List of place names of Spanish origin in the United States
Appearance
Bacilia Peña Rodriguez
As a consequence of former Spanish and, later, Mexican sovereignty over lands that are now part of the United States, there are many places in the country, mostly in the southwest, with names of Spanish origin. Florida and Louisiana also were at times under Spanish control. There are also several places in the United States with Spanish names as a result to other factors. Some of these names preserved ancient writing.
Bacilia Peña Rodriguez
Authenticity and origin
Not all Spanish place name etymologies in the United States originate from the Spanish colonial period or from the Spanish language. Spanish-sounding place names are classified into four categories:
- Colonial: Spanish names that were given during the Spanish colonial period, or adaptations of names originally given in the colonial period to the same place or to nearby related places. (Ex: Los Angeles, California)
- Post-colonial: Spanish place names that have no history of being used during the colonial period for the place in question or for nearby related places. (Ex: Lake Buena Vista, Florida, named in 1969 after a street in Burbank, California)
- Non-Spanish: Place names originating from non-Spaniards or in non-historically Spanish areas. (Ex: Salamanca, New York, or Toledo, Ohio)
- Faux: Fabricated Spanish place names, typically by non-Spanish speakers. (Ex: Sierra Vista)
States
- California (from the name of a fictional island country in Las sergas de Esplandián, a popular Spanish chivalric romance by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo)
- Colorado (meaning "red [colored]", "ruddy" or "colored" in masculine form. Named after Colorado City; now called Old Colorado City.)
- Florida Meaning ""Flowery" or "Florid", because it was discovered by Ponce de León on Easter Sunday, called Pascua Florida to distinguish this holiday, which occurs in springtime when flowers are abundant, from other Christian holidays called Pascua in Spanish, such as Christmas and Epiphany.
- Montana from Latinized Spanish meaning "mountainous", also in Spanish "montaña" is the name of "mountain"
- Nevada comes from the Spanish Sierra Nevada (which is also a mountain range in Spain), meaning snowy mountain range (Nevada is the Spanish feminine form of snowy).
- Utah derives from the Spanish name given to the Ute People by early explorers to the area. The Utes refer to themselves as Noochee, which in Spanish was changed to Yuta.[1]
Territories
- North Mariana Islands (after queen Mariana, regent at the time)
- Puerto Rico (Spanish for "Rich Port")
- US Virgin Islands (Christopher Columbus named the Virgin Islands after Santa Ursula y las Once mil Virgenes (English: St. Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins), shortened to las Vírgenes (the Virgins))
Counties and parishes
- Alameda County, California ("Boulevard with Poplars")
- Alamosa County, Colorado ("Shaded with Poplars or Cottonwoods")
- Amador County, California (named for José María Amador, amador is a Spanish word for "lover", not widely used)
- Angelina County, Texas (From "Angelina," a Spanish given name. Its English equivalent is "Angeline")
- Archuleta County, Colorado (From "Archuleta," a Spanish surname)
- Atascosa County, Texas ("Boggy")
- Baca County, Colorado (named in honor of pioneer and Colorado territorial legislator Felipe Baca)
- Bandera County, Texas ("Flag")
- Bastrop County, Texas
- Bernalillo County, New Mexico
- Bexar County, Texas (Béxar is an ancient form for Béjar)
- Blanco County, Texas ("White")
- Bosque County, Texas ("Forest")
- Brazos County, Texas ("Arms")
- Buena Vista County, Iowa ("Good View")
- Calaveras County, California (named after the Calaveras River; Spanish word for "Skulls")
- Cerro Gordo County, Iowa ("Fat/large Mountain")
- Chaves County, New Mexico (similar to "llaves"-"Keys")
- Cimarron County, Oklahoma (maroon)
- Colusa County, California (from two Mexican land grants; Coluses (1844) and Colus (1845))
- Comal County, Texas
- Concho County, Texas ("shell")
- Conejos County, Colorado (named after the Conejos River meaning "Rabbits")
- Contra Costa County, California ("Opposite coast" or "back coast" in Spanish; in reference to its location in the San Francisco Bay Area)
- Costilla County, Colorado (named after the Costilla River, meaning "Little Coast" or "Rib")
- DeSoto County, Florida (named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto)
- DeSoto County, Mississippi (named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto)
- Del Norte County, California ("Northern" in Spanish, also the northernmost county in California)
- Dolores County, Colorado (derived from "Nuestra Señora de los Dolores", Spanish name for Our Lady of Sorrows)
- Doña Ana County, New Mexico (Mrs. Anne)
- El Dorado County, California (From the mythical El Dorado, The Gilded One, significant to El Dorado County's importance in the California Gold Rush)
- El Paso County, Colorado ("The step" or "the pass")
- Escambia County, Florida (named for the Escambia River, whose name comes from a Spanish word for "barter" or "trade")
- Esmeralda County, Nevada ("Emerald")
- Fresno County, California (From Fresno Creek. In Spanish, fresno means "ash tree".)
- Frio County, Texas ("Cold")
- Garza County, Texas (named in honor to the family of landowner José Antonio de la Garza).
- Gonzales County, Texas
- Guadalupe County, Texas
- Hernando County, Florida (named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto)
- Hidalgo County, New Mexico (after Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, where the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed)
- Hidalgo County, Texas (after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Mexican national hero)
- Huerfano County, Colorado (named for the Huerfano Butte, a local landmark. From the Spanish huérfano, meaning orphan)
- Las Animas County, Colorado (named after the Animas River, derived from Río de las Ánimas Perdidas, which means "River of the Lost Souls")
- La Paz County, Arizona ("Peace")
- La Plata County, Colorado (Called so for La Plata River (San Juan River), in Colorado. From the Spanish plata, meaning "silver")
- Lampasas County, Texas
- Laredo, Texas ("scree")
- Lavaca County, Texas ("La vaca", literally "the cow")
- Leon County, Florida (named for Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León; it is his surname, which means lion, as well as the name of a Spanish city, León, Spain
- Leon County, Texas
- Los Alamos County, New Mexico ("The white poplars")
- Los Angeles County, California (Spanish for "the Angels", from one of the 28 settlements founded by the Spanish, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula)
- Madera County, California ("Wood" or "Timber")
- Matagorda County, Texas ("Fat shrub")
- Maricopa County, Arizona
- Mariposa County, California ("Butterfly")
- Medina County, Texas (from Arabic "town, city")
- Mendocino County, California (from Cape Mendocino, named probably for either Antonio de Mendoza or Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, viceroys of New Spain)
- Mesa County, Colorado (table)
- Merced County, California (from the Merced River, a shortened version of the original name El Río de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (River of Our Lady of Mercy); named in 1806 by an expedition headed by Gabriel Moraga)
- Monterey County, California (from Monterey Bay—the name is composed of the Spanish words Monte ("Hill") and Rey ("King"), historically because the viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) that supported the expedition of California, was from Monterey, Galicia, Spain)
- Mora County, New Mexico (Blackberry or Moor woman)
- Natrona County, Wyoming ("Natron")
- Navarro County, Texas (it could come either from the surname "Navarro", or from the Spanish region of Navarre)
- Nevada County, California ("Snowy")
- New Madrid County, Missouri (called so after the Spanish capital Madrid)
- Nueces County, Texas (named after the Nueces River, meaning "nuts", derived from pecan nuts)
- Otero County, Colorado (the county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero (born 1829), one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family)
- Palo Alto County, Iowa - (of Spanish "tall stick"; It is named for the first battlefield victory in the Mexican–American War).
- Palo Pinto County, Texas ("Colored stick")
- Pecos County, Texas ("freckles")
- Pinellas County, Florida (named after "La Punta de Piñal de Jimenez", which means "Jimenez's Point of Pines", after the entrance to Tampa Bay by Spanish explorers in 1757)
- Plumas County, California (for the Feather River. Plumas is the Spanish word for feathers.)
- Pueblo County, Colorado (village)
- Presidio County, Texas ("Prison")
- Refugio County, Texas ("Shelter")
- Rio Arriba County, New Mexico ("Upstream", referring to the stream of a river)
- Rio Grande County, Colorado ("Big River")
- Sabine County, Texas
- Sacramento County, California (from the Sacramento River, itself named for the Santísimo Sacramento (Spanish for Most Holy Sacrament), a reference to the Eucharist)
- San Augustine County, Texas (Presidio de San Agustin de Ahumada)
- San Benito County, California (in honor of San Benedicto (Saint Benedict); "Benito" is the diminutive of Benedicto)
- San Bernardino County, California (Saint Bernardino of Siena)
- St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana (called so after St. Bernard, the patron saint of Spanish colonial governor of Louisiana in 1780s Bernardo de Gálvez).
- San Diego County, California (from the city of San Diego, itself named after Saint Didacus of Alcalá, or San Diego de Alcalá in Spanish)
- Sandoval County, New Mexico (Named for the Sandoval family, prominent seventeenth-century Spanish landowners)
- San Francisco County, California (from the city of San Francisco, itself named after Francis of Assisi (1181–1226), a Roman Catholic saint and founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans))
- San Jacinto County, Texas (for Saint Hyacinth)
- San Joaquin County, California (for Saint Joachim)
- San Juan County, Colorado
- San Juan County, New Mexico
- San Juan County, Utah (named after the San Juan River, meaning "St. John")
- San Juan County, Washington (named for Count Juan Vicente de Güemes of Revillagigedo, Viceroy of New Spain)
- San Luis Obispo County, California (for St. Louis, the Bishop)
- San Mateo County, California (for Saint Matthew)
- San Miguel County, Colorado (from the San Miguel River in Colorado)
- San Miguel County, New Mexico
- San Patricio County, Texas (for Saint Patrick)
- San Saba County, Texas
- Santa Ana, California
- Santa Barbara County, California (for Saint Barbara)
- Santa Clara County, California (for Saint Clare, for the Santa Clara Valley and the mission town of Santa Clara)
- Santa Fe County, New Mexico (Saint Faith)
- Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Santa Cruz County, California (Spanish for "Holy/Sacred Cross")
- Santa Rosa County, Florida (named after Santa Rosa Island, which means "Saint Rose")
- Sebastian County, Arkansas
- Sierra County, California ("Mountain range")
- Solano County, California (the county derives its name directly from an Amerindian Chief, Chief Solano of the Suisun people, a Native American tribe of the region and Vallejo's close ally. The Chief was given the Spanish name Francisco Solano during baptism at the Catholic Mission, and is named after the Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Francisco Solano. "Solano" is a common surname in the north of Spain, especially in Navarra, Zaragoza, and La Rioja)
- Stanislaus County, California (named after the Stanislaus River which is named after Chief Estanislaõ who was named after the Polish Saint Stanislaus
- Utah County, Utah (from the Spanish name Yuta, given to the Ute People by early explorers to the area.)
- Uvalde County, Texas (Named after Juan de Ugalde)
- Valencia County, New Mexico (Spanish city of Valencia)
- Val Verde County, Texas (Valverde)
- Ventura County, California (named after the county seat, the city of Ventura which is named after "Saint Bonaventure," a Catholic medieval mystic)
- Victoria County, Texas (Spanish family name, meaning "victory")
- Ysleta Mission, Texas ("Little Island")
- Zapata County, Texas (Spanish family name, "Espadrille")
- Zavala County, Texas
County seats
- Durango, Colorado, in La Plata County, Colorado (Durango, Mexico or Durango, Spain)
- Nevada City, in Nevada County, California
- San Bernardino in San Bernardino County, California
- Santa Ana, in Orange County, California
- Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California
- El Paso, in El Paso County, Texas
- Amarillo in Potter County, Texas ("yellow")
- San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas
- Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida ("fat tip")
Populated cities
Cities
A
- Agua Dulce, El Paso County, Texas ("sweet water")
- Agua Dulce, Nueces County, Texas
- Ajo, Arizona ("Garlic")
- Alamosa, Colorado ("Of Cottonwood")
- Alba, Missouri ("Dawn")
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (in honor of Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, 10th Duke of Alburquerque, duke of the town of Alburquerque in Spain)
- Alameda, California ("Poplar Grove")
- Aledo, Illinois (named after of Aledo, Murcia, in Spain)
- Alhambra, California (named after of Alhambra, in Spain)
- Aliso Viejo, California ("Old alder")
- Alta, Iowa, a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa (tall in female)
- Altamonte Springs, Florida ("High Mountain" Springs)
- Altavista, Virginia ("tall" view)
- Altura, Minnesota (called after of Altura, Castellón, in Spain)
- Alvarado, Texas (named after Alvarado, Veracruz, in Mexico)
- Alvarado, Virginia
- Amador City, California (named for José María Amador; amador means "lover" in Spanish)
- Amarillo, Texas ("Yellow")
- Andalusia, Alabama (named after the Spanish region of Andalusia)
- Anna Maria, Florida (Juan Ponce de León was said to have named the island for Maria Anna of Neuburg, queen of Carlos II of Spain)
- Arroyo Grande, California ("Large Creek")
- Atascadero, California ("Mudhole")
- Aventura, Florida ("Adventure")
B
- Bandera, Texas ("Flag")
- Belen, New Mexico (founded as Nuestra Señora de Belén by a group of Spanish colonists led by Diego Torres and Antonio Salazar)
- Benavides, Texas (named after Plácido Benavides, 1837–1919)
- Blanco, Texas (white)
- Boca Del Mar, Florida ("Mouth of the Sea")
- Boca Pointe, Florida ("Mouth [inlet]")
- Boca Raton, Florida ("Thieves Inlet", also "Mouse Mouth". Ratón in Spanish is "mouse", not "rat".)
- Bogata, Texas
- Bonita Springs, Florida ("beautiful" springs)
- Brazos Bend, Texas ("arms" bend)
- Brea, California ("Tar")
- Buena Park, California ("Good")
- Buena Vista, Virginia ("good view")
C
- Cadiz, Kentucky (named after the Spanish city Cádiz)
- Calabasas, California (from "calabaza", "Squash")
- Calera, Alabama ("Limestone")
- Camarillo, California ("Way")
- Camargo, Kentucky (named after Camargo Municipality, Tamaulipas, in Mexico)
- Campo, Colorado ("Countryside")
- Cañon City, Colorado ("Canyon City")
- Cañones, New Mexico ("Canyons")
- Cape Canaveral, Florida (the name Cañaveral in Spanish means canebrake and was given to the area by Spanish explorers for the cane vegetation, or canebrake on the cape. The name translates as "Cape of Canes", or "Cabo Cañaveral")
- Carlos, Minnesota ("Charles")
- Carpinteria, California (called so for the soldiers of the Portola expedition in 1769 because that the Amerindians have many canoes, and at the time were building one) ("Carpentry")
- Carrizo Springs, Texas ("reed")
- Casa Grande, Arizona ("Big House")
- Cerritos, California ("Little Hills")
- Chico, California ("Small", derived from "Rancho del Arroyo Chico", meaning "Small Stream Ranch")
- Chromo, Colorado ("Chrome")
- Chula Vista, California ("Beautiful View")
- Cibolo, Texas ("Cyber")
- Cimarron, Kansas ("maroon")
- Cordova, Alabama (after Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico)
- Cordova, Alaska (named after the Spanish admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova)
- Cordova, Nebraska (after Córdoba, Spain)
- Cortez, Colorado
- Corona, California ("Crown")
- Coronado, California ("Crowned")
- Costa Mesa, California ("Mesa Coast")
- Corunna, Michigan (named after A Coruña, Spain)
- Cruz Bay, a city on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands ("cross")
- Cuba, Missouri
- Cuba, New Mexico
- Cuba, New York
- Cuero, Texas (hide)
D
- DeCordova, Texas (named after Jacob Raphael De Cordova)
- De Leon, Texas (named after the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon)
- DeSoto, Texas
- De Soto, Iowa
- De Soto, Georgia
- De Soto, Kansas (named for sixteenth-century Spanish explorer, Hernando De Soto)
- De Soto, Missouri (the city, organized in 1857, was named for the explorer Hernando De Soto, who claimed the Louisiana Territory for Spain)
- DeSoto, Texas (named so for Thomas Hernando DeSoto Stewart, a doctor of Spanish partially descent dedicated to the community)
- Diaz, Arkansas
- Delray, Michigan (after Molino del Rey, location of a Mexican–American War battle)
- Delray Beach, Florida (named most immediately from Delray, Michigan)
- Dos Palos, California ("Two Sticks")
- Durango, Colorado (the city was named after Durango, Mexico)
E
- El Cajon, California ("Drawer")
- El Cajon, California ("The Big Box")
- El Campo, Texas ("The Camp")
- El Cenizo, Texas ("The Ash")
- El Centro, California ("The Center")
- El Cerrito, California ("Little Hill")
- El Dorado, Arkansas ("The Golden One")
- El Dorado, California, an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California (the Golden)
- El Dorado, Kansas
- Eldorado, Texas
- El Monte, California ("The Mountain" or "The Meadow")
- El Nido, California ("The Nest")
- El Paso, Texas ("The Pass")
- El Paso, Illinois
- El Reno, Oklahoma ("The Reindeer")
- El Segundo, California ("The Second", second Standard Oil refinery on the West Coast located here)
- Escalante, Utah (in honor of Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, Spanish missionary that explored Utah)
- Escobares, Texas
- Escondido, California ("Hidden")
- Española, New Mexico ("Spanish Woman")
F
- Fernandina, Florida (founded by Florida Spanish governor Enrique White in honor of the Catholic monarch Ferdinand VII of Spain).
- Floresville, Texas – Named after San Antonio's Spanish settler Francisco Flores de Abrego (early settler)
- Fresno, California ("Ash Tree")
- Frisco, Texas (named in honor of the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway)
G
- Galvez, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Ascension Parish, Louisiana (named after governor Bernardo de Gálvez)
- Galveston, Texas (named after governor Bernardo de Gálvez)
- Ganado, Texas ("Livestock")
- Goleta, California ("Schooner")
- Goliad, Texas (believed to be an anagram of Hidalgo (omitting the silent initial "H"), in honor of the patriot priest Miguel Hidalgo, the father of the Mexican War of Independence)
- Gonzales, California
- Gonzales, Louisiana (named so after of mayor of this municipally, Joseph Gonzales)
- Gonzales, Texas (named so after of Rafael Gonzales, Governor of Mexican Texas between 1824 and 1826)
- Gordo, Alabama, town in Pickens County, Alabama ("Fat, Big, Huge")
- Granada, Minnesota
- Guadalupe, California
H
- Havana, Arkansas (named after Havana, Cuba, known in Spanish as La Habana)
- Havana, Illinois
- Havana, Kansas
- Havana, North Dakota
- Hermosa Beach, California ("Beautiful Beach")
- Hernando, Mississippi (named so for the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, discoverer of the Mississippi River)
- Hidalgo, Texas (after Hidalgo County, which in turn was named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla)
I
- Iberia, Missouri (after Latin name of Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal))
- Indio, California ("Indian")
J
- Jacinto City, Texas (derived from a Spanish given name)
- Joaquin, Texas (Joachim)
K
- Key West, Florida (Spanish Cayo Hueso, "Bone Key")
L
- La Cañada Flintridge, California (La cañada is Spanish for "the canyon, gorge, or ravine"; Flintridge was named after its developer, United States Senator Frank P. Flint.)
