Catalan is an ethnic group originating in Spain and France from the merging of Celts and Romans. It is currently a semi-autonomous region of Spain and the Catalan language is a Romance language like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. As such, many of their customs and names are very similar to the surrounding regions that are better known.
For example, you will likely recognize the name Alexandre, meaning ‘defender of men’ although you have probably seen it more commonly spelled Alexander. While this is a small variation in spelling, other recognizable names have been changed quite significantly.
Guillem (pronounced Gee-Yem), is the Catalan variant of the Germanic name, William, meaning ‘vehement protector.’ Another popular Catalan name is Jordi, a variant of George meaning ‘farmer’.
Not all Catalan names are variations of names from other cultures, in fact, the Catalan name Iker, meaning ‘visitation,’ is rising in use in other countries because of the popularity of the Catalan soccer player of the same name.
Oriol, meaning ‘golden,’ is another name of purely Catalonian origin, popular in Catalan but not as well known in the rest of the world. If your child has blonde hair or a caramel skin tone, describing them as a ‘golden child’ would be fitting and sweet.
Abril
Meaning: April
Origin: Catalan
Alexandre
Meaning: Defender of men
Origin: Catalan
Arnau
Meaning: Ruler
Origin: Catalan
Guillem
Meaning: Catalan variant of the Germanic name, William, meaning ‘vehement protector.’
Origin: Catalan
Iker
Meaning: Visitation
Origin: Catalan
Jordi
Meaning: Variant of George meaning ‘farmer’
Origin: Catalan
Nicolau
Meaning: People’s triumph
Origin: Catalan
Oriol
Meaning: Golden
Origin: Catalan
Pascual
Meaning: Easter
Origin: Catalan
