Cuban last names are not only aesthetically pleasing but also come with a rich cultural history attached to them.
Hence, we bring to you a list of the top 50 Cuban surnames with their meanings and origins for you to take an informed decision!
The biggest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is located in the northern region of the Caribbean Sea with Havana as its capital.
Interestingly, the island country is known for its picturesque beaches, architectural marvels, rum, cigars, and its friendly people who have more than one last name because they believe in inheriting both their paternal and maternal last names.
Top 50 Cuban Last Names With Their Meanings
- Acosta – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a village in Galicia, Spain. Meaning “from the oak tree.”
- Alfonso – Spanish origin, derived from the given name Alfonso, meaning “noble and ready.”
- Alvarez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Álvaro.”
- Arango – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a village in Asturias, Spain.
- Batista – Spanish origin, derived from the given name Batista, meaning “baptist.”
- Betancourt – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in northern Spain, Betancuría.
- Cabrera – Spanish origin, derived from the word “cabra,” meaning “goat.”
- Calvo – Spanish origin, meaning “bald.”
- Castellanos – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in Spain, meaning “from the town of Castellanos.”
- Cordero – Spanish origin, meaning “lamb.”
- Cruz – Spanish origin, meaning “cross.”
- Delgado – Spanish origin, meaning “thin” or “slender.”
- Diaz – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Diego.”
- Dominguez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Domingo.”
- Enriquez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Enrique.”
- Espinosa – Spanish origin, meaning “thorny.”
- Estevez – Spanish origin, meaning “from the region of Estévez.”
- Fernandez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Fernando.”
- Figueroa – Spanish origin, derived from the word “higuera,” meaning “fig tree.”
- Garcia – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “descendant of García.”
- Gonzalez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Gonzalo.”
- Gutierrez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Gutierre.”
- Hernandez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Hernando.”
- Herrera – Spanish origin, meaning “from the iron mines” or “ironworker.”
- Iglesias – Spanish origin, meaning “churches.”
- Jimenez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Jimeno.”
- Linares – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in Spain, Linares.
- Lopez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Lope.”
- Martinez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Martín.”
- Mendez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Mendo.”
- Morales – Spanish origin, meaning “mulberry tree.”
- Nunez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Nuño.”
- Ortega – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in Spain, meaning “from the town of Ortega.”
- Pacheco – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in Spain, Pacheco.
- Padron – Spanish origin, meaning “sign” or “token.”
- Paredes – Spanish origin, meaning “walls.”
- Quesada – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a town in Spain, meaning “from the town of Quesada.”
- Ramirez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Ramiro.”
- Rivera – Spanish origin, meaning “shore” or “riverbank.”
- Rodriguez – Spanish origin, patronymic surname meaning “son of Rodrigo.”
- Rojas – Spanish origin, meaning “red.”
- Santana – Spanish origin, meaning “Saint Anne.”
- Santos – Spanish origin, meaning “saints.”
- Torres – Spanish origin, meaning “towers.”
- Valdes – Spanish origin, meaning “from the valley.”
- Vargas – Spanish origin, meaning “shores” or “riverbank.”
- Velazquez – Spanish origin, meaning “little Velasco.”
- Vidal – Spanish origin, meaning “life.”
- Vila – Spanish origin, meaning “village.”
- Zamora – Spanish origin, derived from the name of a city in Spain, Zamora.
Also Read: 20+ Best Italian Last Names Starting With C (With Meanings)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a common Cuban last name?
Top 5 are as follows:
- Rodríguez – 301, 136.
- Pérez – 300,189.
- González – 262,311.
- Hernández – 215,593.
- García – 208,965. Source
Do Cubans have 2 last names?
In Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico, both men and women carry their two family names (first their father’s, and second their mother’s). Source
What is a rare Spanish last name?
Some of the uncommon and rare Spanish last names are:
- Bigotes
- Escarra
- Ladrón
- Lanzo
- Escobar.
Republic of Cuba República de Cuba (Spanish)
Do Cubans have Russian names?
Cubans also started giving their children names starting with Y inspired by Russian names such as Yuri, Yevgeny, and Yuliya.
Why are Cuban names so long?
Because the child is given the surnames of both parents Father and the mother’s surname.
How Do Cuban Last Names Work?
As aforementioned, Cuban last names come with a rich cultural history influenced by Spanish, European, German, french as well as Portuguese origin words.
Moreover, the placement of the words may wary for different people according to their choosing.
However, it is important to engage with this historical trivia before you select the names so that the culture is not lost.
Here’s hope you liked the list of the names and we made the choosing process a little easier for you!
Also Read: Top 100 Cool Gladiator Names For Babies (With Meanings)
Tinydale is on YouTube, Click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Pinterest