Cuba is a fascinating place to most people. Though Cuba is known as a tiny island with lush forests and plentiful sunshine, Cuban last names have a story all on their own. Cubans have plenty of Spanish-based surnames, yet many also have origins in French and German.
Get ready to dive into the Caribbean Sea, where a world of cool Cuban surnames awaits you. Our all-inclusive list will school you on the pronunciations of Cuban family names, while listing statistics on popularity and famous namesakes.
100 Popular Cuban Surnames
Take a beach trip like no other to discover Cuban last names worth knowing.
Acosta
Acosta was first used for someone living “by a riverbank” and means “coast” as the Portuguese “da Costa.” It also refers to a town in Spain, where it ranks as the 60th most common surname.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From the coast
- Pronunciation: Ah-KOST-aa
- Variations: De Costa, Da Costa, D’Acosta
- Namesakes: Óscar Acosta, a Honduran journalist for Tegucigalpa Magazine. Tomás Diez Acosta, a Cuban member of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces in 1961.
- Popularity: Acosta ranked 430th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 22nd in Cuba in 2014.
Aldana
Aldana is linked to the similarly spelled Spanish town called Saldaña. Some believe it originated with Aldana near Santiago de Compostela.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Basque place name
- Pronunciation: Ahl-DAAH-nah
- Namesakes: Eduardo Fernández, a Mexican footballer for Venados. Lucía Aldana, a Colombian model crowned Miss Colombia 2012.
- Popularity: Aldana is rare worldwide, mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 272nd in Cuba in 2014.
Álvarez
Álvarez means “son of Álvaro,” meaning “prudent.” It may have been used by the German Visigoths tribe who came to Spain in the Middle Ages.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Alvaro
- Pronunciation: AHL-vah-Rehs
- Variations: Alvares
- Namesakes: George Álvarez, a Cuban-American actor known for the soap opera General Hospital. Cristian Álvarez, an Argentine member of the rock band Viejas Locas.
- Popularity: Álvarez is rare worldwide, primarily used in Spain, and ranked 412th in Panama in 2014.
Amorós
Amoros is one of the most positive Cuban last names and means “loving.” When based on the Spanish “amorós,” it was a nickname for an affectionate person.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Loving
- Pronunciation: Ah-MOOR-ows
- Variations: Amores
- Namesakes: Ciril Amorós, a Spanish footballer for RCD Espanyol. Juan Amorós, a Spanish cinematographer who won the 1992 Cinema Writers Circle Award.
- Popularity: Amorós is rare worldwide, mostly used in Spain, and ranked 1,608th in Cuba in 2014.
Aparicio
Aparicio is a geographical name based on the Spanish “aparición,” meaning “appearance.” Its Latin origin means “ghost,” even when given to someone as thin as one.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Ghost
- Pronunciation: Ah-pae-RIY-siy-Ow
- Variations: Aparici
- Namesakes: Jaime Aparicio, a Colombian hurdler who competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Rafaela Aparicio, an actress known for Anna and the Wolves (1973).
- Popularity: Aparicio is rare worldwide, mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 93rd in Panama in 2014.
Arenas
Like many Cuban surnames, Arenas comes from Spanish and Latin origins. “Arena” means “a sandy place” and came to mean a “dweller near a sandy place.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Sand
- Pronunciation: Ah-REHN-ahs
- Namesakes: Juan Pablo Arenas, a Chilean footballer for Deportes Melipilla. Yolanda Arenas, a Cuban actress appearing in Cuba ’58 (1960).
- Popularity: Arenas is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 177th in Colombia in 2014.
Asencio
Asencio is taken from the Basque “asen,” meaning “blackberry bush.” Someone named Asencio lived near a group of blackberry bushes and was first used in Aragon, Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: At the blackberry bush
- Pronunciation: Ah-SEHN-siy-Ow
- Variations: Ascencio
- Namesakes: Fabrice Asencio, a French footballer for Wasquehal. Diego C. Asencio, the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia from 1977 to 1980.
- Popularity: Asencio is rare worldwide, mostly used in Peru, and ranked 278th in the Dominican Republic in 2014.
Avila
Avila is one of the older Cuban family names and originated in 12th-century Castile. It’s associated with the Latin Abulia, referring to the most beautiful “castle.”
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Fortified place
- Pronunciation: Ah-VIYL-aa
- Variations: de Avila, D’Avila
- Namesakes: John Avila, an American bassist for the band Oingo Boingo. Eva Avila, a Canadian singer who won Canadian Idol in 2006.
- Popularity: Avila ranked 549th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 29th in Honduras in 2014.
Ayala
Ayala refers to someone “from Ayala,” a town in the Basque region. It means “slope” or “hillside” to express any meanings that describe the unique landscape of the town.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Hillside
- Pronunciation: Ah-YAEL-aa
- Variations: Ayalla
- Namesakes: Violeta Ayala, a Bolivian-Australian filmmaker known for Cocaine Prison (2017). Joey Ayala, a Filipino chairman of the music committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
- Popularity: Ayala ranked 728th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 19th in Paraguay in 2014.
Bacallao
Bacallao originated in the Catalan region of Spain and is based on “bacallà,” meaning “cod.” It’s an example of last names in Cuba being more popular there than in Spain. Bacallao is a nickname for a fisherman known for catching cod.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Cod
- Pronunciation: Baa-cah-LAOW
- Popularity: Bacallao is rare worldwide and mostly used in Cuba, where it ranked 349th in 2014.
Balmaseda
In the Basque country, Balmaseda evokes images of “a valley full of vineyards.” It’s made up of the Spanish “val,” meaning “valley,” and the Basque “mahatseta,” meaning “vineyard.”
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Vineyard Valley
- Pronunciation: Baal-maa-SEY-dah
- Variations: Balmaceda
- Popularity: Balmaseda is very rare worldwide, mainly used in Spain, and ranked 1,074th in Cuba in 2014.
Bartelemi
Bartelemi means “someone with a bounty of land” in the French region of Auvergne. It’s based on Bartholome, first meaning “son of the twin” in Hebrew.
- Origin: Cuban, French
- Meaning: With a bounty of land
- Pronunciation: Baar-teh-LEH-miy
- Variations: Barthélemi, Bartélemie
- Popularity: Bartelemi is extremely rare worldwide, with 101 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in DR Congo.
Batista
Batista comes from the medieval Latin “baptista,” meaning “baptist.” It honors the prophet St. John the Baptist, whose nickname is Titta.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Baptist
- Pronunciation: Bah-TEE-Stah
- Variations: Bautista
- Namesakes: Fulgencio Batista, Cuba’s military dictator from 1952 to 1959. Miguel Batista, a Dominican baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Popularity: Batista ranked 315th worldwide, is mostly used in Brazil, and ranked 48th in Cuba in 2014.
