25 Baby Names for Girls Inspired by Mexican Saints to Celebrate The Day of the Dead

Andrew Kreeger

4 years ago

Día de Los Muertos and Día de Muertos are two names for the same holiday that’s widely celebrated in Mexico. In English, you’ll commonly hear it referred to as the Day of the Dead. The multi-day celebration involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and helping sustain their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awaken and rejoice with them

Before Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually, it was associated with October 31, November 1, and November 2 to coincide with the Western Christian Allhallowtide (All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day). Today, it’s a mix of indigenous and Catholic traditions and a unifying national holiday for the people of Mexico. We decided to honor this holiday with a list of baby names for girls inspired by Mexican saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God.

25. Carmen

Servant of God María del Carmen López Guzmán (María Yolanda of Our Lady of Guadalupe) was Professed Religious of the Servants of the Holy Trinity and the Poor from Jalisco, Mexico. Carmen is a form of the Hebrew, Carmel which also gives us other excellent names like Carmelita and Carmella. Carmen means “God’s vineyard” or “garden.”

24. María

In 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized St. María Natividad Venegas de la Torre (María of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament). Patronage of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Guadalajara, this individual established her own small community of women who were devoted to the care of the sick.

23. Anastasia

St. Anastasia Guadalupe García Zavala (María Guadalupe) was the co-founder of the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor. Pope Francis later canonized her as a saint on 12 May 2013 in Saint Peter’s Square. Her birth name, Anastasia is an incredible one. You’ll also find it spelled Anastacia by Mexcian parents both mean “resurrection.”

22. Lupita

We’re not through with St. Anastasia Guadalupe García Zavala! She dedicated herself to the care of ill people and was noted for her compassion and faith. She came to be known as “Mother Lupita.” Lupita and Lupe are diminutive forms of Guadalupe. The name means “the river of the wolf.” It holds double significance because of Our Lady Guadalupe and her miraculous appearance(s).

21. Vicenta

Blessed Vicenta Chávez Orozco (María Vicenta of Saint Dorothy), Founder of the Servants of the Holy Trinity and the Poor. Orozco was beatified made a Servant of God in 1978 under Pope Paul VI and later named as Venerable under Pope John Paul II in 1991 who also beatified her in 1997. Vicenta is a Spanish name that means “victor.”

20. Manuela

Blessed Manuela de Jesús Arias Espinosa (María Inés Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament), Founder of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and the Missionaries of Christ for the Universal Church, was beatified in Mexico on 21 April 2012 with Cardinal Angelo Amato presiding over the celebration on the behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Manuela is the Spanish form of Emanuel that has Hebrew origins. It means “God is with us.”

19. Concepción

Concepción Cabrera de Armida (María Concepción Cabrera Arias de Armida) is also known as onchita Cabrera de Armida or Conchita Cabrera Arias de Armida, and often simply as Conchita. She was beatified in Mexico City in 2019, as the first Mexican laywoman to receive this recognition. Concepción and Conchita are both wonderful. We’re going with Concepción, a Spanish name that refers to the Virgin Mary and means “conception.”

18. Luisa

Venerable María Luisa de la Peña Navarro de Rojas (María Luisa Josefa [Luisita] of the Most Blessed Sacrament), Founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Guadalajara and the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles (followed by 12 other Carmels in the US), was known as Mother Luisita. Luisa is a Spanish name that means “famed warrior” or “light.”

17. Magdalena

Venerable María Patricia Magdalena Pátlan Sánchez (Humilde of the Child Jesus), Professed Religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, was declared venerable in 2017. Magdalena and its diminutive, Lena, are both gorgeous names. Magdalena, of course, is the surname of Mary Magdalene and means “one of Magdala.”

16. Eugenia

Servant of God María Eugenia González Lafón (María Eugenia of the Holy Trinity), Founder of the Catechist Sisters of Mary Most Holy, Order of Saint Benedict, bore a unique and gorgeous name, Eugenia. Eugenia refers to St. Eugenia of Rome, and the name actually has Greek origins and means “well-born.”

15. Dolores

Servant of God María Dolores Echevarría Esparza, Cofounder of the Missionaries of Jesus the Priest, was active in Jalisco and Mexico City. Dolores is a beautiful Spanish name that means “sorrows.” This fabulous moniker also brings us Lolita, Lola, and Loli.

