107 Dominican Republic Baby Names With Meanings

Dominican Republic baby names show strong Spanish colonial influence because the country was a Spanish colony from 1861 to 1865 (1). The naming customs of the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking sovereign state in the Caribbean, are similar to those practiced in Spain. Not just the traditions, even the first names are primarily Spanish. In the Dominican Republic, both men and women carry two family names. The first is the father’s family name, and the second is the mother’s family name, which may be joined by y or e. Both family names are equally important and are compulsory for all official documents. Married women are not required to change their family’s name to their husband’s surname. Even when married women shift countries, they can keep their maiden name. However, they may choose to switch out their maternal family name for their husband’s paternal family name (2). In the colonial period, Hispanics worldwide, including those in the Dominican Republic, had a second name. They also used the word de between their first and third names. For instance, Juan Luis de Romero Conde. While this custom has faded significantly in other Hispanic countries, people of the Dominican Republic still follow it. However, this second given name is only used on formal occasions or is registered only on birth, marriage, and death certificates. Family plays a significant role in selecting the first name for a child. Parents often choose a first name that honors grandparents or other relatives. Parents may even select names reflecting their religious beliefs. Since a majority of the population in the Dominican Republic are Catholics, it is common for a child to have a biblical name or a name paying homage to saints and religious figures. Below is a list of some of the best Dominican Republic baby names we compiled. We are sure you will find something worthy of being carried by your child. Have a look.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Yera		Girl	Virgin Mary
Yeriel		Boy	Founded by God
Yesenia		Girl	Palm tree
Yevgeny		Boy	Aristocrat
Yoselin		Girl	Little Goth
Yulissa		Girl	A beautiful girl
Zahi		Boy	Beautiful and brilliant
Zoe		Girl	Life

Infographic: Dashing Dominican Republic Baby Names With Meanings

Parents often look for baby names that can depict their native roots. Dominican Republican baby names represent the country's diverse culture and heritage. Even their traditional names exhibit a foreign influence, a part of the Dominican Republic’s history. The infographic below can give you an idea of the kind of names popular in this region.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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