Bello
Bellow derives from the Latin “bellus,” meaning “handsome” for a boy and “beautiful” for a girl. It originated as a nickname for a good-looking person that stuck through the centuries for Hispanic families.
- Origin: Cuban, Italian
- Meaning: Handsome
- Pronunciation: BEHL-ow
- Variations: Bellon
- Namesakes: Maria Bello, an American actress appearing in Lights Out (2016). Frank Bello, an American bass player for the band Anthrax.
- Popularity: Bello ranked 375th worldwide, is mainly used in Nigeria, and ranked 144th in Cuba in 2014.
Beltrán
Beltrán is a patronymic surname for a “descendant of Beltrán,” the Spanish form of the German Bertram. Bertram is made up of the German “berht,” meaning “bright famous,” and “hramn,” meaning “raven.”
- Origin: Cuban, German
- Meaning: Bright raven
- Pronunciation: BEHL-traehn
- Variations: Beltrand
- Namesakes: Ileana Beltrán, a Cuban judoka and gold medalist at the 1995 Pan American Games. Mike Beltran, an American member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2018.
- Popularity: Beltrán is very rare worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 1,392nd in Puerto Rico in 2014.
Benítez
Benitez means “son of Benito (or Benedict)” in Spanish and began as a Roman name meaning “blessed.” St. Benedict(us) of Nursia is the patron saint of fields and farmers on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Benito
- Pronunciation: Beh-NEE-tehz
- Variations: Benites
- Namesakes: Antonio Benítez-Rojo, a Cuban writer who won the 1967 Premio Casa de las Américas. Elsa Benítez, a Mexican model appearing on the cover of the 2001 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Popularity: Benitez ranked 646th worldwide, is mostly used in Paraguay, and ranked 71st in Cuba in 2014.
Bettencourt
Bettencourt originated as the French surname Betancourt, which combines the Germanic Betto with the Old French “court,” meaning “yard.” The Bettencourts were a noble family originally from northern France.
- Origin: Cuban, French
- Meaning: French place name
- Pronunciation: BEHT-en-Kort
- Variations: Betancourt, Bettancourt
- Namesakes: Nuno Bettencourt, a Portuguese-American guitarist for the band Extreme. Liliane Bettencourt, a French heiress and the richest person in France in 2016.
- Popularity: Bettencourt is rare worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 261st in Portugal in 2014.
Borges
Borges was a surname for a “native of Borja” in Spain. Some associate the variation Borja with the Arabic “burdz,” meaning “tower.” It’s also used for a “son of Borgo” and means “of the town.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Hailing from a town
- Pronunciation: BOWR-ges
- Variations: Borjes
- Namesakes: Jorge Luis Borges, an Argentine writer, and winner of the 1962 Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award. José Borges, a Cuban baseball player for the Cuban Stars.
- Popularity: Borges ranked 664th worldwide, is primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 116th in Cuba in 2014.
Bueno
Bueno is the Spanish word for “good,” which comes from the Latin “bonus,” also meaning “simple.” Bueno changes to “buena” as a female surname and can only be a “good thing” for its namesake.
- Origin: Cuban, Italian
- Meaning: Good
- Pronunciation: BWEAY-now
- Variations: Buono
- Namesakes: Maria Bueno, a Brazilian tennis player and the first South American winner of Wimbledon. Vincent Bueno, a Filipino-Austrian singer and winner of Musical! Die Show in 2008.
- Popularity: Bueno ranked 1,405th worldwide and is mostly used in Brazil, ranking 136th in 2014.
Caballero
A place in Spain called Caballero denotes a “horseman” or a “knight.” Caballero uses the Spanish root “caballo,” meaning “horse,” and has noble associations in Latino culture.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Horseman
- Pronunciation: Kah-baa-YEAR-oh
- Variations: Caballeros, Cavallero
- Namesakes: Elizabeth Caballero, a Cuban-American opera singer who won the 2007 Diva Award. Roberney Caballero, a Cuban footballer with the Cuban national team.
- Popularity: Caballero ranked 993rd worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 69th in Cuba in 2014.
Cabrera
Cabrera derives from the Latin “capraria,” meaning “place of goats.” It began as an occupational surname for a “goatherd” and is the name of a town in the Dominican Republic.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Goat herder
- Pronunciation: Kah-BREH-rah
- Variations: Cabrero
- Namesakes: Conrado Cabrera, a Cuban track cyclist and bronze medalist at the 1991 Pan American Games. Guillermo Cabrera Infante, a Cuban writer known for “Tres tristes tigres” (1967).
- Popularity: Cabrera ranked 469th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 19th in Cuba in 2014.
Calderón
Calderón is a very specific surname for someone “who made and sold large kettles or boilers.” It uses the Latin root “caldaria,” meaning “cauldron,” and refers to a “tinker,” for someone who fixes things.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Maker of kettles
- Pronunciation: Caal-DEH-rahn
- Variations: Caldero, Caldera
- Namesakes: Mercedes Calderón, a Cuban volleyball player and gold medalist at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Sila María Calderón, the governor of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005.
- Popularity: Calderón ranked 689th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 33rd in Costa Rica in 2014.
Cañizares
Cañizares represents two locations in Cuenca, Spain, and Guadalajara, Mexico. It uses the Spanish root “cañizar” to symbolize “reeds” growing in these locales.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Cañizares
- Pronunciation: Kaan-ih-ZAAR-ehs
- Namesakes: José María Cañizares, a Spanish golfer and member of the European Ryder Cup team. Bárbaro Cañizares, a Cuban-American for the Industriales.
- Popularity: Cañizares is rare worldwide and mainly used in Spain, where it ranked 932nd in 2014.
Castañeda
Castañeda represents several Spanish place names that center around “castaña,” meaning “chestnut.” The noble House of Castañeda’s villa was also called the “castle of the chestnuts.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Valley of chestnuts
- Pronunciation: Kaas-tuh-NEY-daa
- Namesakes: Carlos Castañeda, an American writer known for The Teachings of Don Juan (1968). Luis Castañeda, the Mayor of Lima, Peru from 2003 to 2010.
- Popularity: Castañeda is rare worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 147th in Cuba in 2014.
Castilla
Castilla is a well-known region in Spain, with many castles. It derives from the Latin “castellum,” meaning “castle” and “fort.” Today, Castilla is also a town located in northwest Peru.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Castle
- Pronunciation: Kaas-TEE-yaa
- Variations: Castillas
- Namesakes: Ramón Castilla, the President of Peru for three terms during the 19th-century. Alberto Castilla, a Colombian composer who founded the Conservatory of Tolima in 1906.
