Home › Baby Names Directory › Ildefonso

Ildefonso

♂ Boy

Pronounced il-duh-FON-soh /ˌɪl.dəˈfɒn.soʊ/Medium

Meaning: Ildefonso is the Spanish form of a Visigothic Germanic name, from elements meaning 'battle' and 'ready' or 'prepared,' hence 'ready for battle.' It is best known through Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, a seventh-century archbishop and writer, and remains a traditional if uncommon Spanish given name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Ildefonso is the Spanish form of a Germanic name meaning 'ready for battle,' borne by a saint of Toledo. It was rare among American boys, peaking in the nineteen-seventies.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumSpanish, Germanic

MeaningIldefonso is the Spanish form of a Visigothic Germanic name, from elements meaning 'battle' and 'ready' or 'prepared,' hence 'ready for battle.' It is best known through Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, a seventh-century archbishop and writer, and remains a traditional if uncommon Spanish given name.

U.S. rank (2022)#13067 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1976

Total births (all-time)≈ 392

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ildefonso is the Spanish descendant of a Visigothic Germanic name combining 'battle' with 'ready,' understood as 'ready for battle' or 'prepared for combat.' Its enduring use owes much to Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, the seventh-century archbishop and Marian writer. In the United States it appears mainly among Spanish-heritage families and never became common.

It was never widespread in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year around its peak near 1976, chiefly within Spanish-speaking communities.

Did you know? Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, a seventh-century archbishop, gave the name lasting devotional weight in the Spanish-speaking world; several towns and missions carry it.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Ildefonso — Spanish form of Germanic 'ready for battle'; St Ildefonso of Toledo (c.607-667)

Variations

AlfonsoIldephonseAlonsoIldefons

Nicknames

FonsoIldePoncho

Famous Bearers

★Saint Ildefonso of Toledo (c.607-667)
Seventh-century archbishop of Toledo and Marian writer for whom the name is best known

If you like Ildefonso…

Alfonso— a related Spanish form of the same roots

Alonso— a like Spanish battle-ready name

Eugenio— a similar traditional Spanish boy's name

Gonzalo— a like classic Spanish name

Explore names like Ildefonso

By themerare spanish saint traditional boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ildefonso mean?

It is the Spanish form of a Germanic name meaning 'ready for battle,' borne by Saint Ildefonso of Toledo.

How do you pronounce Ildefonso?

It is said il-duh-FON-soh /ˌɪl.dəˈfɒn.soʊ/, four syllables with the stress on the third.

Is Ildefonso a boy or girl name?

Ildefonso is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ildefonso?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen boys a year around its peak in the nineteen-seventies.