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Macarena

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-kah-REH-nah /mɑ.kɑˈrɛ.nɑ/High

Meaning: From the Virgen de la Macarena of Seville — the district name, possibly from a Roman landowner Macarius ('blessed')Medium

In 30 seconds: Seville's weeping Madonna — and yes, the dance: Macarena names the city's beloved Virgin of Hope, centuries before the 1990s hit. Devotional, Andalusian, and irrepressible.

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Origin MediumSpanish

MeaningFrom the Virgen de la Macarena of Seville — the district name, possibly from a Roman landowner Macarius ('blessed')

U.S. rank (2025)#4313 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births33 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 336

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

Macarena comes from Seville's Macarena district and its Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena — the district name possibly from a Roman Macarius, 'blessed' (debated, which we note). A deeply Andalusian devotion name, globally hummable since 1995.

In the U.S. it appears in Spanish-heritage families. Rare, hope-Madonna at the root, and vivid.

Did you know? La Macarena — Seville's Virgin of Hope — draws vast Holy Week crowds, her five crystal tears famous across Spain; Los del Río's dance hit borrowed her neighborhood's name.

Overall data confidence 68%

References — Virgen de la Macarena — devotional background

Variations

MacaMacarenna

Nicknames

MacaRena

Famous Bearers

★Macarena García (1990-)
Spanish actress and singer known for her role in the Spanish film Blancanieves (2012)
★Macarena Achaga (1995-)
Argentine-Mexican actress and model known for the Netflix series Luis Miguel: La Serie

If you like Macarena…

Esperanza— the 'hope' at the Virgin's title

Rocio— a fellow Andalusian Marian name

Carmen— another beloved Spanish Marian classic

Marcelina— a fellow Spanish choice

Ariadna— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Macarena

By themeuncertain spanish devotional

By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Macarena mean?

Macarena names Seville's Virgin of Hope; the district name possibly traces to a Roman Macarius, 'blessed' — debated.

How do you pronounce Macarena?

It's said mah-kah-REH-nah /mɑ.kɑˈrɛ.nɑ/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Macarena a boy or girl name?

Macarena is a girl's name.

How popular is Macarena?

Macarena is a rare name in the U.S., familiar in Spain.