"Royal Hill, King's Mountain"
Origin: Spanish (Monte Rey)
Language: English
Monterey
Pronunciation: [ m-ahnt-er-AY ]
Monterey is a girl name of Spanish (Monte Rey) origin meaning "Royal Hill, King's Mountain." Ranked #66,053 in the US, popular nicknames include Monty, Rey, and Rae.
California's royal hill in a four-syllable song
American
Spanish-influenced
Californian
Place Inspired
California
Spanish
Musical
Breezy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
How Does It Sound with Your Surname?
Similar to Monterey
See all →What the Monterey report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Monterey the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Monterey Jack cheese may invite food jokes
The Story of Monterey
Monterey comes from the Spanish Monte Rey — Royal Hill or King's Mountain. The city of Monterey, California was founded in 1770 by Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra, becoming the capital of Spanish California and later Mexican California before the US acquired it. Monterey Bay was named for the Conde de Monterrey, the Viceroy of New Spain. It was in Monterey in 1846 that the American flag was first raised in California. John Steinbeck immortalized Cannery Row in Monterey, and the Monterey Jazz Festival (1958) helped define American jazz culture. As a name, Monterey carries Pacific light and centuries of layered California history.
California place names as baby names — Malibu, Laguna, Sonoma, Monterey — reflect a distinctly West Coast naming sensibility that has been growing as place-name names become more popular.
Monterey was California's first capital and is home to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Monterey Jazz Festival (oldest in the US), and John Steinbeck's immortal Cannery Row.
Historical Record
Monterey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 16 babies have been named Monterey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Monterey is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #66,053 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Monterey Jazz Festival, founded in 1958, is the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world
- John Steinbeck set Cannery Row (1945) in Monterey's sardine canning district — today the former canneries are tourist attractions and the book is California's most beloved novel
Monterey in Other Languages
English
Monterey
Spanish
Monte Rey
Portuguese
Monterey
Popularity Over Time
#66,053
Current Rank
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Monterey
J
John Steinbeck
Writer
1902
Nobel Prize-winning American author who immortalized Monterey's Cannery Row in his beloved 1945 novel
G
Gaspar de Portola
Explorer
1716
Spanish colonial governor who founded Monterey in 1770 as the capital of Spanish Alta California
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #66,053
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- American Spanish-influenced Californian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Monty
Rey
Rae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Monterey
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Monterey fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Monterey →Compare Monterey with...
Same Origin Names (American)
Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Monterey
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Monterey and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Monterey sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Cookie
Girl
Dutch origin
"sweet baked treat"
#66,158 in US
Monzella
Girl
American English origin
"creative coinage combining Mon- (advi..."
#65,922 in US
Frita
Girl
Old Norse (fridr) origin
"beautiful, beloved"
#66,052 in US
Harla
Girl
Old English origin
"hare meadow"
#66,224 in US
Cheron
Girl
Hebrew origin
"plain, fertile flatland"
#65,946 in US
Deedra
Girl
Celtic origin
"Possibly from derdriu, meaning raging..."
#65,896 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Monterey's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monterey
What does the name Monterey mean?
"Royal Hill, King's Mountain" (from Spanish (Monte Rey)). Monterey comes from the Spanish Monte Rey — Royal Hill or King's Mountain. The city of Monterey, California was founded in 1770 by Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra, becoming the capital of Spanish California and later Mexican California before the US acquired it. Monterey Bay was named for the Conde de Monterrey, the Viceroy of New Spain. It was in Monterey in 1846 that the American flag was first raised in California. John Steinbeck immortalized Cannery Row in Monterey, and the Monterey Jazz Festival (1958) helped define American jazz culture. As a name, Monterey carries Pacific light and centuries of layered California history.
What is the origin of the name Monterey?
Monterey has Spanish (Monte Rey), American, Spanish-influenced, and Californian origins. In Spanish (Monte Rey), it means "Royal Hill, King's Mountain".
Is Monterey a boy or girl name?
Monterey is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Monterey?
Monterey is pronounced m-ahnt-er-AY.
How popular is the name Monterey?
Monterey is currently ranked #66053 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Monterey?
Common nicknames for Monterey include Monty, Rey, and Rae.
What are good middle names for Monterey?
Popular middle name pairings include Monterey Rose, Monterey Grace, Monterey Blue, Monterey Bay, and Monterey Jade.
What are good sibling names for Monterey?
Names that pair well with Monterey as siblings include Malibu, Sedona, Savannah, Denver, and Aspen.
How many syllables does Monterey have?
Monterey has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Monterey a common or rare name?
Monterey is an uncommon name, ranked #66053 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Monterey?
Are there other spellings for Monterey?
Related spellings include Montana, Montserrat.
About the Name Monterey
Monterey is a girl name with American, Spanish-influenced, and Californian origins . The name means "Royal Hill, King's Mountain" in Spanish (Monte Rey) .
Monterey is currently ranked #66,053 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Monterey has 4 syllables and is pronounced m-ahnt-er-AY, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Monterey include Monty, Rey, and Rae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Monterey include Montana, Montserrat . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Spanish (Monte Rey) Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Monterey
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis