Inigo

Meaning & origin

Inigo is a rare yet distinctive name with Spanish and Basque roots. First recorded in U.S. data in 2000, it has steadily risen in popularity since 2011, reaching its peak rank of 7679 in 2025. Though still uncommon, its adoption has grown to about 1 in 170,808 boys. The name is strongly associated with Saint Íñigo and the explorer Íñigo de Loyola, giving it a historical and religious depth. Its rising trajectory reflects a growing interest in unique, cross-cultural names, and its familiar 'Inigo Montoya' from the film 'The Princess Bride' adds a touch of literary flair. The name has not yet reported top states, indicating its rarity, but its upward trend suggests it may gain more attention in the coming years.

Inigo is the English form of the Spanish name Íñigo. The name's ultimate origin is debated: it may derive from a pre-Roman Iberian or Basque root, or it could be a variant of Ignatius, a Latin name meaning 'fiery'. Saint Íñigo of Oña, a 10th-century abbott, helped popularize it in Spain and the Basque Country. The name has been used in England since the early modern period, notably by the Spanish explorer Íñigo de Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.