Filipino Names

The naming conventions reflect the culture of the people in the Philippines, be it influenced by Spanish, Chinese, or indigenous cultures. These names were influenced by native cultures, Spanish history, and other cultural relations that were shaped through time in the history of the country. Because of these influences, Filipino names tend to have a distinct sound, have beautiful meanings, and cover a wide cultural identity.

Many Filipino names come from virtues, nature, spirituality, and daily experiences. Terms related to the sky, wind, light, beauty, and kindness are commonly used in Filipino names. Those names have positive meaning and mean courage, cheerfulness, and wisdom, and they are believed to be in sync with life, so they are considered to be good ones for families.

Trending Filipino Male Names

Name Meaning Nickname
Crisanto Christ; Gold flower Cris
Ambrosio Immortal Ambro
Zoren Happiness Zore
Agui God of fire Aguin
Vedasto Stranger; Visitor from the woods Veda
Vergel Orchard; Pure as a lily; Virgin Vergel
Ligid To roll Li
Jacinto Hyacinth Jac
Gani Bountiful harvest Gani
Caeg A boastful person; Key Caego
Bagsic Strength, power, fierceness Bag
Bagwis Soft wing feather (of a bird); Wing Bag
Isagani Bountiful harvest Isagani
Alon Oak tree; Wave Alon
Venancio Hunter Vena
Habalo To talk, to speak Hab
Acda Literary work, composition Ac
Heherson He her son Heh
Mabalot Wrapped, encased Maba
Galang Respect; Support, foundation, beam Gala
Ramil Sand; Geomancy, divination, magic Rami
Fernandez Fernando's son; Bold protector, brave in peace; Brave journey Fern
Banoy Eagle Ban
Nimuel Circumcised of God; God's sea; Day of God Nim
Arnulfo Strong as an eagle; Smart as a wolf Arnulfo
Moises Child; To deliver, to give birth; Liberate, save; Rescued from drowning in water Moi
Alab Blaze, flame; Evening Ala
Alain Little rock; Handsome; Deer Alain
Homobono Good man Homo
Ilagan To dodge, to get out of the way Ila
Ulan Rain; Young man, boy Ulan
Caharian Kingdom, realm Cah
Visaya From Visayas; Excellence Visa
Diwa Spirit; Thought Diwa
Kalangitan Sky, the heavens Kal

Filipino male names include influence from masculinity, courage, pride, nature, and nilad. Some are native pre-colonial Filipino terms or names, while others are taken from Spanish or historical figures and are Hispanicized. These are names for which sacrifice and courage, unwavering determination, and dignity are synonymous.

Alon, Galang, Ulan, Diwa—these are among the best Filipino names. Most of the Filipinos have unique, short, and easy-to-remember names, and most of the names of the males are masculine, which makes the name sexier. Naming a baby Filipino can be a gift of cultural pride and provide tradition with which to connect.

Trending Filipino Female Names

Name Meaning Nickname
Teresita Summer; Harvest Terese
Philippine Friend of horses, horse lover Phil
Nieves Snows Niev
Mahalia Lyre; Dancing; Sad song; Sickness, weak; Woman; Beloved; Expensive, dear Maha
Adelfa Born of the same womb, brother Ade
Zenaida Sacred to Zeus Zena
Jonalyn God is gracious Jon
Analyn Favor, grace Anna
Benilda Bear battle; Battle wound Ben
Luwalhati Glory, splendor Luwa
Dafrosa Rose belt Daf
Umali Filipino surname; Shrub Um
Malayah Free Mal
Sinag Ray of light Sinag
Mahalina To be fascinated, to be charmed, to be attracted Maha
Hiraya Vision, imagination Hira
Yna Queen; Pure; To entertain; Home; The sun; Illuminate Yna
Mahaliah Weak, sick; Lyre; Entreaty; Beloved; Forbearing Mah
Sicat Rising (sun, moon); Splendor, brilliance; Full light Sica
Lualhati Glory, splendor Lual
Abiog Swinging, rocking Ab
Sirenha Goddess of fish; Mermaid Sire
Sitti Furrow Sitti
Likha Create; Art, creative work Lik
Diwata Goddess, deity Di
Lukban Grapefruit Luk
Ysip Thinking Ysip
Rosamie Rose friend; Famous protector; Horse protection; One of praise who protects and defends; Garland of roses; Rose of the world Rosa
Mirikit Beautiful; Pretty Mir
Alma Nourishing; Soul; Young woman Al
Amihan North wind, cool northeast wind; Winter storm Ami
Kabaitan Kindness Kab
Malaya Free, independent Mala
Pacaon To feed Paca
Dayea Goddess of secrets Day
Kristel Crystal; Follower of Christ Krist
Pahate For sharing Paha
Mutya Pearl; Amulet, charm; Obedient, dutiful Mutya
Luzviminda A blend of the three major islands of the Philippines Luz
Maricel Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished-for child; Beloved; Heaven Mari
Charo Rosary, wreath of roses Charo
Maricar Of María del Carmen Mar
Ligaya Happiness, joy, bliss Lig
Marikit Gorgeous, magnificent, exquisite, pretty, beautiful Mar
Lani Heaven; Sky; Royal; Wool Lan
Makisig Elegant, dashing Maki
Tadhana Destiny, fate Tadhana
Phillipina Horse lover; From the Phillipines Phillipina
Blessica To be blessed Bless
Darna Anagram of Narda Dar
Mahal Beloved, darling Mah
Chona Consolation; Conception; Water; Wolf Chon
Bual Fallen Bual
Baitan Star, heavenly body; Goodness Bai
Dungo Shy, timid; Loved one Dung
Eeya Generous, helping Eeya
Babalato To share Bab
Calajati Half Cal
Bituin Star Bitu
Luzon Luzon island; Wooden mortar Luzon
Joriz Of Jose Rizal Joriz
Danao Lake, lagoon, pond Dan
Magana From Magaña Maga
Danar One who lives near a body of water Dan
Luntian Green Lunti

With beauty, grace, nature, and gemstones as inspirations, girls' names in Filipino are clearly derived from the latter two. There are lots of authentic Filipino words that mean pleasant feelings or things in nature in English. They are beloved for the warmth, culture, and depth they emanate from the poetic meaning behind the name.

Ligaya, Amihan, Hiraya, and Lani are just a few popular examples of Filipino girl names that mean joy, imagination, wind, and heavens. They’re melodious and soft names that have powerful meanings. Filipino girl names offer the best mixture of tradition and inventiveness, beauty and strength, so it’s no surprise many families make them their special choice.

Name Lists by Origin