- La Grulla, Texas (the crane (bird))
- Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Woods, all in Orange County, California ("lagoon"; Niguel is a Spanish spelling of a Native American word)
- La Habra, California
- La Joya, Texas ("The Jewel")
- La Junta, Colorado (the junction)
- Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- La Mesa, California ("The Table")
- La Mirada, California ("The Look")
- La Plata, Missouri ("Silver")
- La Plata, Maryland
- La Puente, California ("The Bridge")
- La Quinta, California ("The Farm")
- La Palma, California (originally called Dairyland because his dairy, when the dairies moved east in 1965, the name of the community was changed to La Palma, after the region's Spanish heritage and its main thoroughfare, La Palma Avenue)
- La Villa, Texas ("The Village")
- Laredo, Texas (named after the Spanish city of Laredo)
- La Vista, Nebraska (the view)
- Las Cruces, New Mexico ("The Crosses")
- Las Vegas, Nevada ("The Meadows")
- Las Vegas, New Mexico
- Leon, Iowa
- Leon, Kansas (it was named after Leon, Iowa)
- Lima, Ohio
- Little Havana, Miami, Florida
- Los Alamitos, California ("The Cottonwoods")
- Los Alamos, New Mexico ("the poplars")
- Los Angeles, California ("The Angels", a shortened version of the original name Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncola, "Our Lady Queen of Angels of Porziuncola")
- Los Banos, California (from Los Baños, "The baths", as in hot springs)
- Los Fresnos, Texas ("the ash tress")
- Los Gatos, California ("The Cats", referring to the cougars that are indigenous to the foothills in which the town is located)
- Los Ybanez, Texas
M
- Madera, California ("Wood")
- Madrid, Iowa
- Madrid, Virginia
- Manteca, California ("Lard")
- Marquez, Texas (named for María de la Marquez)
- Maricopa, Arizona
- Maricopa, California
- Martinez, California
- Merced, California ("Mercy")
- Mercedes, Texas ("Mercies")
- Mesa, Arizona ("Table")
- Mesa, Washington
- Mexia, Texas (Named after General José Antonio Mexía, a Mexican hero for the Republic of Texas Army during the Texas Revolution)
- Mexico, Missouri
- Miramar, Florida (named after a town in Granma Province, Cuba, it means "sea view" or "sea-sight". There is a village called Miramar in Valencia, Spain, where could lie the origins of all the cities in America with that name, as there are registries of the town before the year 1527.)
- Modesto, California ("Modest")
- Monterey, California ("King's Mountain")
- Montevallo, Alabama
- Montevideo, Minnesota, a city in the United States (Montevideo)
- Montevideo, Virginia, a city in the United States
- Mora, Minnesota (Blackberry or Moor woman)
- Moro, Oregon (Blackberry or Moor man)
- Moreno Valley, California ("dark-colored")
- Morro Bay, California (Morro Rock was named in 1542 by Portuguese navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who explored the Pacific Coast for Spain. Cabrillo called the rock "El Moro" because it resembled the head of a Moor, the people from North Africa known for the turbans they wore. However, the dictionary definition for the Spanish word morro ("pebble") is also consistent with the butte-like shape of the rock, and so the term morro is frequently used wherever such a distinctive rock-like mountain is found within the Spanish speaking world.)
- Murrieta, California (derived from a Spanish family name)
N
- Nevada, Texas ("Snow-covered")
- New Iberia, Louisiana (named after Iberian Peninsula)
- New Madrid, Missouri (named after the Spanish capital, Madrid)
- Nogales, Arizona ("Walnut Trees")
O
- Ola, Arkansas (Wave)
- Oviedo, Florida (named after the Spanish city of Oviedo)
P
- Palacios, Texas ("The Palace")
- Palo Alto, California ("Tall Tree" or "Tall Stick")
- Palo Pinto, Texas (roughly translates to "painted stick")
- Palos Verdes Estates, California ("Green Stick")
- Panama City, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Panama, Iowa
- Panama, Nebraska
- Pasco, Washington (named after Cerro de Pasco, Peru)
- Paso Robles, California (shortened version of El Paso de Robles, which means "pass of the oaks"; named for the abundance of oak trees in the area)
- Penalosa, Kansas (called so since 1887, in honor of a Spanish explorer)
- Peñasco, New Mexico ("Boulder")
- Perdido Beach, Alabama, a town located on the northern shore of Perdido Bay ("Lost")
- Pico Rivera, California ("Rivera Peak")
- Pinellas Park (derived from Pinellas, meaning "pine forest")
- Plano, Texas ("Flat")
- Point Arena, California (formerly, Punta Arenas and Puntas Arenas) ("Sand")
- Port Angeles, Washington (from "Puerto de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles")
- Portola, California (named after Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà)
- Potosi, Missouri (named after Potosi, Bolivia)
- Presidio, Texas ("Fort", "Penitentiary")
- Progreso, Texas ("Progress")
- Pueblo, Colorado ("Village")
- Punta Gorda, Florida ("Fat Point" or "Fat Tip")
R
- Rancho Cucamonga, California (ranch)
- Rancho Mirage, California, resort city ("mirage ranch")
- Rancho Palos Verdes, California (a shortened version of the Mexican land grant Rancho de los Palos Verdes which means "range of green trees")
- Rancho Santa Margarita, California
- Rancho Santa Margarita, California (named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores)
- Raton, New Mexico (mouse)
- Redondo Beach, California ("Round Beach")
- Refugio, Texas (named for the mission established there, "Our Lady of Refuge,")
- Resaca, Georgia (“dry river bed”)
- Rio Grande City, Texas
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico ("Ranch River")
- Rio Vista, California ("River View")
- Rio Vista, Texas
S
- Sacramento, California ("Sacrament")
- Salinas, California ("Salt Ponds")
- Salamanca, New York (named for the Spanish executive of the railroad that built the place)
- Salida, Colorado, Statutory City that is the county seat and city of Chaffee County, Colorado ("exit")
- San Angelo, Texas
- San Antonio, Florida ("Saint Anthony")
- San Antonio, Texas
- Saint Augustine, Florida (originally San Agustín: Augustine of Hippo)
- Saint Augustine Beach, Florida
- San Benito, Texas
- San Bernardino, California ("Saint Bernardine")
- San Bruno, California - a city in San Mateo County, California
- San Buenaventura, California (named after "Saint Bonaventure," a Catholic medieval mystic. The city is commonly known as "Ventura".)
- San Carlos, California, city in San Mateo County
- San Clemente, California ("Saint Clement")
- San Diego, California (named after San Diego de Alcalá, a Spanish Franciscan)
- San Diego, Texas
- San Dimas, California (named in Spanish after Saint Dismas)
- San Elizario, Texas
- San Fernando, California
- San Francisco, California ("Saint Francis")
- San Gabriel, California (named after the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded by Junipero Serra)
- San Jacinto, California ("Saint Hyacinth")
- San Joaquin, California (Saint Joachim)
- San Jose, California ("Saint Joseph")
- San Juan, Texas
- San Juan Bautista, California ("Saint John the Baptist")
- San Juan Capistrano, California ("Saint John of Capistrano")
- San Leandro, California ("Saint Leonard")
- San Luis, Arizona ("Saint Louis")
- San Luis Obispo, California (Spanish for "Saint Louis of Toulouse" or San Luis Obispo)
- San Marcos, California ("Saint Mark")
- San Marcos, Texas
- San Mateo, California ("Saint Matthew")
- San Pablo, California ("Saint Paul")
- San Perlita, Texas
- San Rafael, California ("Saint Raphael")
- San Ramon, California ("Saint Raymond")
- San Saba, Texas
- Santa Ana, California ("Saint Anne")
- Santa Barbara, California ("Saint Barbara")
- Santa Clara, California ("Saint Claire")
- Santa Clara, Texas, a city in Guadalupe County, Texas
- Santa Clara, Utah, a city in Washington County, Utah
- Santa Clarita, California ("Saint Claire")
- Santa Cruz, California ("Holy Cross")
- Santa Fe, New Mexico (Holy Faith)
- Santa Fe, Texas
- Santa Fe Springs, California
- San Marcos, Texas
- Santa Anna, Texas
- Santa Maria, California ("Saint Mary")
- Santa Monica, California ("Saint Monica")
- Santa Rita Park, California ("Saint Rita")
- Santa Rosa, California ("Saint Rose")
- Santa Rosa, New Mexico
- Sausalito, California (derived from Spanish word sauzalito, meaning "small willow grove")
- Sebastian, Florida (named St. Sebastian, after Saint Sebastian)
- Seguin, Texas
- Seville, Ohio (named after the Spanish city of Seville)
- Sierra Madre, California (after the mountain range dividing California and Nevada)
- Sierra Vista, Arizona ("Mountain View")
- Socorro, Texas ("Help")
- Soledad, California ("Solitude")
- Sonora, California (founded by Mexican miners—reminiscent of the state of Sonora, Mexico—during the California Gold Rush)
- Sonora, Kentucky
- Sonora, Texas
- South El Monte, California (south "the mountain")
- Spanish Fork, Utah (its name derives from a visit to the area by two Franciscan friars from Spain, Silvestre Vélez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Domínguez in 1776, who followed the stream down Spanish Fork canyon with the objective of opening a new trail from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the Spanish missions in California, along a route later followed by fur trappers).
T
- Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico ("Yellow Land")
- Todos Santos, California ("All Saints", original name for Concord, California)
- Trinidad, California (the area was named la Santísima Trinidad for Trinity Sunday, 11 June, date in which the Spanish explorers Bruno de Heceta and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra took possession of place)
- Trinidad, Colorado
- Trinidad, Texas (trinity)
- Tucson, Arizona (derived from the Spanish word Tucsón)[2]
U
- Uvalde, Texas (called so after Spanish governor Juan de Ugalde)
- Uvalda, Georgia (called also after Juan de Ugalde)
V
- Vacaville, California ("Cow town", called so after Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca (1782-1856), who with Juan Felipe Pena received in 1843 the Rancho Los Putos Mexican land grant, which included the peak that now bears Vaca's name)
- Valdez, Alaska (named after the Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán)
- Vallejo, California (derived from a Spanish family name "Little Valley")
- Vega, Texas ("meadow")
- Ventura, California ("Venture", "Luck", "Fortune", or "Happiness". Common name of San Buenaventura, California; Saint Bonaventure)
- Valparaiso, Florida ("Paradise Valley")
- Valparaiso, Indiana
- Victoria, Texas ("Victory", named after the first Mexican President Guadalupe Victoria)
- Villa Rica, Georgia, city in Carroll and Douglas counties in the state of Georgia (Rich Villa)
- Vista, California (view)
Y
- Yorba Linda, California (hierba linda, "lovely grass")
Z
- Zapata, Texas (derived from a Spanish family name)
- Zavalla, Texas
Native American Reservations
- Cimarron Lake, a reservoir in Mohave County, Arizona (maroon)
- San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico
- San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico (partly in Santa Fe County)
- Sandia Pueblo, New Mexico (partly in Bernalillo County)
- Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
- Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico (partly in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties)
- Santo Domingo Pueblo (partly in Santa Fe County)
- San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Arizona
- Santa Clara Indian Reservation, New Mexico
Census-designated places (CDP) and unincorporated communities
- Agua Caliente, California, part of Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, California (a census-designated place) in Sonoma County, California; means "hot water," from the area's natural hot springs
- Agua Dulce, California, a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California (literally "sweet water"; means "freshwater")
- Agua Linda, Arizona an unincorporated community within Amado, Arizona (a census-designated place) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Agua Nueva, Texas, an unincorporated community in Jim Hogg County, Texas (new water)
- Aguila, Arizona, a census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona (eagle)
- Alamo, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California ("Poplar")
- Alcalde, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (mayor)
- Alhambra Valley, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California (the word alhambra is part of a phase that means to travel in time back to medieval Arab Spain)
- Almeria, Nebraska, an unincorporated community in Loup County, Nebraska (named after a city in Spain which was named an Arabic word meaing "the Watchtower")
- Algodones, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico (cottons)
- Alta, California, a census-designated place in Placer County, California (tall [feminine])
- Alta, Fayette County, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Fayette County, West Virginia
- Alta, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia
- Alta, Wyoming, a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming
- Altamont, California, an unincorporated community in Alameda County, California
- Alto, California, a census-designated place adjacent to Mill Valley in Marin County, California (tall [masculine])
- Alto Bonito Heights, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (tall beautiful)
- Alto, New Mexico, an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, New Mexico
- Alto Bonito, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Amada Acres, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Amado, a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Amigo, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Raleigh County, West Virginia (friend)
- Anacua, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Anza, California, a census-designated place in southern Riverside County, California, in the Anza Valley
- Arboles, Colorado, a census-designated place in Archuleta County, Colorado (trees)
- Arroyo Gardens, Texas (creek Gardens), a census-designated place in Cameron County, Texas (stream).
- Asuncion, California, an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California (assumption)
- Bahia, California, an unincorporated community in Solano County, California ("bay")
- Ballena, California, an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California (whale)
- Barco, North Carolina, an unincorporated community in Currituck County, North Carolina (boat).
- Barrera, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (barrier or gate)
- Bayo Vista, California, an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, California (bay view)
- Benjamin Perez, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Boca Del Mar, Florida, a census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida (mouth of sea)
- Boca Pointe, Florida, a census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida (mouth)
- Boca Raton, Florida, a census-designated place near Boca Raton in Palm Beach County (from Boca Ratón: derives from the Spanish word boca [mouth], which was often used to describe an inlet/mouth of a river, while ratón (literally mouse) was used by Spanish sailors to describe rocks that gnawed at a ship's cable, or mouse was a term for a cowardly thief)
- Bonita, California, a census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California (beautiful or pretty [feminine])
- Bonita, Madera County, California, an unincorporated community in Madera County, California
- Bonita, Kansas, an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Kansas
- Bonita, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in the town of Mountain, Wisconsin, Oconto County, Wisconsin
- Brazos, Texas, an unincorporated community in Palo Pinto County, Texas
- Brito, California, an unincorporated community in Merced County, California
- Buena Vista, California, the name (and former name) of a census-designate place and multiple unincorporated communities in California ("Good view")
- Buena Vista, Michigan - an unincorporated community within Buena Vista Charter Township, Saginaw County in Michigan (named for the place where Zachary Taylor had recently won a victory in the Mexican–American War).[3]
- Buena Vista, New Mexico - an unincorporated community located in Mora County, New Mexico
- Buena Vista, Oregon, unincorporated community in Polk County (after the Battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican–American War)
- Buena Vista, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Caballo, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Sierra County, New Mexico ("Horse")
- Cadiz, California, an unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California
- Cadiz, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Hardin County, Illinois
- Caliente, California, an unincorporated community in Kern County, California ("hot")
- Callao, Utah, small farming community in northern Snake Valley, Utah (named after Callao, Peru)
- Camino, California, a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California (road, path, or way)
- Camino Tassajara, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California
- Campo, California, a census-designated place in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California (camp or field)
- Campo Verde, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (freen field)
- Canyon, California, an unincorporated community near the border of Contra Costa and Alameda counties, in California (taken from cañón)
- Capitan, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana (captain)
- Carlos, Maryland, a census-designated place in Allegany County, Maryland (Charles)
- Carmen, Arizona, an unincorporated community in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Carthagena, Ohio, an unincorporated community in Mercer County, Ohio (named after Cartagena, Spain)
- Casa Blanca, Starr County, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas (white house)
- Casa Piedra, Arizona, a populated place situated in Santa Cruz County, Arizona (rock house)
- Casas, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (houses)
- Casas Adobes, Arizona, a census-designated place in the northern metropolitan area of Tucson, Arizona (adobe houses)
- Castro Valley, California, a census-designated place in Alameda County ("Valley of Castles". Named after soldier and rancher Guillermo Castro)
- Cazadero, California, a census-designated place in western Sonoma County, California ("hunting ground")
- Cedro, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico (cedar)
- Cesar Chavez, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas
- Chalco, Nebraska, a census-designated place in northern Sarpy County, Nebraska (named after Chalco de Díaz Covarrubias, state of Mexico)
- Chaparrito, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Chorro, California, an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California (the gushing water)
- Cimarron, Colorado, an unincorporated community and U.S. Post Office in Montrose County, Colorado
- Cimarron Hills, Colorado, a census-designated place in El Paso County, Colorado
- Cimarron, Texas, an unincorporated community in Harris County, Texas
- Colonia, New Jersey, a census-designated place within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey (colony)
- Colyell, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Livingston Parish, Louisiana (received its name after of Francisco Collell, Spanish sub-lieutenant and Commandant of Galvez, Louisiana (in 1779). Probably was the mispronunciation of name which changed the spelling from "Collell" to "Colyell")
- Concepcion, Texas, a census-designated place in Duval County, Texas
- Conejo, California, an unincorporated community in Fresno County, California (rabbit)
- Conejos, Colorado, a census-designated place, a U.S. Post Office, and the county seat of Conejos County, Colorado ("Rabbits")
- Contra Costa Centre, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California (Opposite Coast)
- Corona, Tennessee, an unincorporated community in Tipton County, Tennessee (crown)
- Coronado, Kansas, an unincorporated community in Wichita County, Kansas (crowned)
- Corte Madera, California, an incorporated community in Marin County, California ("Cut Wood")
- Cortez, California, an unincorporated community in Merced County, California
- Coto de Caza, California, a census-designated place and guard-gated private community in Orange County, California ("Wildlife preserve")
- Cuchara, Colorado, an unincorporated community in Huerfano County, Colorado (spoon)
- Cuzco, Indiana, an unincorporated community in Columbia Township, Dubois County, Indiana. Named after Cusco, Peru
- Del Rey, California, a census-designated place in Fresno County, California (Of the king)
- De Soto, Nebraska, an unincorporated community in Washington County, Nebraska (it was named in honor of the sixteenth-century Spanish explorer, Hernando De Soto)
- Dinero, Texas, an unincorporated community in eastern Live Oak County, Texas (money)
- Dos Palos Y, California, a census-designated place in Merced County, California
- East Alto Bonito, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- East Lopez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- East Verde Estates, Arizona, a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona (East Green Estates).
- El Capitán, a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona (The Captain)
- El Castillo, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Castle)
- El Chaparral, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- El Nido, Merced County, California, a census-designated place in Merced County, California (the nest)
- El Rancho, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico (of Spanish The Ranch)
- El Rancho Vela, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- El Refugio, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (the refuge)
- El Sobrante, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California ("the surplus")
- El Socio, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas (the Partner)
- Elias-Fela Solis, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Escobar I, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Espanola, Florida, an unincorporated community in Flagler County, Florida (Spanish Woman)
- Espanola, Washington, an unincorporated community, in Spokane County in the state of Washington.
