"Royal Hill, King's Mountain"
Origin: Spanish (Monte Rey)
Language: English
Monterey
Pronunciation: [ m-ahnt-er-AY ]
Does Monterey flow with your last name?
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
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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
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Compare Monterey with:
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
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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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
Sounds Like Monterey
Phonetic neighbors that share Monterey's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Old English origin
"hare meadow"
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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.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
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.
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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