- Popularity: Castilla is rare worldwide, primarily used in Colombia, and ranked 1,168th in Cuba in 2014.
Castro
Castro is one of several geographical Cuban last names based on the Spanish “castro,” meaning “castle” or “fortress.” It referred to an ancient Roman “walled city” and is as strong a surname as its namesake, Fidel Castro.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Castle, fortress
- Pronunciation: KAES-Troh
- Variations: Castrelo
- Namesakes: Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2011. Luciano Castro, an Argentine actor appearing in the telenovela Valientes.
- Popularity: Castro ranked 215th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 19th in Colombia in 2014.
Cisneros
Cisneros is one of many Cuban surnames starting with C on the list based on locations. It was given to someone “from Cisneros,” in Palencia, and is based on “cisne,” meaning “swan.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Swan roost
- Pronunciation: Sihs-NEH-rohs
- Variations: Cisnero
- Namesakes: Omar Cisneros, a Cuban track and field athlete and gold medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games. José Cisneros, the American Treasurer for San Francisco since 2004.
- Popularity: Cisneros is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 405th in Cuba in 2014.
Coronado
Coronado is taken from the Spanish “coronar,” meaning “to crown.” It was a nickname for someone acting like royalty, even if they were not.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Crowned one
- Pronunciation: Kohr-ah-NAH-doh
- Variations: de Coronado
- Namesakes: Juan Coronado, a Dominican basketball player for Caciques de Humacao. Sergio Coronado, a member of the French National Assembly from 2012 to 2017.
- Popularity: Coronado is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 191st in Guatemala in 2014.
Corzo
Corzo means “roe deer” in Spanish and was an unusual nickname for a “timid person.” It was also for places called Corzo in both Galicia and Seville.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Roe deer
- Pronunciation: KOHR-zow
- Namesakes: Aldo Corzo, a Peruvian footballer for the Peru national team. Téofilo Torres Corzo, a current senator of the LXII Legislature of the Mexican Congress.
- Popularity: Corzo is rare worldwide, mainly used in Argentina, and ranked 682nd in Cuba in 2014.
Cuevas
Cuevas is a plural of the Spanish “cueva,” meaning “cave.” Places like Las Cuevas were known for caves, so their residents sometimes used Cuevas as a surname.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Caves
- Pronunciation: KWEAV-ahs
- Variations: Cueva
- Namesakes: Beto Cuevas, a Chilean-Canadian lead singer for the band La Ley. Pablo Cuevas, a Uruguayan tennis player who won the 2008 French Open men’s doubles title.
- Popularity: Cuevas ranked 1,420th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 52nd in the Dominican Republic in 2014.
Curbelo
Curbelo stands out among Cuban family names with origins in the Spanish Canary Islands. It’s inspired by the Galician “curbelo,” meaning “crow,” and dates back to the 18th century.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Crow
- Pronunciation: Ker-BEH-low
- Namesakes: Juan Curbelo, the mayor of San Antonio, Texas in 1737 and 1739. Gaston Curbelo, a French footballer for AS Nancy.
- Popularity: Curbelo is rare worldwide, mostly used in Uruguay, and ranked 344th in Cuba in 2014.
De la Cruz
De la Cruz became part of a title in Spain for someone named Cruz, who lived near a large cross. It’s quite typical in the Philippines, thanks to the popularity of Catholicism.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Of the cross
- Pronunciation: Dey-la-CRUWS
- Variations: Cruz
- Namesakes: Elly De la Cruz, a Dominican baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds. Veronica de la Cruz, an American news anchor for Scripps News.
- Popularity: De la Cruz ranked 675th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 145th in Cuba in 2014.
De la paz
De la Paz is based on the Spanish “paz” and Latin “pax,” meaning peace. It was once common among Jewish converts to Christianity in Spain and is popular in Cuba today.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Of the peace
- Pronunciation: Dey-la-PAAZ
- Variations: Paz, La Paz
- Popularity: De la Paz is rare worldwide, mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 252nd in Cuba in 2014.
Delfin
Delfin refers to a “dolphin” when based on the Latin “delphīnus,” meaning “a fish with a womb.” It’s also associated with the Italian Delfino with the same meaning.
- Origin: Cuban, Italian
- Meaning: Dolphin
- Pronunciation: Dehl-FEEN
- Variations: Delfini, Delfino
- Namesakes: Juan María Delfín, an 18th-century captain of the Spanish Armada. Eusebio Delfín, a Cuban musician who introduced arpeggio to Cuban popular music.
- Popularity: Delfin is rare worldwide and primarily used in the Philippines, running 256th in 2014.
Delgado
Delgado was once given to a “crippled or deformed person” or a “thin man.” It means “slender” in Spanish when derived from the Latin “delicatus,” meaning “dainty.”
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Delicate
- Pronunciation: Dehl-GAA-dow
- Variations: Delgadillo
- Namesakes: Alberto Delgado, a Cuban footballer for Ciudad de la Habana. Issac Delgado, a Cuban musician and one of the founders of the band NG La Banda.
- Popularity: Delgado ranked 395th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 95th in Cuba in 2014.
Despaigne
Despaigne comes from the Old French “d’Espaigne,” meaning “from Spain.” It was used for Spaniards living in France and as a nickname for someone with Spanish associations.
- Origin: Cuban, French
- Meaning: From Spain
- Pronunciation: Deh-SPAEYN
- Variations: Despain
- Namesakes: Joel Despaigne, a Cuban volleyball player who competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Yosvant Despaigne, a Cuban judoka and bronze medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games.
- Popularity: Despaigne is rare worldwide and primarily used in Cuba, where it ranked 334th in 2014.
Destrade
Destrade has very little in the way of origins or associations other than meaning “a destined or paved path.” It doesn’t often appear today, but it may in France.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Destined path
- Pronunciation: Deh-STRAH-dey
- Namesakes: Orestes Destrade, a Cuban baseball player for the New York Yankees.
- Popularity: Destrade is very rare worldwide and mostly used in France.
Diaz
Diaz dates back to the Latin “dies,” meaning “days.” It’s also associated with Diego and is used as a patronymic surname beginning with D, meaning “son of Diego.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Dirgo
- Pronunciation: DIY-ahs
- Variations: Dias
- Namesakes: Joey Diaz, a Cuban-American comedian appearing in The Many Saints of Newark. Tony Diaz, a Dominican assistant baseball coach for the Minnesota Twins.
- Popularity: Diaz ranked 132nd worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 7th in Cuba in 2014.
