"blessed, of Macarius"
Origin: Greek via Spanish
Language: Spanish
Macarena
Pronunciation: [ m-ak-uhr-EEN-uh ]
Does Macarena flow with your last name?
A proud Sevillian name honoring the beloved Virgin of Hope
Spanish
Latin American
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Sophisticated
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Meaning & Origin
"place of hope (from the Virgin Mary shrine)"
Origin: Spanish
Language: Spanish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the 1993 Los Del Rio dance song, which may draw comments
The Story of Macarena
Macarena is a Spanish place name and given name derived from the Basilica de la Macarena in Seville, Spain, which houses the beloved Virgin of Hope statue. The basilica's name comes from 'Macarius,' a Greek-origin name meaning blessed. The Virgin of Hope Macarena (La Esperanza Macarena) is one of the most venerated religious figures in Seville and Andalusia.
Macarena surged internationally in 1995-1996 when the Spanish duo Los Del Rio released their hit song 'Macarena' which became a global dance phenomenon. This created a wave of babies named Macarena — especially in Spanish-speaking countries — followed by a decline as the song's novelty faded.
In Seville, La Macarena neighborhood and its Virgin Mary statue represent the heart of Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations. Being named Macarena in Andalusia carries deep religious and cultural pride. However, outside Spanish-speaking cultures, the name is primarily associated with the 1990s dance hit.
Historical Record
Macarena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 303 babies have been named Macarena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Macarena is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,910 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- La Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena is one of the most beloved religious icons in Spain, her procession during Holy Week draws enormous crowds in Seville
- The Los Del Rio 'Macarena' song spent 14 weeks at #1 in the US in 1996, making it one of the longest-running chart-toppers ever
Macarena in Other Languages
French
Macarena
English
Macarena
Italian
Macarena
Spanish
Macarena
Popularity Over Time
#3,910
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Macarena
M
Macarena García
Actor
1984
Spanish actress known for the TV series The Ministry of Time and Velvet
L
La Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena
Religious
Beloved 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary housed in Seville's Basilica de la Macarena
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 5
- Popularity Rank
- #3,910
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Maca
Rena
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Macarena
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Macarena
What does the name Macarena mean?
"blessed, of Macarius" (from Greek via Spanish). "place of hope (from the Virgin Mary shrine)" (from Spanish). Macarena is a Spanish place name and given name derived from the Basilica de la Macarena in Seville, Spain, which houses the beloved Virgin of Hope statue. The basilica's name comes from 'Macarius,' a Greek-origin name meaning blessed. The Virgin of Hope Macarena (La Esperanza Macarena) is one of the most venerated religious figures in Seville and Andalusia.
What is the origin of the name Macarena?
Macarena has Greek via Spanish, Spanish, and Latin American origins. In Greek via Spanish, it means "blessed, of Macarius". In Spanish, it means "place of hope (from the Virgin Mary shrine)".
Is Macarena a boy or girl name?
Macarena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Macarena?
Macarena is pronounced m-ak-uhr-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Macarena?
Macarena is currently ranked #3910 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Macarena?
Common nicknames for Macarena include Maca and Rena.
What are good middle names for Macarena?
Popular middle name pairings include Macarena Lucia, Macarena Isabel, Macarena Sofia, Macarena Elena, and Macarena Victoria.
What are good sibling names for Macarena?
Names that pair well with Macarena as siblings include Paloma, Consuelo, Diego, Alejandro, Esperanza, Carmen, and Rafael.
How many syllables does Macarena have?
Macarena has 5 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Macarena a common or rare name?
Macarena is an uncommon name, ranked #3910 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Macarena
Macarena is a girl name with Spanish and Latin American origins . The name means "blessed, of Macarius" in Greek via Spanish .
Macarena is currently ranked #3,910 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Macarena has 5 syllables and is pronounced m-ak-uhr-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Macarena include Maca and Rena. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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