450+ Cuban Last Names & Their Meanings

Hey! Looking for Cuban last names? You’re in for a treat – these names are like little time capsules packed with amazing family stories. You know how some families have those cool traditions passed down through generations? Cuban surnames are exactly like that, each one carrying bits and pieces of history.

Let me tell you something cool about Cuban last names – they’re not just what you write on paperwork. Think of them more like family recipes, passed down with love and pride. Every time someone says their Cuban last name, they’re actually sharing a snippet of their family’s journey.

You know what’s really neat? These names tell us so much about where people came from. Some show Spanish roots (just like my friend Miguel, whose last name tells us his great-great-grandparents came from a tiny village in Spain), while others have hints of African heritage or even Chinese influences. Pretty amazing how one name can say so much, right?

By the way, if you’re into family names, you might want to check out Spanish last names too – they’re like cousins to Cuban surnames, and you’ll spot some fun connections!

What do you say we explore these names together? Trust me, by the time we’re done, you’ll be looking at last names in a whole new way – and maybe even discover something cool about your own family name!

Cuban Last Names (Most Common Overall)

• González (Origin: Spanish; Meaning: “Son of Gonzalo”)
• Rodríguez (Spanish; “Son of Rodrigo”)
• Pérez (Spanish; “Son of Pedro”)
• Hernández (Spanish; “Son of Hernando”)
• García (Spanish; “Bear-like” or “Young”)
• Martínez (Spanish; “Son of Martin”)
• López (Spanish; “Son of Lope”)
• Sánchez (Spanish; “Son of Sancho”)
• Ramírez (Spanish; “Son of Ramiro”)
• Torres (Spanish; “Towers” or “From the towers”)
• Díaz (Spanish; “Son of Diego”)
• Fernández (Spanish; “Son of Fernando”)
• Morales (Spanish; “Mulberry trees” or “Moral character”)
• Cruz (Spanish; “Cross”)
• Ruiz (Spanish; “Son of Ruy”)
• Alvarez (Spanish; “Son of Álvaro”)
• Jiménez (Spanish; “Son of Jimeno”)
• Vázquez (Spanish; “Son of Vasco”)
• Reyes (Spanish; “Kings”)
• Mendoza (Spanish; “Cold mountain”)

Looking for more Spanish-origin names? Check out Spanish boy names and Spanish girl names!

Cuban Surnames (Historical Significance)

• Céspedes (Origin: Spanish; Meaning: “From the cesped/lawn” – historically linked to Cuban independence)
• Maceo (African-Spanish; “Gift of God” – famous in Cuban revolutionary history)
• Gómez (Spanish; “Son of Gome” – prominent in Cuban military history)
• Batista (Portuguese-Spanish; “Baptist” – significant in Cuban political history)
• Castro (Spanish; “From the castle/fortress”)
• Cienfuegos (Spanish; “Hundred fires” – named after a major Cuban city)
• Machado (Portuguese-Spanish; “Axe wielder”)
• Aguilera (Spanish; “Place of eagles”)
• Quesada (Spanish; “From the cheese maker”)
• Valdés (Spanish; “From the valley”)
• Montero (Spanish; “Hunter” or “Mountain dweller”)
• Echeverría (Basque-Spanish; “New house”)
• Betancourt (French-Spanish; “From Béthencourt”)
• Agramonte (Spanish; “Great mountain”)
• Mestre (Spanish; “Master” or “Teacher”)
• Calvo (Spanish; “Bald” – historically prominent family name)
• Alonso (Spanish; “Ready for battle”)
• Borrego (Spanish; “Lamb” – traditional farming family)
• Cabrera (Spanish; “Goatherd”)
• Delgado (Spanish; “Thin/slender”)

Hey, speaking of historic names, you might want to check out medieval last names – some cool connections there!

Common Cuban Surnames (Modern Day)

• Rivera (Spanish; “Riverbank” – super popular today!)
• Medina (Arabic-Spanish; “City” – shows that cool mix of cultures)
• Santos (Spanish; “Saints”)
• Ortiz (Basque-Spanish; “Son of Ortun”)
• Silva (Portuguese-Spanish; “Forest”)
• Ponce (Spanish; “From Pontius”)
• Ramos (Spanish; “Branches”)
• Guerra (Spanish; “War”)
• Peña (Spanish; “Rock” or “Cliff”)
• Figueroa (Spanish; “Fig tree”)
• Toledo (Spanish; “City name”)
• Rojas (Spanish; “Red”)
• Vargas (Spanish; “Steep slope”)
• Acosta (Portuguese-Spanish; “From the coast”)
• Benítez (Spanish; “Son of Benedict”)
• Soto (Spanish; “Grove”)
• Campos (Spanish; “Fields”)
• Domínguez (Spanish; “Son of Domingo”)
• Navarro (Spanish; “From Navarre”)
• Moreno (Spanish; “Dark-haired/skinned”)

Want to explore more modern names? Take a peek at contemporary Hispanic naming traditions!

Popular Cuban Last Names (Modern Top Picks)

• Fuentes (Origin: Spanish; Meaning: “Fountains” or “Springs” – super common in Havana!)
• Núñez (Spanish; “Son of Nuño” – you’ll hear this one everywhere)
• Lima (Portuguese-Spanish; “Lime tree” – popular in coastal areas)
• Suárez (Spanish; “Son of Suero” – big family name)
• Estrada (Spanish; “Paved road” – lots of these folks in central Cuba)
• Iglesias (Spanish; “Churches”)
• Herrera (Spanish; “Blacksmith” – still common today)
• Blanco (Spanish; “White” or “Fair”)
• Miranda (Latin-Spanish; “Worthy of admiration”)
• Padilla (Spanish; “Small pan” – originally a baker’s name)
• Vega (Spanish; “Fertile plain”)
• Chávez (Spanish; “Son of Chave”)
• León (Spanish; “Lion” – pretty fierce, right?)
• Robles (Spanish; “Oaks”)
• Mesa (Spanish; “Table” or “Plateau”)
• Flores (Spanish; “Flowers”)
• Espinosa (Spanish; “Thorny” – from thorny places)
• Cordero (Spanish; “Lamb”)
• Pacheco (Portuguese-Spanish; “From Pacheca”)
• Barrera (Spanish; “Barrier” or “Gate keeper”)

Love these? Check out more Spanish-origin names for inspiration!

Popular Cuban Surnames (Historical Favorites)

• Montes (Spanish; “Mountains” – old family name)
• Parra (Spanish; “Grapevine” – traditional wine-making families)
• Cuesta (Spanish; “Slope” or “Hill”)
• Zamora (Spanish; “City name” – lots of history here)
• Carmona (Spanish; “From Carmona city”)
• Rosales (Spanish; “Rose gardens”)
• Lugo (Spanish; “Sacred grove”)
• Arias (Spanish; “Son of Aria”)
• Castellanos (Spanish; “From Castile”)
• Velázquez (Spanish; “Son of Velasco”)
• Armas (Spanish; “Weapons” – often military families)
• Bello (Spanish; “Beautiful”)
• Quintana (Spanish; “Country estate”)
• Sosa (Spanish; “From Sosa town”)
• Reina (Spanish; “Queen”)
• Pino (Spanish; “Pine tree”)
• Duarte (Portuguese-Spanish; “From Edward”)
• Vallejo (Spanish; “From the valley”)
• Arrieta (Basque-Spanish; “Place of stones”)
• Romero (Spanish; “Rosemary” or “Pilgrim”)

Into historical names? You’ll love our medieval last names collection!

Rare Cuban Last Names

• Zanetti (Italian-Cuban; “Little Giovanni” – pretty unique!)
• Hierrezuelo (Spanish; “Small iron” – don’t hear this much)
• Bencomo (Guanche origin; “Protected by God” – super rare)
• Urrutia (Basque-Cuban; “Far away”)
• Ibarra (Basque-Cuban; “Valley”)
• Zayas (Spanish; “From Zalla” – uncommon but historic)
• Loynaz (Basque; “Famous warrior”)
• Céspedes (Spanish; “Grassy area”)
• Iznaga (Basque; “My summit”)
• Balmaseda (Spanish; “Valley of balm”)
• Jorrín (Spanish; “Dancer” – rare these days)
• Argüelles (Spanish; “Little cliffs”)
• Azcuy (Basque; “Stone bridge”)
• Vigil (Spanish; “Watchful”)
• Dihigo (African-Spanish fusion; unique to Cuba)
• Entenza (Galician; “From Entenza”)
• Gavilán (Spanish; “Sparrowhawk”)
• Junco (Spanish; “Rush plant”)
• Piñeiro (Galician; “Pine grove owner”)
• Tejeda (Spanish; “Yew forest”)

Want to see more unique names? Check out rare Spanish surnames!

Cuban Last Names (Male Family Lines)

• Agüero (Origin: Spanish; Meaning: “Omen” or “Sign” – traditionally passed through sons)
• Borges (Portuguese-Spanish; “From the village” – strong paternal lineage)
• Cantero (Spanish; “Stonemason” – father-to-son trade name)
• Dávila (Spanish; “From Ávila” – historically male-dominated)
• Espino (Spanish; “Thorny bush” – passed down male lines)
• Fajardo (Spanish; “From the beech trees”)
• Gallego (Spanish; “From Galicia”)
• Hidalgo (Spanish; “Noble one” – male nobility line)
• Infante (Spanish; “Infantry soldier” or “Prince”)
• Lara (Spanish; “From Lara region”)
• Llanes (Spanish; “From Llanes city”)
• Matos (Portuguese-Spanish; “Thicket”)
• Noda (Japanese-Cuban fusion; rare patrilineal name)
• Ojeda (Spanish; “Place of wolves”)
• Portela (Galician; “Small door”)
• Quiñones (Spanish; “Land divisions”)
• Rivas (Spanish; “Riverbanks”)
• Segura (Spanish; “Secure” or “Safe”)
• Tamayo (Basque; “On the summit”)
• Urbina (Spanish; “City dweller”)

Hey, if you’re into male names, check out Spanish boy names too!

Cuban Last Names (Female Family Lines)

• Alba (Spanish; “Dawn” – often matrilineal)
• Betancourt (French-Spanish; historically strong female lines)
• Casanova (Italian-Spanish; “New house”)
• Damas (Spanish; “Ladies” – female-focused lineage)
• Estrella (Spanish; “Star” – passed through daughters)
• Fortuna (Latin; “Fortune” – matriarchal families)
• Gracia (Spanish; “Grace”)
• Hermosa (Spanish; “Beautiful”)
• Isla (Spanish; “Island”)
• Jardines (Spanish; “Gardens”)
• Luna (Spanish; “Moon”)
• Madrigal (Spanish; “Song”)
• Nieves (Spanish; “Snows”)
• Palma (Spanish; “Palm tree”)
• Rosa (Spanish; “Rose”)
• Solana (Spanish; “Sunny place”)
• Trinidad (Spanish; “Trinity”)
• Valdivia (Spanish; “Valley way”)
• Violeta (Spanish; “Violet”)
• Zabala (Basque; “Wide plain”)

Want more feminine names? Take a look at Spanish girl names!

Cuban Last Names and Meanings

• Almendares (Spanish; “Almond groves” – named after Cuba’s famous river)
• Bayamo (Indigenous; Named after a Cuban city)
• Camagüey (Indigenous; From the native word for “trees”)
• Remedios (Spanish; “Remedies” – from Villa de San Juan de los Remedios)
• Santiago (Spanish; “Saint James” – major Cuban city)
• Varadero (Spanish; “Dry dock” – famous beach town)
• Yara (Indigenous; Place of historical significance)
• Matanzas (Spanish; Named after the city)
• Pinar (Spanish; “Pine grove”)
• Gibara (Indigenous; Coastal town name)
• Habana (Spanish; “From Havana”)
• Cárdenas (Spanish; “Thistles”)
• Trinidad (Spanish; “Trinity” – historic city)
• Sagua (Indigenous; “Place of water”)
• Mariel (Indigenous; Port town name)
• Viñales (Spanish; “Vineyards”)
• Banes (Indigenous; Town name)
• Manzanillo (Spanish; “Little apple”)
• Nuevitas (Spanish; “New ones”)
• Holguín (Spanish; City name)

Afro-Cuban Last Names

• Congo (Origin: African; Meaning: “From the Congo region” – shows direct African heritage)
• Lucumí (Yoruba; “From the Yoruba people”)
• Carabalí (African; “From Calabar region”)
• Mina (African; “From El Mina in Ghana”)
• Mandinga (African; “From Mali”)
• Angola (African; “From Angola”)
• Mozambique (African; “From Mozambique”)
• Benguela (African; “From Benguela, Angola”)
• Kongo (African; Alternative spelling of Congo)
• Yoruba (African; Direct tribal name)
• Guinea (African; Regional name)
• Malembe (African; “Slowly/Peaceful”)
• Ochoa (Afro-Spanish fusion; “Wolf”)
• Cuní (African-Cuban fusion)
• Moya (African-Spanish; “Heart”)
• Bango (African; “Reed instrument”)
• Cumbá (African; “Drummer”)
• Echevarría (Afro-Basque fusion)
• Lay (African; “Chief”)
• Zulueta (African-Basque fusion)

Interested in African heritage? Check out our African last names collection!