Escalante
Escalante is a place name in Cantabria, Spain, taken from the Spanish “escala,” meaning “ladder.” It was used to represent the “terraced slope” of several villages and towns.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Sloped terrain
- Pronunciation: Ehs-cah-LAAN-tey
- Namesakes: Enrique Escalante, a Puerto Rican volleyball player and silver medalist at the 2008 NORCECA Championship. Joe Escalante, an American member of the band The Vandals.
- Popularity: Escalante is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 131st in El Salvador in 2014.
Fernández
Fernández was first used for the “son of Fernando.” It’s based on the German Ferdinand, meaning “brave traveler,” and is one of Cuba’s most popular last names.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Fernando
- Pronunciation: Fer-NAEN-dehz
- Variations: Fernandeiz
- Namesakes: Pablo Armando Fernández, a Cuban writer awarded the 1996 National Prize for Literature. Gigi Fernández, a Puerto Rican tennis player and winner of two Olympic gold medals.
- Popularity: Fernández ranked 162nd worldwide, is mostly used in Spain, and ranked 9th in Cuba in 2014.
Ferrar
Ferrar originated with the Latin “ferrarius,” meaning “ironworker.” In the Middle Ages, a “farrier” was a “maker of horseshoes,” but the spelling Ferrer is much more known today.
- Origin: Cuban, French
- Meaning: Blacksmith
- Pronunciation: Fehr-AAR
- Variations: Ferrer
- Namesakes: John C. Farrar, an American publisher who helped found Farrar, Straus and Giroux. David Farrar, an English actor appearing in Gone to Earth (1950).
- Popularity: Ferrar is very rare worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 420th in Gibraltar in 2014.
Frederick
Frederick is better known as a given name, but also denoted “the son of Frederick.” Taken from the German Friedrich, it also means “peaceful king or ruler.’
- Origin: Cuban, German
- Meaning: Son of Frederick
- Pronunciation: FREHD-eh-Rihk
- Variations: Fredrick
- Namesakes: Lynne Frederick, an English actress appearing in Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972). Jesse Frederick, an American composer who wrote themes for TV sitcoms like Full House.
- Popularity: Frederick is rare worldwide, primarily used in the U.S., and ranked 20th in Grenada in 2014.
Fuentes
Fuentes comes from the Spanish “fuente,” meaning “fountain.” It was also for many Spanish place names located “near a spring.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Fountains
- Pronunciation: FWEN-tes
- Variations: Fuente, Fuentez
- Namesakes: Daisy Fuentes, a Cuban-American TV host and MTV’s first Latina VJ. Pedro Fuentes, a Cuban weightlifter who competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Fuentes ranked 584th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 53rd in Cuba in 2014.
Gallardo
Gallardo is a less common example of Cuban last name based on the Germanic Gaillardo. It was first made up of “gail,” meaning “cheerful,” and “hard,” meaning brave.
- Origin: Cuban, German
- Meaning: Elegant, graceful
- Pronunciation: Gaey-AHR-dow
- Namesakes: José Miguel Gallardo, an acting governor of Puerto Rico, from 1940 to 1941. Ray Gallardo, an American director known for Cafe Con Leche.
- Popularity: Gallardo ranked 1,248th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 54th in Chile in 2014.
Gálvez
Gálvez means “son of Galve” and was used by Moorish leaders in Spanish history. Galvez is found the most in Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Cuba in the Caribbean world.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Galve
- Pronunciation: GAAL-vehz
- Variations: de Gálvez
- Namesakes: Gaspar Gálvez Burgos, a Spanish footballer for Atlético Madrid. Juan Manuel Gálvez, the president of Honduras from 1949 to 1954.
- Popularity: Gálvez is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 162nd in Chile in 2014.
Garcia
Though Garcia was first meant for a “descendant of Garcia,” it’s also linked with Gerald, meaning “rule of the spear” in German. Garcia is known as a popular medieval surname in Iberia, now Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Descendent of Garcia
- Pronunciation: Gahr-SEE-ah
- Variations: Garcicea
- Namesakes: Ana María García, a Cuban-Puerto Rican director known for the documentary La Operación (1982). Andy Garcia, a Cuban-American actor known for The Untouchables (1987).
- Popularity: Garcia ranked 47th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 5th in Cuba in 2014.
González
González’s origins include the Visigothic “guntho,” meaning “battle,” and “alf,” meaning “elf.” It appeared as Gundisalv but is best known in the Spanish-speaking world as González.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Blacksmith
- Pronunciation: Gohn-SAE-lehs
- Variations: Gonzáles
- Namesakes: Julio González, a Cuban boxer who competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Luis Ángel González, the President of Paraguay from 1999 until 2003.
- Popularity: González ranked 62nd worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 2nd in Cuba in 2014.
Guerra
Guerra means “war” in Spanish, yet was a nickname for a “belligerent person” or a “soldier.” Other medieval names once included Guerra, like Vinciguerra.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: War-like
- Pronunciation: GWEH-rah
- Variations: Guerrera
- Namesakes: Wendy Guerra, a Cuban writer of “Platea a oscuras” in 1987. José Guerra, a Cuban diver and gold medalist at the 2006 Central American Games.
- Popularity: Guerra ranked 699th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 24th in Cuba in 2014.
Guevara
Guevarra was known as a place “overgrown with ferns” in Spain. It’s associated with the Basque “ebar,” meaning “fernery,” but Guevara is better remembered for Che Guevara.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Guevara
- Pronunciation: Geh-VAA-raa
- Variations: Guevera
- Namesakes: Ernesto “Che” Guevara, an Argentine Marxist leader of the Cuban Revolution. Samuel Guevara, an American wrestler and three-time AEW TNT Champion.
- Popularity: Guevara ranked 935th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 123rd in Cuba in 2014.
Hernández
Hernández means “son of Hernando” and is the Spanish form of the Old German Ferdinand.” It’s made up of the Germanic “farð,” meaning “journey,” and “nanð,” meaning “courage.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Hernando
- Pronunciation: Her-NAEN-dehz
- Variations: Hernandes
- Namesakes: Ana Hernández, a Cuban basketball player who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Iliana Hernández, a Cuban correspondent for CiberCuba.
- Popularity: Hernández ranked 56th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 4th in Cuba in 2014.
Ibarra
Ibarra is one of several Basque-influenced Cuban surnames and means “valley.” It was given to someone “from Ibarra,” near a “stream valley.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Plain by the river
- Pronunciation: Iy-BAAR-ah
- Variations: Ybarra
- Namesakes: Abelardo Colomé Ibarra, the Cuban Minister of the Interior from 1989 to 2015. Manuel Ibarra, a Chilean footballer for Coquimbo Unido.
- Popularity: Ibarra ranked 991st worldwide and is primarily used in Mexico, ranking 70th in 2014.