- Eugenio Saenz, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Falcon Heights, Texas, a Census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Falcon Village, Texas, a Census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Falconaire, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Fernando Salinas, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, a census-designated place in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- Flor del Rio, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Flower of River)
- Fronton, Texas, a census-designated place (CDP) in Starr County, Texas (pediment)
- Galisteo, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- Gallina, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (hen)
- Ganado, Arizona, a chapter (municipality) of the Navajo Nation and census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona (livestock)
- Garcia, Colorado, an unincorporated community and a U.S. Post Office located in Costilla County, Colorado
- Garciasville, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas
- Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada, a census-designated place in Douglas County, Nevada
- Garza-Salinas II, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Gaviota, California, an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California ("ceagull")
- Golondrinas, New Mexico, an unincorporated community in Mora County, New Mexico (the Swallows)
- Gomez, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in Elliott County, Kentucky
- Gonzalez, Florida, a census-designated place in Escambia County, Florida
- Guadalupe-Guerra, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Guerra, Texas, a census-designated place in Jim Hogg County, Texas (literally "war")
- Campo Verde, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Havana, Alabama, an unincorporated community in Hale County, Alabama
- Havana, Ohio, an unincorporated community in Huron County, Ohio
- Havana, Oregon, an unincorporated community in Umatilla County, Oregon
- Havana, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas
- Havana, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Boone County, West Virginia
- Hernando, Florida, a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida
- Huerfano, New Mexico, a census-designated place in San Juan County, New Mexico (Orphan)
- Indio, Texas, a census-designated place located in Starr County, Texas (Indian)
- Isla Vista, California, a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California (island view)
- Isleta Village Proper, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico ("Little Island")
- Jacinto, Nebraska, an unincorporated community in Kimball County, Nebraska
- Jardin de San Julian, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Garden of Saint Julian)
- JF Villarreal, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- La Blanca, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("The White One")
- La Carla, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- La Casita-Garciasville, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (the little house)
- La Cienega, Arizona, an unincorporated community in Gila County, Arizona
- La Chuparosa, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- La Escondida, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- La Esperanza, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (The Hope)
- Las Flores, California, a census-designated place in Orange County, California ("The Flowers")
- La Gloria, Starr County, Texas, an unincorporated community in Starr County, Texas (the glory)
- La Homa, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas
- La Puerta, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (the door)
- La Reforma, Texas, an unincorporated community in Starr County, Texas (the reforms)
- La Rosita, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (the little rose)
- La Victoria, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (the victory)
- La Loma de Falcon, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Las Lomas, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Las Lomitas, Texas, a census-designated place in Jim Hogg County, Texas
- Las Palmas-Juarez, Texas, a census-designated place in Cameron County, Texas
- Las Trampas, New Mexico, or Trampas, is a small unincorporated community in Taos County, New Mexico (the traps)
- Laguna, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Cibola County, New Mexico (Small lake)
- Laguna Beach, Florida, a Census-designated place in Bay County, Florida
- Lagunitas, California, an unincorporated community in Marin County, California
- Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, California, a census-designated place in the western half of the San Geronimo Valley in Marin County, California
- Laguna Seca, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("Dry Lake")
- Lajitas, Texas, an unincorporated community in Brewster County, Texas ("Little Flat Rocks")
- La Minita, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (The little mine)
- La Paloma Ranchettes, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Lago Vista, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Seen Lake)
- La Minita, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (The little mine)
- Lima, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
- Lima (community), Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in Lima, Pepin County, Wisconsin
- Lima Center, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in Lima, Rock County, Wisconsin
- Linda, California, a census-designated place in Yuba County, California (cute)
- Llano Grande, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("Great Plain")
- Loma Linda East, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Loma Vista, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Longoria, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Los Alvarez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Los Arrieros, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Los Barreras, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Los Berros, California, a census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California (the Watercress in plural)
- Los Ebanos, Starr County, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Los Osos, California, a census-designated place along the Pacific Coast of San Luis Obispo County, California ("The Bears")
- Los Ranchos, California, a census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California (The Ranches)
- Los Villareales, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Lopezville, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas
- Los Ebanos, Hidalgo County, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("The Ebony trees")
- Loxa, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Coles County, Illinois (called after Loja, Granada, in Spain
- Madera Canyon, Arizona an unincorporated community situated in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Madrid, Maine, unincorporated community in East Central Franklin, in Franklin County, Maine
- Madrid, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- Malaga, New Jersey, an unincorporated community in Franklin Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey (called after Malaga, Spain).
- Manuel Garcia, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Manuel Garcia II, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Manzano, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Torrance County, New Mexico (of Spanish Appletree Spring)
- Manzano Springs, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Torrance and Bernalillo counties, New Mexico
- Marina del Rey, California, an affluent census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California ("King's Navy")
- Mariposa, California, a census-designated place in and the county seat of Mariposa County, California (butterfly)
- Marrero, Louisiana, a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (named after the Spanish American politician Louis H. Marrero)
- Martinez, Georgia, a census-designated place in Columbia County, Georgia
- Martinez, Texas, an unincorporated community in eastern Bexar County, Texas
- Martinez, Starr County, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Matagorda, Texas, an unincorporated community in Matagorda County, Texas
- Matamoras, Indiana, an unincorporated community in the northeast portion of Harrison Township, Blackford County, Indiana (named after the Mexican town of Matamoros ("kill the Moors"), which was the first to be occupied by U.S. troops during the Mexican–American War)
- Mendocino, California, an unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California (adjectival form of the family name of Mendoza)
- Mesa, California, a census-designated place in Inyo County, California (table)
- Mesa, Colorado, an unincorporated community and a U.S. Post Office in Mesa County, Colorado
- Mesa del Caballo, a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona (Table of horse)
- Mesa Vista, California, a census-designated place in Alpine County, California ("Table view")
- Mexico, Indiana, a census-designated place in Miami County, Indiana
- Mexico, Kentucky, an unincorporated community, in Crittenden County, Kentucky
- Mexico, Allegany County, Maryland, an unincorporated community, in Allegany County, Maryland
- Mexico, Carroll County, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Carroll County, Maryland
- Mexico, Ohio, an unincorporated community in northeastern Tymochtee Township, Wyandot County, Ohio
- Mexico, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place within Walker Township in Juniata County, Pennsylvania
- Mexico, Montour County, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community in Montour County, Pennsylvania
- Mexico, Texas, a historical unincorporated community in Hunt County, Texas
- Mi Ranchito Estate, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (My Little Ranch Estate)
- Mier, Indiana, a census-designated place in Richland Township, Grant County, Indiana (named after Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipoas, Mexico)
- Miranda, California, an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California
- Miranda, South Dakota, an unincorporated community in Faulk County
- Montana, Kansas, an unincorporated community in Labette County, Kansas
- Montana City, Montana, a census-designated place in Jefferson County, Montana
- Montana (community), Wisconsin, an unincorporated community within Montana in Buffalo County, Wisconsin
- Monte Alto, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("High Mountain")
- Montecito, California, a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California ("Little Mountain")
- Mora, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana (Blackberry or Moor woman)
- Mora, New Mexico (also called Santa Gertrudis de lo de Mora), a census-designated place in and the county seat of Mora County, New Mexico
- Mosca, Colorado, an unincorporated community in Alamosa County, Colorado (named for the nearby Mosca Pass, which was named for the Spanish explorer, Luis de Moscoso Alvarado. It also means fly).
- Mount Vista, Washington, a census-designated place in Clark County, Washington (view)
- Naranja, Florida, census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida (orange)
- Narciso Pena, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- New Almaden, California, an unincorporated community in Santa Clara County, California (named after Almadén, in Spain
- New Santa Fe, Indiana, an unincorporated community within Butler Township, Miami County, Indiana
- North Escobares, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- North Lima, Ohio, an unincorporated community in central Mahoning County, Ohio
- North San Juan, California, a census-designated place in Nevada County, California
- Nunez, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
- Oceano, California, a census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California (ocean)
- Ola, Georgia, an unincorporated community in Henry County, Georgia (Wave)
- Ola, Idaho, an unincorporated community in Gem County, Idaho
- Ola, South Dakota, a census-designated place in Brule County, South Dakota
- Old Escobares, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Olivia Lopez de Gutierrez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Oro Blanco, an unincorporated community in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Oso, Washington, a census-designated place in Snohomish County, Washington (bear)
- Pablo Pena, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Pablo Pain)
- Pacheco, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California
- Pajaro, California, a census-designated place in Monterey County, California (bird)
- Pajaro Dunes, California, a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California
- Pajarito Mesa, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico (Little bird Mesa)
- Palo Blanco, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (White stick)
- Palo Pinto, Texas, an unincorporated community in Palo Pinto County, Texas
- Panama, California (formerly named Rio Bravo after the Spanish name for the Kern River, Rio Bravo de San Felipe), an unincorporated community in Kern County, California
- Pedro, Ohio, an unincorporated community in central Elizabeth Township, Lawrence County, Ohio
- Pena, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (pain)
- Peña Blanca, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico (white peña)
- Peñasco, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico
- Perote, Alabama, an unincorporated community in Bullock County, Alabama (named after Perote, Veracruz)
- Pie, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia (foot)
- Piedra, California, an unincorporated community in Fresno County, California (stone)
- Pilar, New Mexico, a small unincorporated community in Taos County, New Mexico
- Pintura, Utah, an unincorporated community in Washington County, Utah (painting)
- Plumas Eureka, census-designated place in Plumas County, California (feathers)
- Plumas Lake, California, master-planned exurb and census-designated place in Yuba County, California
- Ponderosa, California, a census-designated place in Tulare County, California.
- Ponderosa Pine, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
- Port Mahon, Delaware, an unincorporated community in Kent County, Delaware (named after Mahon, in Menorca, Spain)
- Pozo, California, an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California (Water well)
- Pueblo of Sandia Village, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico
- Quesada, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Quito, Mississippi, an unincorporated community located in Leflore County, Mississippi
- Ramirez, Texas, an unincorporated community in southern Duval County, Texas
- Ramirez-Perez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Ramos, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Rancho Alegre, Texas, a Census-designated place in Jim Wells County, Texas (cheerful ranch)
- Rancho Banquete, Texas, a census-designated place in Nueces County, Texas (Banquet ranch)
- Rancho Chico, Texas, a census-designated place in San Patricio County, Texas (Little ranch)
- Rancho de la Parita, Texas, a small unincorporated community in northwestern Jim Wells County, Texas
- Ranchos Penitas West, Texas, a census-designated place in Webb County, Texas
- Rancho San Diego, California, a census-designated place in San Diego County, California (named after San Diego de Alcalá, a Spanish Franciscan)
- Rancho Santa Fe, California, a census-designated place in San Diego County, California
- Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico
- Ranchitos del Norte, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Little Ranches of the North)
- Rancho Viejo, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Old Ranch)
- Regino Ramirez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Relampago, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas ("Lightning flash")
- Rios, Texas, an unincorporated community in Duval County, Texas (rivers)
- Rio Creek, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
- Rio Grande, New Jersey, a census-designated place within Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey
- Rio Rico, Arizona, a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, Arizona ("rich river")
- Rio Verde, Arizona, a census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona (green river)
- Rivera, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Rodeo, California, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California (round up)
- Rodeo, New Mexico, an unincorporated community in Hidalgo County, New Mexico
- Salida, California, a census-designated place in Stanislaus County, California
- Salineño, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Salineño North, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Saltillo, Nebraska, an unincorporated community in Lancaster County, Nebraska (likely named so after the city of Saltillo, Mexico)
- Saltillo, Ohio, an unincorporated community in Perry County, Ohio
- Saltillo, Texas, an unincorporated community in Hopkins County, Texas
- Sammy Martinez, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- San Antonito, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
- San Carlos, Arizona, a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona ("Saint Charles")
- San Carlos, Texas, a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas
- San Carlos Park, Florida, a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
- San Cristobal, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico
- San Fernando, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- San Gregorio, California, an unincorporated community in San Mateo County, California ("Saint Gregory")
- San Isidro, Texas, a census-designated place (CDP) in Starr County, Texas
- San Jose, New Mexico, a census-designated place in San Miguel County, New Mexico
- San Juan, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
- San Juan, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- San Lorenzo, California, a census-designated place in the San Francisco Bay Area in Alameda County, California ("Saint Lawrence")
- San Lucas, California, a census-designated place in Monterey County, California (named so for the Rancho San Lucas Mexican land grant)
- San Martin, California, a census-designated place in Santa Clara County, California
- San Miguel, Contra Costa County, California, a census designated place in Contra Costa, California
- San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County, California, a census designated place in San Louis Obispo County, California
- San Pablo, Colorado, an unincorporated community in Costilla County, Colorado
- San Pedro, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- San Ramon Village, California, an unincorporated community in Alameda County, California
- San Simeon, California, a census designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California
- Sandia, California, a census-designated place in Imperial County, California (watermelon)
- Sandia Park, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
- Sandia, Texas, a census-designated place in Jim Wells County, Texas
- Sandoval, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Sangre de Cristo Ranches, Colorado, an unincorporated community located near Fort Garland in Costilla County, Colorado
- Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico
- Santa Anna, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Catarina, Texas, an unincorporated community in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Cruz, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- Santa Cruz, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Cruz, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Elena, Texas, an unincorporated community in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Rita Park, an unincorporated community in Merced County, California
- Santa Rosa, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Santa Fe, Missouri, an unincorporated community in southeastern Monroe County, Missouri
- Santa Fe, Ohio, an unincorporated community on the border of Clay Township in Auglaize County and Stokes Township in Logan County, Ohio
- Santa Fe, Miami County, Indiana, an unincorporated community in Butler Township, Miami County, Indiana
- Santa Fe, Spencer County, Indiana, an unincorporated community in Spencer County, Indiana
- Santa Fe, Tennessee, an unincorporated community in Maury County, Tennessee
- Santa Maria, Texas, a census-designated place, in Cameron County, Texas
- Santa Margarita, California, a census-designated place in San Luis Obispo County, California ("Saint Margaret")
- Santa Monica, Florida, an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida
- Santa Nella, California, a census-designated place in Merced County, California
- Santa Susana, California, a census-designated place in Ventura County, California
- Santa Rosa, Arizona, a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona
- Santo, Texas, an unincorporated community in Palo Pinto County, Texas
- Saragossa, Alabama, an unincorporated community in Walker County, Alabama (named after Zaragoza, Spain)
- Sarita, Texas, a census-designated place in and the county seat of Kenedy County, Texas
- Sebastian, Ohio (also St. Sebastian), an unincorporated community in northern Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio
- Sebastian, Texas, a census-designated place in Willacy County, Texas
- Seville, Florida, an unincorporated community in Volusia County, Florida
- Sierra Blanca, Texas, a census-designated place in and the county seat of Hudspeth County, Texas
- San Simeon, California, a census-designated place on the Pacific Coast of San Luis Obispo County, California
- Seboyeta, a census-designated place in Cibola County, New Mexico (spring onion)
- Sobrante, California, an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, California, ("wealthy")
- Sunol, California, an census-designated place in Alameda County, California (derived from a Spanish surname, Suñol)
- Tassajara, California, an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, California (probably from tasajera or tasajara a kind of "slaughterhouse")
- Terlingua, Texas, a mining district and census-designated place in southwestern Brewster County, Texas ("Three Tongues")
- Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, a small unincorporated community and county seat (near the Carson National Forest) in the Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (yellow earth)
- Tierra Dorada, Texas, a census-designated place inStarr County, Texas (Golden Land)
- Tome-Adelino, New Mexico, a former census-designated place in Valencia County, New Mexico. It was called after the governor of New Mexico between 1664 and 1664 Tomé Domínguez de Mendoza.
- Toro Canyon, California, a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California ("Bull")
- Trinidad, Washington, an unincorporated community and ghost town in Grant County, Washington (trinity).
- Uva, California, an unincorporated community in Fresno County, California (grape)
- Uvalde Estates, Texas, a census-designated place in Uvalde County, Texas
- Valdez, Florida, an unincorporated community in southwest Volusia County, Florida
- Valencia West, Arizona, a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona
- Valencia, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Valencia County, New Mexico
- Valle Hermoso, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas (Beautiful valley)
- Valle Vista, California, a census-designated place in Riverside County, Californi (Valley view)
- Valle Vista, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Val Verde, California, a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California
- Val Verde Park, Texas, census-designated place in Val Verde County, Texas
- Vera Cruz, Missouri, an unincorporated community in central Douglas County, Missouri (called so after Veracruz, Mexico) .
- Victor, California, a census-designated place in San Joaquin County, California
- Victoria Vera, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Vida, Montana, an unincorporated village in northern McCone County, Montana (life)
- Vida, Oregon, an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon
- Vida, Missouri, an unincorporated community in Phelps County, Missouri
- Villarreal, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- Vista Center, New Jersey, a census-designated place within Jackson Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey (view)
- Vista West, Wyoming, a census-designated place in Natrona County, Wyoming
- Villanueva, New Mexico, a census-designated place in San Miguel County, New Mexico
- Villas, Florida, a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida
- Vista Santa Rosa, California, a census-designated place in Riverside County, California
- Washington-on-the-Brazos (also known as Washington), an unincorporated area along the Brazos River in Washington County, Texas
- West Alto Bonito, Texas, a census-designated place in Starr County, Texas
- West Lima, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in Bloom, Richland County, Wisconsin
- Yucatan Landing, Louisiana, an unincorporated community in Tensas Parish, Louisiana
- Yucatan, Minnesota, an incorporated community in Yucatan Township, Houston County, Minnesota
- Yucatan, Missouri, an unincorporated community in Callaway County, Missouri
- Zamora, California, an unincorporated community in Yolo County, California
Districts and boroughs
- Armada Road Multi-Family District, a U.S. historic district in Venice, Florida (army)
- Bogota, New Jersey, a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey
- Corona del Mar, a community within Newport Beach, Orange County, California, meaning "crown of the sea"
- Matamoras, Pennsylvania, borough in Pike County, Pennsylvania
- North Villa Rica Commercial Historic District, in Villa Rica, Georgia
- Saltillo, Pennsylvania, a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania (named so after the Mexican War Battle of Saltillo of 23 October 1840)
- San Ysidro, California, district of the City of San Diego
- Raton Downtown Historic District, a Registered Historic District in Raton, New Mexico (mouse)
- Valencia, Pennsylvania, a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania
Neighborhoods
- Andalusia, Pennsylvania, historical neighborhood in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Casa Linda Estates, Dallas, Texas (Cute house)
- Colonia, Oxnard, California (colony)
- Corona, Queens, a lower middle class to middle-class neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens (crown)
- Delray, Michigan, a neighborhood and former incorporated village, located on the southwest side of Detroit, Michigan (from Del Rey, "of the King", Mexico)
- Del Rey, Los Angeles, California, a small district in the west side of Los Angeles (of the king)
- El Sereno, Los Angeles (the Serene)
- Estrella, Goodyear, a mixed-use master-planned community located in Goodyear, Arizona (star)
- Granada Hills, Los Angeles, California
- Laguna Honda (also called Forest Hill), San Francisco, California (deep small lake)
- La Jolla, California, neighborhood in San Diego, California (a combination of a Spanish and a Luiseno word)
- Las Palmas, Fresno, California, neighborhood (and former unincorporated community) in Fresno County, California
- Los Feliz, Los Angeles, in California (the happy)
- Little Havana, neighborhood of Miami, Florida
- Little Mexico, neighborhood of Dallas, Texas
- Montecito Heights, Los Angeles (small mount)
- Monterey Hills, Los Angeles
- Playa del Rey, Los Angeles, a beachside community in Los Angeles, California
- Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, a community in the northeastern part of the city of San Diego, California (ranch little cliffs)
- San Carlos, San Diego, neighborhood in San Diego, California
- San Pedro, Los Angeles, neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, California
- San Roque, California, residential neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California
- Santa Clara, Eugene, Oregon, a neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon
- Santa Fe, Oakland, California, a small neighborhood in North Oakland, California.
- Spanish Town, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- The Castro, San Francisco, a neighborhood in San Francisco, California
- Trinidad, Washington, D.C., neighborhood located in Ward 5, in the northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. (the area got its name from 19th century speculator James Barry, who had once lived on the Caribbean island, whose name is of Spanish origin. Trinity)
- Valencia, California, neighborhood of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California
- Valverde, Denver, a neighborhood in the City and Denver County, Colorado
Towns and Townships
- Acala, Texas, a ghost town in Hudspeth County, Texas (named after Acala Municipality, Chiapas, Mexico)
- Agua Caliente, Arizona, in Maricopa County, Arizona, a place north of the Gila River near Hyder, Arizona ( "hot water". The place is nearby hot springs which were originally used by the local Indians)
- Alta, Indiana, a town in Vermillion County, Indiana
- Alta, Utah, a town in Salt Lake County, Utah (tall in female)
- Alto, Arizona, a ghost town in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Alto, Georgia, town in Banks, Habersham, and Hall counties in the U.S. state of Georgia (tall in male)
- Alto, Texas, a town in Cherokee County, Texas
- Anahuac, Texas (name has various meanings, including "center", "world", and "city", but it also means "capital")
- Arena (town), Wisconsin, a town in Iowa County, Wisconsin (sand)
- Arena Township, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota
- Arispie Township, Bureau County, Illinois (named after Arizpe, Sonora, in Mexico)
- Arriba, Colorado, a Statutory Town located in Lincoln County, Colorado (top)
- Armada Township, Buffalo County, Nebraska (Army)
- Avilla, Indiana, a town in Allen Township, Noble County, in Indiana (named after Ávila, Spain)
- Bexar, Alabama, a rural, mostly agricultural town in extreme west Marion County, Alabama (after Béjar, Salamanca)
- Blanca, Colorado, a Statutory Town in Costilla County, Colorado (white in female)
- Boca Grande, Florida, a town on Gasparilla Island, Florida (big mouth)
- Calabasas, Arizona, a ghost town in Rio Rico, a suburb of Nogales in Santa Cruz County, Arizona (Spanish for "pumpkins")
- Camp Verde, Arizona, town in Yavapai County, Arizona (green)
- Campo, Colorado, a Statutory Town located in Baca County, Colorado (camp)
- Canelo, Arizona, ghost town in eastern Santa Cruz County, Arizona (derivative of the Spanish world "canela" (cinnamon))
- Casa, Arkansas, town in Perry County, Arkansas (house)
- Cadiz, Indiana, town in Harrison Township, Henry County, Indiana
- Castile (town), in Wyoming County, New York
- Chino Valley, Arizona, a town in Yavapai County, Arizona ("Curvy Valley")
- Cimarron City, Oklahoma, is a town in Logan County, Oklahoma (maroon)
- Cimarron Township, Gray County, Kansas
- Cinco Bayou, Florida, a town in Okaloosa County, Florida ("Five Bayou")
- Corona, South Dakota, a town in Roberts County, South Dakota (crown)
- Cuba, Alabama, a town in Sumter County, Alabama
- Cuchillo, New Mexico, a ghost town in Sierra County, New Mexico (knife)
- Del Norte, Colorado, a Statutory Town in and the county seat of Rio Grande County, Colorado (From North)
- Dolores, Colorado, Statutory Town in Montezuma County, Colorado
- Ebro, Florida, a town in Washington County, Florida (named after the Ebro River area in Spain)
- Granada, Colorado, a Statutory Town in Prowers County, Colorado (named after the city of Granada, Spain, itself Spanish for "pomegranate")
- Gomez, Texas, a small town in Terry County, Texas
- Guadalupe, Arizona, a town in Maricopa County, Arizona
- Granada, Colorado, a Statutory town in Prowers County, Colorado
- Havana, Florida, a town in Gadsden County, Florida
- Huachuca City, Arizona, a town in Cochise County, Arizona
- Hermosa, South Dakota, a town in Custer County, South Dakota (beautiful)
- Ignacio, Colorado, a Statutory Town in La Plata County, Colorado
- La Jara, Colorado, a Statutory Town in Conejos County, Colorado ("The Rockrose")
- La Panza, California, formerly a gold boom town, a Ghost towns in San Luis Obispo County, California (The belly)
- La Paz, Indiana, a town in North Township, Marshall County, Indiana (called after La Paz, Bolivia)
- Leon, New York, town in Cattaraugus County, New York (the name is derived from the former Kingdom of León in Spain)
- Leon, Oklahoma, town in Love County, Oklahoma
- Leon, West Virginia, a town in Mason County, West Virginia
- Lima, New York, town in Livingston County, New York
- Lima, Montana, town in Beaverhead County, Montana
- Lima, Grant County, Wisconsin, a town in Wisconsin
- Lima, Pepin County, Wisconsin, a town in Wisconsin
- Lima, Rock County, Wisconsin, a town in Wisconsin
- Lima, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, a town
- Limon, Colorado, Statutory Town that is the most populous town in Lincoln County, Colorado (Lemon)
- Lobo, Texas, a ghost town in Culberson County, Texas (wolf)
- Los Gatos, California (Spanish for "The Cats"), an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California
- Madrid, Alabama, a town in Houston County, Alabama (named after the Spanish capital city Madrid)
- Madrid, Colorado, a ghost town in Las Animas County, Colorado
- Madrid, New York, a town in St. Lawrence County, New York
- Marana, Arizona, a town in Pima County, Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County, Arizona (derived from maraña, meaning "thicket")
- Mariposa Township, Saunders County, Nebraska (butterfly)
- Mexico, Maine, a town in Oxford County, Maine (the name was inspired by local sympathy for Mexico's 1810–1821 fight for independence from Spain)
- Mexico, New York, town in the northeast part of Oswego County, New York
- Mogollon, former mining town located in the Mogollon Mountains in Catron County, New Mexico. The place was called after the governor of colonial New Mexico Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon (1712 - 1715)
- Montana, Wisconsin, a town in Buffalo County, Wisconsin
- Monterey, Indiana, town in Tippecanoe Township, Pulaski County, Indiana
- Moraga, California, suburban incorporated town located in Contra Costa County, California
- Moro Township, Madison County, Illinois (Blackberry of Moor man Township)
- Panama, Oklahoma, town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma
- Patagonia, Arizona, a town in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Pedro, South Dakota, a ghost town
- Perla, Arkansas, town in Hot Spring County, Arkansas (Pearl)
- Pila Blanca, Texas, a ghost town in Duval County
- Ponce de Leon, Florida, a town in Holmes County, Florida (named after Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León)
- Ponce Inlet, Florida, a town in Volusia County, Florida
- Rancho Viejo, Texas, a town in Cameron County, Texas (of Spanish old ranch)
- Rio, Florida, a small town in Martin County, Florida
- Rosa, Alabama, town in Blount County, Alabama (rose)
- Refugio, Texas, in Refugio County, Texas ("Shelter")
- Salduro, Utah (also Salduro Siding), a ghost town located in Tooele County, Utah.
- Salero, Arizona, a ghost town in the Santa Rita Mountains of Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Sandoval Township, Marion County, Illinois
- San Felipe de Austin, a town in Austin County, Texas. The town was named that way by the governor of the Mexican Texas Luciano Garcia.
- San Simeon, California, a town and census-designated place on the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California ("Saint Simeon")
- Santa Anna, Texas, a town in Coleman County, Texas
- Santa Clara, New York, a town in Franklin County, New York
- Santa Fe Township, Clinton County, Illinois
- Santa Rosa, Texas, a town in Cameron County, Texas
- Salamanca (town), New York, in Cattaraugus County, New York
- Saltillo, Indiana, a town in Brown Township, Washington County, Indiana (named so in commemoration of Saltillo, Mexico, the location of a battle in the Mexican–American War)
- Saltillo, Mississippi, a town in Lee County, Mississippi.
- Saltillo, Tennessee, a town in Hardin County, Tennessee
- Seville Township, Michigan, in Gratiot County, Michigan
- Superior, Colorado, a Statutory Town in Boulder County, Colorado (top)
- Tiburon, California, an incorporated town in Marin County, California ("shark")
- Vera Cruz, Indiana, a town in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana
- Yucatan Township, Houston County, Minnesota
Villages
- Alhambra, Illinois, a village in Madison County, Illinois (named after the Spanish palace of la Alhambra)
- Andalusia, Illinois ("Andalucia")
- Arena, Wisconsin, a village in Iowa County, Wisconsin (sand)
- Armada, Michigan, a small village in Macomb County, Michigan (army)
- Bonita, Louisiana, a village in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana (beautiful)
- Cadiz, Ohio, a village in Harrison County, Ohio
- Capitan, New Mexico, a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico (captain)
- Camargo, Illinois, a village in Douglas County, Illinois (named after Camargo, Chihuahua, in Mexico)
- Castile (village), Wyoming County, New York
- Cerro Gordo, Illinois, village in Piatt County, Illinois ("Fat Hill")
- Cimarron, New Mexico, a village in Colfax County, New Mexico (maroon)
- Cordova, Nebraska, a village in Seward County, Nebraska (called after Cordova, Spain)
- Coleta, Illinois, a village in Whiteside County, Illinois (pigtail)
- Corrales, New Mexico, a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico
- Corona, New Mexico, a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico (crown)
- De Soto, Illinois (named for Hernando de Soto, the discoverer of the Mississippi River)
- De Soto, Wisconsin, a village straddling Vernon and Crawford counties in Wisconsin.
