What are some Filipino boy names?
Now time for the boys. Like those for girls, Filipino boy names can be incredibly unique.
Here are some of our favorites – from famous Filipinos to Spanish names and all the other Filipino baby names in between.
Filipino male names from some of the most famous Filipino celebs
With their fabulous mix of cultures and conventions, here are some Filipino male names inspired by Filipino celebrities.
- Arnel
- Benigno
- Coco
- Dennis
- Diether
- Enrique
- Ferdinand
- Jacinto
- Jericho
- John
- Jose
- Lou
- Manny
- Manuel
- Markus
- Paulo
- Piolo
- Ramon
- Richard
- Zoren
Filipino baby boy names with Spanish roots
And inspired by the Philippines’ Spanish influences:
- Adolfo
- Alfonso
- Antonio
- Bernardo
- Carlos
- Cesar
- Diego
- Ernesto
- Fernando
- Francisco
- Franco
- Gilberto
- Juan
- Luis
- Miko
- Ramon
- Rico
- Tino
- Venancio
- Vilfredo
Other Filipino male names
Finally, it’s time for other popular – and less popular – boy names from across the Philippines.
We hope you find one that you love:
- Abel
- Abraham
- Alex
- Allan
- Andoy
- Andre
- Anthony
- Aring
- Aristotle
- Arjo
- Arnell
- Atoy
- Bayani
- Benjamin
- Boy
- Bryan
- Buddy
- Carlo
- Christian
- Cris
- Daniel
- Dante
- Dave
- Eddie
- Eric
- Francis
- Freddie
- Gabby
- Gabriel
- Gerald
- Gil
- Hendrix
- Hermes
- Hiro
- Isko
- Jake
- Lance
- Lito
- Lloyd
- Lou
- Mario
- Mark
- Mike
- Pancho
- Paolo
- Prince
- Renz
- Ronnie
- Roy
- Rudolph
- Sonny
- Teddy
- Teejay
- Tito
- Tommy
- Tony
- Vandolph
- Vin
- Vic
- Zanjoe
That’s our list of Filipino baby names.
Why not check out Scandinavian baby names or French names for more inspiration?