Iglesias
Iglesias means “churches” in Spanish, so was naturally first given to a “dweller near a church.” It originated from the Latin “ecclesia” and became a popular name for many towns across Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Churches
- Pronunciation: Ih-GLAEY-see-Ahs
- Variations: Iglesia
- Namesakes: Julio Iglesias, a Spanish singer and the most successful Spanish singer worldwide. José Iglesias, a Cuban baseball player for the Boston Red Sox.
- Popularity: Iglesias is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Spain, and ranked 135th in Cuba in 2014.
Infante
Infante as a place name is quite prevalent across Spain and is based on the Latin “infans,” meaning “child.” The “Infante” was a title given to the child of the Spanish ruling monarch or someone with a “royal” personality.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Child
- Pronunciation: In-FAAN-tey
- Variations: Infantes
- Namesakes: Omar Infante, a Venezuelan baseball player for the Detroit Tigers. Pedro Infante, a Mexican actor awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.
- Popularity: Infante is rare worldwide, mainly used in Venezuela, and ranked 220th in Cuba in 2014.
Jardinez
Jardinez is the Spanish plural of “jardín,” meaning “garden.” It was used for a person living near a garden or a gardener. Jardinez is consistently the most common in Mexico and Cuba.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Gardens
- Pronunciation: Haar-DIY-nehz
- Variations: Jardines
- Popularity: Jardinez is very rare worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 857th in Cuba in 2014.
Labrada
Labrada is a unique place name found in Galicia and is based on the Spanish phrase “tierra labrada,” meaning “cultivated land.” Though popular in Cuba, Labrada is not as well known as it once was in Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Cultivated land
- Pronunciation: Laa-BRAH-daa
- Popularity: Labrada is rare worldwide and mostly used in Cuba, where it ranked 104th in 2014.
Lago
Lago is the name of several Spanish villages and comes from the Latin “lacus,” meaning a “lake” or “pond.” Like other Cuban family names, Lago comes from a stand-out part of the natural world.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Lake
- Pronunciation: LAA-gow
- Variations: Lagu
- Namesakes: Nais Lago, an Italian actress appearing in 1860 (1934). Anders Lago, the former mayor of Södertälje, Sweden.
- Popularity: Lago is rare worldwide, mainly used in the Ivory Coast, and ranked 290th in Cuba in 2014.
Ledesma
There are locales called Ledesma in the Spanish provinces of La Rioja, Salamanca, and Soria. It may be associated with an ancient Celtic word meaning “broad” and “wide.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Broad
- Pronunciation: Leh-DEHZ-maa
- Variations: Ledezma
- Namesakes: Ish Ledesma, an American musician with the band Company B. Jorge Ledesma, an Argentine golfer and winner of the 1967 Argentine Amateur Championship.
- Popularity: Ledesma is uncommon worldwide and primarily used in Argentina, ranking 45th in 2014.
Leyva
Leyva is directly related to the Latin “levamen,” meaning “consoler.” It was first used to “put forth the law” when referring to Christian law in Muslim Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Latin
- Meaning: Consoler
- Pronunciation: LAEY-vah
- Variations: Leiva
- Namesakes: Danell Leyva, a Cuban–American gymnast and the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist. Teresa Leyva, the 1982 Colombian Women’s Chess Champion.
- Popularity: Leyva is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 41st in Cuba in 2014.
Lima
Lima was a surname given to someone “from Lima,” known as a “place of lime trees.” Though the Latin “lima” means a “metal filing instrument,” it’s more closely linked to lime trees.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Lima
- Pronunciation: LEE-maa
- Variations: Limon
- Namesakes: José Lezama Lima, a Cuban writer whose novel Paradiso was voted one of the best novels of the 20th-century by El Mundo. Fernanda Lima, a Brazilian TV presenter on MTV Brasil.
- Popularity: Lima ranked 281st worldwide and is mainly used in Brazil, where it ranked 21st in 2014.
López
In Spanish, López was given to a “son of Lope or Lupe.” It derives from the Latin “lupus,” meaning “wolf,” and is one of the most famous Spanish surnames of all time.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Lupe
- Pronunciation: LOW-pehs
- Variations: Lóbez
- Namesakes: Yeimer López, a Cuban runner and gold medalist at the 2007 Pan American Games. Gerardo I. Lopez, the former CEO and President of AMC Theatres.
- Popularity: López ranked 59th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked number one in Guatemala in 2014.
Madrigal
Madrigal was a Spanish surname for “one from Madrigal” and first appeared in Castile. It’s associated with the Latin “mandra,” meaning “shepherd,” but is linked to the Basque “madariaga,” meaning “pear tree.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Pear orchard
- Pronunciation: Mah-drih-GAAL
- Variations: Madrid
- Namesakes: Diego Madrigal, a Costa Rican footballer for Sporting San Jose. Michelle Madrigal, a Filipino-American finalist in the series Star Circle Quest.
- Popularity: Madrigal is rare worldwide, mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 309th in Cuba in 2014.
Marin
Marin dates back to the ancient Roman Martius, meaning “of the sea.” It’s based on place names in Spain called Marin, yet it’s sometimes related to a sailor.
- Origin: Cuban, Latin
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Pronunciation: Maa-RIYN
- Variations: Marino
- Namesakes: Angel Marin, the Vice President of Bulgaria from 2002 to 2012. Rafael Marín, a Spanish comic book writer known for the Fantastic Four Vol.3 in 2001.
- Popularity: Marin ranked 586th worldwide and is mainly used in Colombia, where it ranked 33rd in 2014.
Marrero
Marrero is a specific occupational name in Spain for a “stone breaker.” It uses the root “marra,” meaning “hammer,” and was used for a seller of sledgehammers.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Stonebreaker
- Pronunciation: Maa-REHR-ow
- Variations: Marrera
- Namesakes: Diosdado González Marrero, a Cuban dissident called a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. Connie Marrero, a Cuban baseball player for the Washington Senators.
- Popularity: Marrero is rare worldwide and primarily used in Cuba, ranking 51st in 2014.
Martinez
Martinez means “son of Martin,” but is based on the Latin Martinus, relating to Mars, the god of war. It’s one of the most prolific Spanish surnames that found its way to the Americas.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Martin
- Pronunciation: MAAR-tiy-Nehs
- Variations: Martines
- Namesakes: Ray Martínez, an American musician who helped found the Miami Sound. Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, the president of El Salvador from 1931 to 1934.
- Popularity: Martinez ranked 63rd worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 6th in Cuba in 2014.
