What Are the Most Popular Hispanic Baby Names?

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Emma, Martina and Luis are some of new additions to the most popular names that Latino parents chose in 2013, BabyCenter en Español reports.

Sofía and Santiago remain the most popular name on the girls’ and boys’ lists for the seventh consecutive years, according to the new report, based on the names of more than 50,000 names of babies born in 2013 to parents from the United States and Latin America who registered on BabyCenter en Español.

On the girls’ Top-10 list, Emma and Martina jumped into the Top-10, knocking Mariana and María José off the list.

On the boys’ Top-10 list, Mateo knocked Matías out of second place. Luis was a new debut, while knocking out Alejandro, which had been on the list for six straight years.

What influences these name choices?

According to the report, Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) had a huge impact on name lists for both boys and girls. Religion remains a strong influence over Latino parents when it comes to picking a baby name. In a BabyCenter en Español survey, 34 percent of Latino parents said, “A spiritual or religious figure,” when asked what famous people inspired their baby name choice. Jorge gained in popularity from 63rd to 34th place, and Mario reappeared at 68th, after being off the list in 2012.

“Jorge’s rise in popularity also reflects the popularity of the royal baby, whose name is of great historical significance. It isn’t just a favorite of the British royal family, but is also the name of one of the most venerated saints. Saint George, who is usually depicted slaying a dragon, symbolizes strength and protection of the poor and defenseless,” said BabyCenter en Español editor Clarisse Céspedes, in a statement.

And as for a prediction for some new Top-10 names in 2014?

The report indicates that the World Cup in Brazil and its popular soccer players will have a lot to say about that, perhaps including Iker Casillas Fernández from Real Madrid, whose name came in 12th this year already.