14. Gloria

Servant of God Gloria Esperanza Elizondo García (Gloría Maria of Jesus), Professed Religious of the Catechist Sisters of the Poor, was a beloved Mexican nun. Gloria is a classic that means “immortal glory.” This would be a lovely name for your little baby.

13. Regina

Servant of God María Regina Sánchez Muñoz, (Mother Mary Amada del Niño Jesus) Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe, labored to make children’s lives better in a difficult time for the church in Mexico. Regina was the name of an early Christian saint and has Latin origins that mean “queen.”

12. Martha

Servant of God Martha Christlieb Ibarrola, Cofounder of the Sisters of the True Cross, Daughters of the Church, was the oldest of her eleven siblings. She stood out for her gifts as a teacher and local superior of the Puebla community. Martha is a name that’s sometimes spelled as Marta and means “lady.”

11. Angélica

Servant of God María Concepcíon Álvarez Icaza (María Angélica), Professed Religious of the Visitation Nuns, lived in Mexico City. Angélica is a name with origins in many traditions, but it means “angelic” or “messenger of God.”

10. Margarita

Servant of God María Cristina Olimpia Macotela Durán (Margarita María), Professed Religious of the Capuchin Poor Clares of the Blessed Sacrament, was active in both Mexico City and Puebla. Margarita is a name that means “pearl” and is associated with the daisy flower in Spanish. The diminutive, Rita, is also very nice.

9. Marina

Servant of God Marina Francisca Cinta Sarrelangue de Balmori, Married Layperson of the Diocese of Coatzacoalcos, had a family that exemplified a life of Christian contentment. She also had a fantastic name, Marina. The name can be found in a number of languages and traditions. Marina has Latin origins and means “of the sea.”

8. Yolanda

Servant of God María del Carmen López Guzmán (María Yolanda of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Professed Religious of the Servants of the Holy Trinity and the Poor, lived and did good works in Jalisco. Yolanda is a vintage name that’s never lost its appeal. The name means “violet flower” and Lani, Yola, and Yolandita are surely attractive nicknames to go along with it.

7. Inés

We’re returning to some previously mentioned, to further suss out these gorgeous names. Blessed Manuela de Jesús Arias Espinosa (María Inés Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament), who we told you about earlier and noted the name, Manuela, also carried the name Inés which is Spanish by way of Greek and means “holy” or “pure.”

6. Josefa

Mother Luisita, who we mentioned before and associated with the name Luisa, had another name we absolutely love, Josefa. Josefa or the even more femme form, Josefina are two wonderful choices. This charming Spanish name means “God will increase.”

5. Patricia

In addition to Magdelena, Venerable María Patricia Magdalena Pátlan Sánchez also carried the name Patricia which is a cross-cultural hit these days. Patricia means “noble.” You’ll find this name throughout Europe and across the Americas.

4. Esperanza

Servant of God Gloria Esperanza Elizondo García who we told you about before in connection to the name Gloria, also has the glorious name, Esperanza. Esperanza is a Spanish name which means “hope.” Esperanza is the name of the main character in the novel The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, about a young Latina growing up in Chicago. Nicknames like Palancha, Zaza, Pera, and Anza are common and very cute.

3. Cristina

Servant of God María Cristina Olimpia Macotela Durán (Margarita María) who showcased the name Margarita for us earlier, gets a revisit for the name Cristina. The name means “anointed” or “follower of Christ” or “bearer of Christ.” Cristina is a well-known name that’s been a favorite for parents for centuries.

2. Francisca

Servant of God Marina Francisca Cinta Sarrelangue de Balmori, brought us the name Marina earlier on this list. Now, we’re going back to highlight the name, Francisca. Francisca dates back to the Middle Ages and it can be translated to mean “French man” or “free man.” Chicha, Paca, Paquita, and Quica are all common nicknames for this name in Spanish.

1. Teresa

María Inés Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament brings us yet another name for inspiration, Teresa. Teresa is a name that can mean “gift of God” or “harvester.” This versatile name comes with a couple of dynamite nicknames, Tere, Maite or Mayte.

There you go! 25 baby names for girls inspired by some of Mexico’s most celebrated faithful. We hope you feel inspired by these beautiful, storied, names.