Matos
Matos refers to a “dweller near a place overgrown with briars.” It’s found all over Spain and is historically associated with the Kingdom of León.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Brushwood scrub
- Pronunciation: MAA-tohs
- Variations: Mattos
- Namesakes: Ángel Matos, a Cuban taekwondo athlete and gold medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Luis Palés Matos, a Puerto Rican poet known for bringing the Afro-Cuban movement into being.
- Popularity: Matos ranked 1,033rd worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 55th in Cuba in 2014.
Medina
Medina also means anyone who has “returned from the market” and is the name of Islam’s holiest city. Medina is among the 30th most popular Hispanic last names still around.
- Origin: Cuban, Arabic
- Meaning: Dweller near the market
- Pronunciation: Meh-DIYN-ah
- Namesakes: Leonardo Medina, a Uruguayan footballer for Rampla Juniors. Ana Medina, the Venezuelan ambassador to Poland since 2019.
- Popularity: Medina ranked 284th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 18th in Venezuela in 2014.
Mijares
In many Spanish locales, “mijar” refers to “maize” or “corn” crops. It’s considered a noble surname for a Spanish family who owned the land where the maize grew.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Field of corn
- Pronunciation: MEE-hah-Reys
- Variations: Mihares
- Namesakes: Cristian Mijares, a Mexican boxer and a two-time super flyweight champion. José Mijares, a Venezuelan baseball player for the San Francisco Giants.
- Popularity: Mijares is rare worldwide, mostly used in Venezuela, and ranked 888th in Cuba in 2014.
Mirabal
Mirabel has Aragonese origins in Spain as Miraval. It’s made up of the Spanish “mirar,” meaning “to admire,” and “vall,” meaning “valley.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: View the valley
- Pronunciation: MEE-rah-Bael
- Variations: Mirabel
- Namesakes: Robert Mirabal, a Pueblo-American musician who won a 2006 Grammy award for Best Native American Music Album. Jesús Mirabal, a Cuban decathlete and gold medalist at the 1974 Caribbean Games.
- Popularity: Mirabal is rare worldwide, mainly used in Venezuela, and ranked 304th in Cuba in 2014.
Montalbán
Montalbán is interchangeable with its Spanish variation Montalván since both are based on place names throughout Spain. It derives from the Latin “montem albanum,” meaning “white mountain,” as a site worthy to behold.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: White mountain
- Pronunciation: Mahn-TAAL-bahn
- Variations: Montalván
- Namesakes: Ricardo Montalbán, a Mexican-American actor known for the Planet of the Apes film series. Isabel Pérez Montalbán, a Spanish poet who won the 1992 Prize Young Literature of the City of Málaga.
- Popularity: Montalbán is rare worldwide and primarily used in the Philippines, ranking 982nd in 2014.
Mora
Mora indicates someone “from Mora” in Spain but also means “black mulberry tree.” It’s often thought to mean “blackberry” or “dweller at the moor or heath.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Blackberry
- Pronunciation: MOHR-ah
- Variations: de la Mora
- Namesakes: Tiriel Mora, an Australian actor appearing in the series Frontline. Manuel Argüello Mora, a Costa Rican writer known for Misterio (1888).
- Popularity: Mora ranked 620th worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 86th in Cuba in 2014.
Naranjo
Though Naranjo means “orange” in Spanish, it was a surname for a person “who lived by an orange grove.” Naranjo became the name for towns in Spain and Latin America, meaning “orange trees and its wood.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Orange tree
- Pronunciation: Naa-RAAN-houw
- Namesakes: José Naranjo, a Spanish footballer for Jagiellonia Białystok. Lisandro Duque Naranjo, a Colombian director known for The Invisible Children (2001).
- Popularity: Naranjo is uncommon worldwide, mainly used in Colombia, and ranked 90th in Cuba in 2014.
Nuñez
Nuñez derives from the given name Nuño, from the Latin “nonus,” meaning “ninth.” It also referred to a “grandfather” in Latin but is best known for its numerical associations.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Ninth
- Pronunciation: NOON-yehz
- Variations: Nunes
- Namesakes: Emilio Núñez Portuondo, the 13th Prime Minister of Cuba in 1958. Matt Nunez, an American floorball player who competed at the 2016 World Floorball Championships.
- Popularity: Nuñez is rare worldwide, primarily used in the U.S., and ranked 34th in Belize in 2014.
Obregon
Like most last names in Cuba, Obregin comes from a place name and first appeared in Santander, Spain. It may be linked to the Galician “obriga,” meaning “obligation,” or Portuguese “obraguem,” meaning “work.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Obregon
- Pronunciation: Oh-breay-GOUN
- Namesakes: Álvaro Obregón, the 46th President of Mexico from 1920 to 1924. Alfonso Obregón, an Ecuadorian footballer for LDU Quito.
- Popularity: Obregon is rare worldwide, mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 420th in Cuba in 2014.
Ojeda
There’s a village named Ojeda in Spain known for its valley and the river that runs through it. Someone from this picturesque place was likely called Ojeda to show off their beautiful landscape.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Valley of Ojeda
- Pronunciation: Oh-HHEY-daa
- Namesakes: Santos Ojeda, a Cuban-American pianist who performed with the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra. Eddie Ojeda, an American guitarist for the band Twisted Sister.
- Popularity: Ojeda ranked 1,310th worldwide, is mainly used in Argentina, and ranked 49th in Paraguay in 2014.
Ortega
Ortega has multiple meanings, including “dweller at the sign of the grouse.” It first appeared in Castile, Spain, and may relate to the Latin “urtica,” meaning “nettle.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Nettle
- Pronunciation: Aor-TEY-gaa
- Variations: Ortego, de Ortega
- Namesakes: Orlando Ortega, a Cuban-Spanish track and field athlete and silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics. Rogelio Ortega, the 1966 Cuban Chess Champion.
- Popularity: Ortega ranked 385th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 20th in Puerto Rico in 2014.
Pacheco
Pacheco originated as the Latin Pacciaecus, which became a Basque name based on the Spanish Francisco. Pacheco is a unique nickname quite popular in places like Venezuela today.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Freeman
- Pronunciation: Pah-CHEY-kow
- Variations: Pachico
- Namesakes: Carlos Pacheco, a Spanish comics artist who worked on the Spider-Man magazine Dark Guard. Francisco Pacheco, a Venezuelan parranda singer for the group Un Solo Pueblo.
- Popularity: Pacheco ranked 559th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 66th in Venezuela in 2014.
Páez
Páez derives from Peláez, meaning “son of Pelayo” in Spanish. Pelayo itself is the Spanish variation of the Latin Pelagius, meaning “the sea.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Open sea
- Pronunciation: PAEY-ehs
- Variations: Baez
- Namesakes: Richard Paez, a senior circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals since 2021. Federico Páez, the President of Ecuador from 1935 to 1937.
- Popularity: Páez ranked 1,855th worldwide, is mainly used in Colombia, and ranked 77th in Argentina in 2014.
Pedroso
Pedroso first appeared as a surname in Castile, Spain, dating back to Visigothic times. The Visigoths were a Germanic tribe that conquered much of Spain during the 5th century.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Stony
- Pronunciation: Peh-DROW-soh
- Variations: Pedrosa
- Namesakes: Carlos Pedroso, a Cuban fencer and bronze medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Regino Pedroso, a Cuban poet awarded the 1939 National Poetry Prize of Cuba.
- Popularity: Pedrosa is rare worldwide, primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 207th in Cuba in 2014.
Peña
Peña originated in Galicia, Spain, as a surname for someone living “on rocky land.” In Spanish, it means “rock,” “crag,” or “cliff,” and ranked 42nd among Hispanic surnames in 2017.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Rock
- Pronunciation: PEAY-naa
- Variations: de la Peña
- Namesakes: Elizabeth Peña, an American actress known for Jacob’s Ladder (1990). Alfredo Peña, a Venezuelan journalist and director of the newspaper El Nacional.
- Popularity: Peña is uncommon worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 68th in the Dominican Republic in 2014.
Pereira
Pereira was the name for multiple Spanish locales everywhere, from Lugo and Compostela to Mondonedo. It derives from “pera,” meaning “fruit of a pear tree,” and was given to owners of a pear orchard.
- Origin: Cuban, Portuguese
- Meaning: Pear tree
- Pronunciation: Peh-REHR-ah
- Variations: Pereyra
- Namesakes: Danilo Pereira, a Portuguese footballer for Paris Saint-Germain. Virginia Pereira Álvarez, the first woman to take a medicine course in Venezuela.
- Popularity: Pereira ranked 90th worldwide and is mostly used in Brazil, where it ranked 3rd in 2014.
Pérez
Pérez means “descendent of Pedro,” the Spanish form of Peter. The Spanish suffix “-ez” denotes a “descendant of” among many Cuban surnames. Pérez is also the 4th most common surname in Israel.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Son of Pedro
- Pronunciation: Peh-REZ
- Variations: Peretz
- Namesakes: Cionel Pérez, a Cuban baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles. Felipe Pérez Roque, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba from 1999 to 2009.
- Popularity: Pérez ranked 77th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 3rd in Cuba in 2014.
Quintana
Quintana was first given to those living on a “country estate.” There is also a village called Quinta in Spain, and Quintana is also associated with “quinto,” Spanish for “one-fifth.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Country estate
- Pronunciation: Kiyn-TAA-nah
- Variations: Quintanna
- Namesakes: Diego Quintana, an Argentine footballer for Skoda Xanthi F.C. Enrique Fuentes Quintana, the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain from 1977 to 1979.
- Popularity: Quintana ranked 1,556th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 67th in Cuba in 2014.
Revuelta
Revuelta refers to a “curve in a road” or “watercourse in a ravine.” A more interesting origin includes a group of knights who defended the town of Santoña in northern Spain against invading Muslims. They were given Revuelta as a surname meaning “revolutionary.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Revolutionary
- Pronunciation: Reh-vuw-EHL-taa
- Namesakes: Álex Revuelta, a Spanish footballer for SE Penya Independent.
- Popularity: Revuelta is rare worldwide and mainly used in Spain, ranking 808th in 2014.
Reyes
Reyes comes from the Latin “regis,” meaning “royal,” and means “king” in Spanish. In Arabic, “reyes” indicates a “head of an organization,” so being a leader is key.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Kings
- Pronunciation: REAY-yehs
- Variations: Rey, de Reyes
- Namesakes: Ricky Reyes, a Cuban-American wrestler with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Nap Reyes, a Cuban baseball player for the New York Giants.
- Popularity: Reyes ranked 174th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 3rd in the Philippines in 2014.
Rios
Rios is based on the Spanish “rio,” meaning “river.” It’s the plural for a “dweller near the river” and is the name of several locales in Galicia.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Rivers
- Pronunciation: RIY-ows
- Variations: de los Ríos
- Namesakes: Zury Ríos, the 2nd Vice President of the Congress of Guatemala from 2000 to 2004. Yolanda Ríos, a Venezuelan–Spanish actress appearing on the game show “Un, dos, tres… responda otra vez.”
- Popularity: Rios ranked 471st worldwide, is mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 36th in Argentina in 2014.
Rodríguez
Rodríguez is taken from the given name Rodrigo, meaning “glorious ruler.” The Germanic Visigoths brought the word “hrodric,” meaning “famous power,” to 5th-century Spain.
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Famous power
- Pronunciation: Raod-RUIY-gehs
- Variations: Rodrigues
- Namesakes: Marcos A. Rodriguez, a Cuban-American CEO of the American media outlet KLTY in Texas. Yulianne Rodríguez, a Cuban basketball player and gold medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games.
- Popularity: Rodríguez ranked 57th worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked number one in Cuba in 2014.
Rojas
Rojas represents the feminine plural variation of “rojo,” meaning “red” in Spanish. It originated with the Latin “russus” and was given to someone with a “ruddy complexion” or one living near “red earth.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Red
- Pronunciation: ROW-haas
- Variations: Rojo, Roja
- Namesakes: Aguelmis Rojas, a Cuban long-distance runner who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Noel Guzmán Boffil Rojas, a Cuban painter and winner at the 1978 Salón de Marinas prize.
- Popularity: Rojas ranked 222nd worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 3rd in Chile in 2014.
Roman
Roman dates back to the actual Roman empire’s influence in Spain as a way to call someone “a Roman.” It arose from the Latin Romanus and is a popular Romanian surname.
- Origin: Cuban, Latin
- Meaning: From Rome
- Pronunciation: ROW-maan
- Variations: Romans
- Namesakes: Alison Roman, an American food writer for Bon Appétit. Herminia Roman, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2007 to 2016.
- Popularity: Roman ranked 958th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 92nd in Spain in 2014.
Roque
Roque is a place name in the Spanish Canary Islands. It’s also a form of Roquer, based on the Catalan “roca,” meaning “rock.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Roque
- Pronunciation: ROW-kaey
- Variations: La Roque
- Namesakes: Marta Beatriz Roque, the Cuban founder of the Cuban Institute of Independent Economists. Christine Roque, a French singer known for the single “Premiers frissons d’amour” (1987).
- Popularity: Roque ranked 1,545th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 126th in Cuba in 2014.