Last Names in Cuba (Most Distinctive)

• Guantánamo (Indigenous-Cuban; Name of the famous bay)
• Cienfuegos (Spanish; “Hundred fires” – gorgeous city name!)
• Vedado (Spanish; “Forbidden” – historic neighborhood)
• Marianao (Indigenous-Cuban; District name)
• Calabazar (Spanish; “Pumpkin field”)
• Regla (Spanish; “Rule” – municipality name)
• Baracoa (Indigenous; First Spanish settlement)
• Alamar (Arabic-Spanish; “Near the sea”)
• Boyeros (Spanish; “Ox handlers”)
• Cotorro (Spanish; “Parrot” – municipality)
• Lawton (English-Cuban fusion; District name)
• Playa (Spanish; “Beach”)
• Cerro (Spanish; “Hill”)
• Vibora (Spanish; “Viper”)
• Miramar (Spanish; “Sea view”)
• Kohly (German-Cuban fusion; District name)
• Alturas (Spanish; “Heights”)
• Fontanar (Spanish; “Fountain area”)
• Siboney (Indigenous; Native Cuban tribe)
• Tarará (Indigenous; Beachside community)

Common Cuban Last Names (Modern Era)

• Aguirre (Basque; “Prominent place” – super common now!)
• Borrero (Spanish; “Lamb keeper”)
• Caridad (Spanish; “Charity”)
• Duany (French-Cuban fusion)
• Escandón (Spanish; “Hidden place”)
• Fundora (Spanish; “Deep place”)
• Gallo (Spanish; “Rooster”)
• Hernando (Spanish; “Adventurous”)
• Ibáñez (Spanish; “Son of Juan”)
• Junco (Spanish; “Reed”)
• Leyva (Spanish; “From Leiva”)
• Manso (Spanish; “Gentle”)
• Noriega (Spanish; “From Noriega”)
• Oliva (Spanish; “Olive tree”)
• Pujol (Catalan-Cuban; “Hill dweller”)
• Quintero (Spanish; “Fifth one”)
• Rigual (Catalan; “Stream”)
• Sarduy (Basque-Cuban fusion)
• Tellechea (Basque; “New place”)
• Urquiola (Basque; “Place of birch trees”)

Want to see how these compare to other Spanish names? Check out Spanish last names!

Cuban Last Names (Girl-Specific Traditions)

• Rosario (Origin: Spanish; Meaning: “Rosary” – often given to girls in Catholic families)
• Dolores (Spanish; “Sorrows” – traditionally maternal family name)
• Mercedes (Spanish; “Mercies” – super popular for girls!)
• Pilar (Spanish; “Pillar” – often passed down mother to daughter)
• Milagros (Spanish; “Miracles”)
• Caridad (Spanish; “Charity”)
• Esperanza (Spanish; “Hope”)
• Luz (Spanish; “Light”)
• Graciela (Spanish; “Grace”)
• Amparo (Spanish; “Shelter/Protection”)
• Concepción (Spanish; “Conception”)
• Belén (Spanish; “Bethlehem”)
• Angeles (Spanish; “Angels”)
• Flor (Spanish; “Flower”)
• Paloma (Spanish; “Dove”)
• Victoria (Spanish; “Victory”)
• Paz (Spanish; “Peace”)
• Margarita (Spanish; “Daisy”)
• Soledad (Spanish; “Solitude”)
• Estrella (Spanish; “Star”)

Love these feminine names? You might enjoy our collection of Spanish girl names!

Cuban Last Names (Boy-Specific Traditions)

• Rey (Spanish; “King” – traditionally given to firstborn sons)
• Salvador (Spanish; “Savior”)
• Lorenzo (Spanish; “From Laurentium”)
• Vicente (Spanish; “Conquering”)
• Justo (Spanish; “Just/Fair”)
• Santiago (Spanish; “Saint James”)
• Felix (Spanish; “Lucky/Happy”)
• Bruno (Spanish; “Brown/Shield”)
• Pascual (Spanish; “Born at Easter”)
• León (Spanish; “Lion”)
• Bautista (Spanish; “Baptist”)
• Gregorio (Spanish; “Watchful”)
• Máximo (Spanish; “Greatest”)
• Noble (Spanish; “Noble one”)
• Porfirio (Spanish; “Purple-clad”)
• Primitivo (Spanish; “First”)
• Ricardo (Spanish; “Powerful ruler”)
• Santos (Spanish; “Saints”)
• Urbano (Spanish; “City dweller”)
• Xavier (Spanish; “New house”)

Hey, if you like these, you should definitely check out our Spanish boy names!

Understanding Cuban Last Names

Cuban surnames are pretty special. Unlike what you might be used to, Cubans typically use two last names – pretty cool, right? The first comes from dad, and the second from mom. It’s their way of keeping both family histories alive and kicking.