Saavedra
Saavedra comes from the Basque “sala verra,” indicating a grand “house or palace.” It sometimes refers to an “old hall” and is the Basque equivalent of the Spanish Salavieja.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Palace
- Pronunciation: Saa-VEH-drah
- Variations: Savedra
- Namesakes: Catalina Saavedra, a Chilean actress known for The Maid (2009). Igor Saavedra, a Chilean guitarist known for the Vectorial Synthesis technique.
- Popularity: Saavedra ranked 1,425th worldwide, is primarily used in Peru, and ranked 60th in Chile in 2014.
Santana
Santana is a Spanish surname meaning “Santa Ana,” located in Cáceres, Spain. It references the Catholic St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. During the crusades, Spanish knights of the order of Santa Ana received the surname for their bravery.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Saint Anne
- Pronunciation: Saan-TAHN-ah
- Namesakes: Dennis Santana, a Dominican baseball player for the New York Mets. Luan Santana, a Brazilian singer-songwriter whose 2009 album Ao Vivo sold over 100,000 copies.
- Popularity: Santana ranked 433rd worldwide, is mostly used in Brazil, and ranked 46th in Cuba in 2014.
Sarduy
Sarduy is one of many Basque Cuban family names and translates to “trees of apple.” It’s a Castillan variation of Sardui, made up of “sarri,” meaning “dense,” and “dui,” meaning “much.”
- Origin: Cuban
- Meaning: Apple trees
- Pronunciation: Saar-DUW-iy
- Variations: Sardui
- Namesakes: Maydenia Sarduy, a Cuban archer and bronze medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games. Severo Sarduy, a Cuban poet and winner of the 1972 Medici Prize.
- Popularity: Sarduy is rare worldwide and mainly used in Cuba, where it ranked 357th in 2014.
Sevilla
Sevilla is clearly linked to the capital city of Seville in Andalusia, Spain. Its name may have been influenced by the Phoenicians, who arrived there in the ancient world.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: From Seville
- Pronunciation: Seh-VIY-yaa
- Variations: Sevillia
- Namesakes: Carmen Sevilla, a Spanish actress known for Vengeance (1958). Ernesto Sevilla, a Spanish screenwriter for Paramount Comedy/Comedy Central.
- Popularity: Sevilla is rare worldwide, primarily used in the Philippines, and ranked 56th in Nicaragua in 2014.
Silveira
In Portuguese, Silveira means “dweller in, or near, a wood” and emphasizes “briar trees.” It’s inspired by the Latin “silva,” meaning “wood,” and is the name of many places in Galicia, Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Portuguese
- Meaning: Wood briar
- Pronunciation: Sihl-VEY-raa
- Variations: Silva, Silvera
- Namesakes: Leonor da Silveira, a Portuguese actress appearing in The Cannibals (1988). Hugo Silveira, a Uruguayan footballer for Rentistas.
- Popularity: Silveira ranked 1,542nd worldwide, is mostly used in Brazil, and ranked 32nd in Uruguay in 2014.
Tamayo
Tamayo means “grass” in the Basque language and sometimes refers to a “life of cattle.” There is a town called Tamayo in the Burgos region of Northern Spain.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Country villager
- Pronunciation: Taa-MAEY-ow
- Variations: Tomayo
- Namesakes: Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, a Cuban cosmonaut and the first African heritage person to travel to space. Misael Tamayo Hernández, the Mexican founder of El Despertar de la Costa.
- Popularity: Tamayo is uncommon worldwide, mainly used in the Philippines, and ranked 49th in Cuba in 2014.
Torres
Torres refers to any “dweller at, or near, a tower or spire.” It derives from the Latin “turris,” meaning “tower,” ranked 50th for U.S. surnames and 11th for Spanish surnames in 2016.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Towers
- Pronunciation: TAOR-ehz
- Variations: Torre, de Torres
- Namesakes: Gina Torres, an American actress known for the series Firefly (2002 to 2003). Tico Torres, an American drummer for the band Bon Jovi.
- Popularity: Torres ranked 154th worldwide, is primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 12th in Colombia and Peru in 2014.
Valladares
The Valladares family is an old, noble clan whose name was inspired by the Spanish “valladar,” meaning “military barricade.” It first appeared in northern Portugal near Galicia.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Fence, stockade
- Pronunciation: Vaal-ah-DAAR-ehs
- Variations: Valadares
- Namesakes: Armando Valladares, a Cuban-American poet and political prisoner in the Cuban dissident movement. Noel Valladares, a Honduran footballer for Olimpia.
- Popularity: Valladares is rare worldwide, primarily used in Honduras, and ranked 287th in Cuba in 2014.
Vega
Vega means “dweller in the meadow” and is the name of about 40 villages in Spain. It comes from the Latin “vadica,” meaning “land” with a “wide-open plain.”
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: One who lives on the plain
- Pronunciation: VAEY-gaa
- Variations: Vegas
- Namesakes: Silverio Vega, a Cuban-American member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006 to 2008. Paulina Vega, a Colombian model, crowned Miss Universe 2014.
- Popularity: Vega ranked 463rd worldwide, is mainly used in Mexico, and ranked 47th in Cuba in 2014.
Vives
Vives is based on the Latin “vivas,” a medieval blessing meaning “may you live long.” It appears as a surname in much of Latin America and the U.S.
- Origin: Cuban, Latin
- Meaning: May you live
- Pronunciation: VEE-vehs
- Namesakes: Salvador de Vives, the Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico, from 1840 to 1842. Gérard Vivès, a French TV co-host of the game show Le Juste Prix (2009 to 2011).
- Popularity: Vives is rare worldwide, primarily used in Spain, and ranked 1,063rd in Cuba in 2014.
Zayas
Zayas derives from the Basque “zai,” meaning “watchman” or “guard.” It was given to someone from Zayas, Spain, and has Andalusian and Aragonese origins.
- Origin: Cuban, Spanish
- Meaning: Guard
- Pronunciation: ZAEY-ahs
- Namesakes: Ada Zayas-Bazán, a children’s writer known for Pupa. David Zayas, a Puerto Rican actor known for the series Dexter.
- Popularity: Zayas is rare worldwide and mostly used in Cuba, running 163rd in 2014.
Cuban Family Names FAQs
Why Do Cubans Have Two Last Names?
Like names in many Spanish-speaking cultures, Cuban last names include that of the father followed by that of the mother. Even when Cuban women marry, they keep their maiden names or use “de” before adding their husband’s surname, as in de Martinez.
What Is a Common Cuban Last Name?
Rodriguez is the most common of Cuban surnames and was rated number one in 2014. Its origins are Spanish, and it means “son of Rodrigo.” The suffix “-ez” makes Rodriguez patronymic, while it’s very popular throughout Spain and Latin America.