Historical Background

Let’s take a little trip back in time! Cuban last names are like a history book of the island’s past. Here’s what shaped them:

• Spanish Influence: When Spanish colonizers arrived in Cuba, they brought their naming traditions with them
• African Heritage: Many surnames reflect Cuba’s deep African roots, especially from West Africa
• Indigenous Elements: Though fewer in number, some names carry echoes of Cuba’s native Taíno people
• Other European Touches: French, Portuguese, and other European influences added their own flavors

Common Characteristics of Cuban Last Names

Here’s something neat about Cuban names – they follow a pattern that’s both practical and meaningful. Think of it as a family story in miniature:

1. First Last Name: Dad’s family name comes first
2. Second Last Name: Mom’s family name follows
3. Optional Middle Names: Some folks have them, some don’t

Medieval last names actually influenced some of these naming patterns – pretty interesting connection, right?

Top Cuban Last Names

Let me share some of the most common Cuban surnames – these names are like the greatest hits of Cuban heritage! I’ll break down a few fan favorites:

Table of Popular Cuban Surnames

Last Name	Origin	Meaning
González	Spanish	“Son of Gonzalo”
Rodríguez	Spanish	“Son of Rodrigo”
Pérez	Spanish	“Son of Pedro”
Hernández	Spanish	“Son of Hernando”
García	Spanish	“Young/Youthful”

Let’s look at some more detail for the super common ones:

Acosta:

• Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
• Meaning: “Lives by the coast”
• Notable fact: Super common in Cuban coastal towns!

Want to see more Spanish-origin names? Check out our Spanish names collection!

Cuban Last Names by Origin

You know what’s super cool about Cuban surnames? They’re like a family recipe – a mix of different ingredients that come together beautifully! Here’s what went into the mix:

Spanish Origins

The biggest chunk of Cuban last names comes from Spain (no surprise there!). Some favorites include:

• Martínez: Means “son of Martin” – super common!
• López: Originally meant “son of Lope”
• Torres: Means “towers” – pretty cool, right?

African Influences

Here’s where it gets really interesting! Some Cuban names have strong African roots, especially from regions like:

• West Africa
• The Congo
• Angola

African last names have such a rich history – definitely worth checking out!

Other European Touches

Think of these as the special seasonings in the mix:

• French names (like Laborde)
• Italian influences (like Moretti)
• Portuguese additions (like Silva)

Fascinating Facts About Cuban Last Names

Okay, ready for some mind-blowing stuff?

1. Double-Barreled Names: Some Cuban families combine two last names with a hyphen – talk about keeping it in the family!
2. Name Evolution: Sometimes names changed when families moved to Cuba – like Schmidt becoming Smit. Wild, right?
3. Regional Variations: Different parts of Cuba have their own popular last names. It’s like each region has its own flavor!

How to Research Your Cuban Last Name

Curious about your own Cuban last name? Here’s how to dig into your family tree:

1. Start with Family
   • Chat with older relatives
   • Look through old photos and documents
   • Write down family stories
2. Go Digital
   • Check out genealogy websites
   • Look up Cuban parish records
   • Join Cuban ancestry forums

Pro tip: Check out our guide on researching Latin last names for more ideas!

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s tackle those burning questions!

What are the most common last names in Cuba?

The top 5 are González, Rodríguez, Hernández, Pérez, and García. But remember, popularity can vary by region!

How do last names work in Cuba?

Think of it as a family sandwich – first name, middle name(s), dad’s last name, mom’s last name. Pretty neat system, if you ask me!

Why do Cubans have two last names?

It’s all about honoring both sides of the family. Plus, it makes tracking family history way easier!

Are there any unique naming customs in Cuba?

You bet! Some families name kids after grandparents, and middle names often have special meaning.

Final Thoughts

Wow, what a journey through Cuban last names, right? These names aren’t just words – they’re living history, family stories, and cultural treasures all rolled into one. Whether you’ve got Cuban roots or you’re just curious, there’s something magical about understanding where names come from.

Want to explore more? Check out our Hispanic naming traditions for the bigger picture!

Remember, every last name has a story to tell. Maybe it’s time to discover yours? Whether it’s Cuban, Spanish, or from somewhere else entirely, your family name is part of what makes you uniquely you.

And hey, if you’re into names from other cultures, why not explore Italian last names or Portuguese last names? Each culture has its own amazing naming traditions to discover!

Keep exploring, keep asking questions, and most importantly, keep celebrating the incredible diversity of our world’s naming traditions. After all, isn’t that what makes life interesting?