- El Portal, Florida, a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida ("The big Gate", also can mean "The Portal")
- Estral Beach, Michigan, village in Monroe County, Michigan ("Star")[4] (from (d)estral, "Small Hatchet")
- Hidalgo, Illinois, village in Jasper County, Illinois ("Nobleman of the lowest grade")
- Lima, Illinois, village in Adams County, Illinois
- Lima (village), New York, village in Livingston County, New York
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico (the ranches)
- Madrid, Nebraska, a village in Perkins County, Nebraska
- Matamoras, Ohio, a village in Washington County, Ohio
- Mexico (village), New York, a village in Oswego County, New York
- Modesto, Illinois, a village in Macoupin County, Illinois
- Palos Park, Illinois, affluent village in Cook County, Illinois (called after Palos de la Frontera, Spain)
- Panama, Illinois, village in Montgomery and Bond counties, Illinois
- Panama, Nebraska, village in Lancaster County, Nebraska
- Panama, New York, village in Chautauqua County, New York
- Parral, Ohio, a village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio (named after Parral, Chihuahua, in Mexico)
- Rio, Illinois, a village in Knox County, Illinois (river)
- Rio, West Virginia, a village in Hampshire County, West Virginia
- Rio, Wisconsin, a village in Columbia County, Wisconsin
- Rio Grande, Ohio, a village in Gallia County, Ohio
- Roca, Nebraska, village in Lancaster County, Nebraska (rock)
- San Jose, Illinois, village in Logan County and Mason counties, Illinois
- Sandoval, Illinois, in Marion County, Illinois
- Santa Clara, New Mexico, a village in Grant County, New Mexico
- Seville, Ohio, in Medina County, Ohio
- Spanish Lake community, in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
- Tijeras, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico (scissors)
- Valparaiso, Nebraska, a village in Saunders County, Nebraska
- Vista, Missouri, a village in St. Clair County, Missouri (view)
Former settlements
- Alisal, California, was a Californio settlement located on the lands of the Rancho Santa Rita near the site of an Indian ranchera ("The Sycamores")
- Alvarado, California, former settlement in and former county seat of Alameda County, California, now annexed to Union City (possibly named for the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado)
- Boca, California, a former settlement in Nevada County, California (named by the railroad Boca (Spanish for "mouth" and "river mouth") because it was near the mouth of the Little Truckee River)
- Chaparral Hill, California, a former settlement and mining camp in Amador County, California ("The place of dwarf oaks")
- Hacienda, California, former settlement in Alameda County, California ("[Big] Farm")
- Merienda, California, former settlement in Niles Canyon, in Alameda County, California (Snack)
- Rio Bravo (former settlement), California, former settlement in Kern County, California
- San Carlos, Inyo County, California, former settlement in Inyo County, California
- San Miguel de los Noches, California, former settlement in Kern County (Saint Michael of the Nights)
- Secreta, California, a former settlement and mining camp in Amador County, California ("secret")
- Vino, California, former settlement in Fresno County, California (wine)
Historic places (still standing)
Forts
- Castillo de San Marcos, in Saint Augustine, Florida
- Fort Barrancas, Florida
- Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida
- Los Adaes, Texas
Missions
- Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas
- Diego Sepúlveda Adobe, California
- Las Flores Estancia, California
- La Purisima Mission, California
- Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, California
- Mission San Antonio de Padua, California
- Mission San Cayetano de Calabazas, Arizona
- Mission Santa Clara de Asís, California
- Mission Concepcion, Texas
- Mission Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi, Arizona
- Mission Santa Barbara, California
- Mission San Buenaventura, California
- Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, California
- Mission San Fernando Rey de España, California
- Mission San Francisco de Asís, California
- Mission San Francisco de la Espada, Texas
- Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, California
- Mission Santa Inés, California
- Mission San José (California)
- Mission San José (Texas)
- Mission San José de Tumacácori, Arizona
- Mission San Juan Bautista, California
- Mission San Juan Capistrano (Texas)
- Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, California
- Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, California
- Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia, California
- Mission San Miguel Arcángel, California
- Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona
- Nombre de Dios (mission), Florida
- Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Tolomato, Georgia
- San Antonio de Pala Asistencia, California
- San Estevan Del Rey Mission Church, New Mexico
- San Pedro y San Pablo Asistencia, California
- Socorro Mission, Texas
Presidios
- Presidio La Bahía, in Goliad, Texas
- Presidio San Antonio de Bexar, San Antonio, Texas
- Presidio of Santa Barbara, California
- Presidio of Monterey, California
- Presidio of San Diego, California
- Presidio of San Sabá, Texas
Ranchos and Spanish lands
- Atrisco Land Grant, New Mexico
- Rancho El Alisal, in Salinas, Monterey, California
- Rancho San Antonio (Lugo), in San Antonio, Texas
- Rancho Calleguas, in Ventura, California
- La Habra, in Orange, California
- Rancho Posa de los Ositos, in Monterey, California
- Rancho San Rafael, in Los Angeles, California
- Rancho San Vicente, in Soledad, Monterey, California
- San Miguel del Vado Land Grant, New Mexico
Islands
- Alameda Island, California ("Poplar Grove")
- Alcatraz Island, California ("Pelican")
- Angel Island (California) (derived of his original Spanish name Isla de los Ángeles)
- Año Nuevo Island, Northern California ("New Year" Island)
- Asuncion Island, one of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Bahia Honda Key, an island in the Florida Keys (deep bay)
- Brazos Island, a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Texas
- Boca Chica Key, Florida ("Small Mouth" Key)
- Camano Island, Washington (after explorer Jacinto Caamaño)
- Dry Tortugas, a group of islands in the Florida Keys in the United States (Dry turtle)
- Farallon Islands, in San Francisco, California (from Farallones: "High Cliffs")
- Farallon de Medinilla, an uninhabited small island in the Northern Mariana Islands (Medinilla ´s Rock)
- Farallon de Pajaros, also known as Urracas, a small uninhabited volcanic island, the northernmost island in the Northern Mariana Islands chain (Birds´ Rock or Magpies)
- Fidalgo Island, Washington (named after the Spanish explorer and cartographer Salvador Fidalgo)
- Key West, Florida (Anglicized from Cayo Hueso: "Bone Cay")
- Key Largo, Florida ("Wide Key")
- Lopez Island, in San Juan Islands, Washington
- Matagorda Island, a barrier island on the coast of Texas
- Perdido Key, Florida ("Lost Key")
- Revillagigedo Island, Alaska (after viceroy of New Spain Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo)
- San Juan Islands (Alaska)
- San Juan Islands, in the Washington state
- San Juan Island, the second-largest and most populous of the San Juan Islands, in Washington
- San Miguel Island, the westernmost of California's Channel Islands
- Santa Catalina Island, California
- Santa Cruz Island, California
- Santa Rosa Island, California
- Santa Rosa Island, Florida ("St. Rose" Island)
- Spanish Harbor Key, island in the lower Florida Keys.
- Yerba Buena Island, sits in the San Francisco Bay between San Francisco and Oakland, California (named after the former name of the city of San Francisco, Yerba Buena, which was changed in 1847. From the Spanish Good herb)
Natural places
Bays and inlets
- Bodega Bay, California
- Castro Cove, an embayment of the San Pablo in Richmond, California
- Matagorda Bay, a large estuary bay on the Texas coast
- Matanzas Bay, in St. Johns County, Florida
- Matanzas Inlet, a channel in Florida
- Monterey Bay, California
- Nueces Bay, a northwestern extension of Corpus Christi Bay in the San Patricio and Nueces counties of Texas
- Perdido Bay, in Perdido River, a designated Outstanding Florida Waters river, in Baldwin County, Alabama and Escambia County, Florida, United States ("Lost")
- San Carlos Bay
- San Francisco Bay, California
- San Pablo Bay, California
- San Pedro Bay (California)
- Strait of Juan de Fuca, in the northwest
- Haro Strait, between the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in the northwest.
- Rosario Strait, in northern Washington state
- Santa Rosa Sound, Florida
Forest
- De Soto National Forest, in Mississippi
- Los Padres National Forest, a United States national forest in southern and central California (the parents)
- San Juan National Forest, Colorado
- San Isabel National Forest, in central Colorado
- Santa Fe National Forest (part), New Mexico
- Sierra National Forest, in California, United States
- Plumas National Forest, California
- Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado (Big River)
- San Bernardino National Forest, in San Bernardino County, California
Mountains, hills, rock, ranges, caves and volcanos
- Abajo Mountains, also called the Blue Mountains, is a small mountain range west of Monticello, Utah (below)
- Blanca Peak, a mountain in Colorado (White Peak)
- Brazos Mountains, a range in far northern Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (arms)
- Caballo Mountains, New Mexico (Horse Mountains)
- Caja del Rio, a dissected plateau, of volcanic origin, which covers approximately 84,000 acres of land in northern Santa Fe County, New Mexico (box of the river)
- Canelo Hills, a range of low mountains or hills in eastern Santa Cruz County, Arizona (Brown Hills)
- Capitan Mountains, a mountain range in Lincoln County, New Mexico (captain)
- Ciervo Hills, low mountain range in west Fresno County, California (Deer Hills)
- Cimmaron Range, in southwest Colorado (maroon)
- Dos Cabezas Mountains, in southeasternmost Arizona (Two heads)
- El Capitan, California, a rock formation (the Captain)
- El Capitan (Texas), a peak in Culberson County, Texas
- Grand Mesa, a large mesa in western Colorado
- Guadalupe Mountains, a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico (named after Guadalupe, Cáceres, Spain)
- Huerfano Butte, an isolated volcanic neck in Huerfano County, Colorado (named "Huerfano" by early Spanish explorers of southern Colorado. Of Spanish Orphan).
- Jemez Mountains, a volcanic group of mountains in New Mexico
- La Panza Range, a mountain range in the Central Coast of California
- La Plata Mountains, small subrange of the San Juan Mountains in the southwestern part of Colorado (silver)
- La Sal Mountains, in Grand and San Juan County counties, Utah along the Utah/Colorado border (The Salt Mountains)
- Little Rincon Mountains, small range of mountains, lying to the east of the Rincon Mountains, at Tucson, Arizona ("Corner")
- Little San Bernardino Mountains, in California
- Luna Peak (Washington), a mountain in the US (moon)
- Manzano Mountains, a small mountain range in the central part of New Mexico (apple tree)
- Manzano Peak, the highest peak in the Manzano Mountains
- Mesa de Maya, volcanic tableland in Colorado
- Mogollon Mountains, of the San Francisco River in Grant and Catron counties of southwestern New Mexico. These Mountains were named for the governor of Spanish New Mexico Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon.
- Mosquito Range, Rocky Mountains range in central Colorado
- Mosquito Pass, a high mountain pass in the Mosquito Range
- Mount Vaca, located in northern California (was named so for Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca (1782-1856), who with Juan Felipe Pena received in 1843 the Rancho Los Putos Mexican land grant, which included the peak that now bears Vaca's name)
- Nacimiento Mountains, New Mexico, also called San Pedro Mountains (Birth Mountains or Saint Peter Mountains)
- Negro Mountain, Pennsylvania and Maryland, United States (Black Mountain)
- Palos Verdes Hills, California (Green Stick)
- Patagonia Mountains, a 15 mile long mountain range south of the Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.
- Puente Hills, a chain of hills, one of the lower Transverse Ranges, in an unincorporated area in eastern Los Angeles County, California
- Raton Pass - mountain pass on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado-New Mexico border in the United States (Mouse Pass)
- Redonda Mesa, a tall mesa located in the Southern Santa Ana Mountains near the Pacific Ocean (round table)
- Rincon Mountains, mountain range east of Tucson, Arizona ("Corner", "Nook")
- Robledo Mountains, a mountain range in Doña Ana County, New Mexico just northwest of Las Cruces
- Sacramento Mountains (California) (are also named for the Sacramento Wash and Sacramento Valley (Arizona))
- Sacramento Mountains (New Mexico), a mountain range in the south-central part of New Mexico
- San Bernardino Mountains, high mountain range in Southern California
- San Emigdio Mountains, part of the Transverse Ranges in Southern California
- San Gabriel Mountains, mountain range located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California
- San Gorgonio Pass, a gap on the rim of the Great Basin between the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the San Jacinto Mountains to the south
- San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio, or Old Greyback, is the highest peak in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges (Spanish missionaries in the area during the early 17th century named the peak after Saint Gorgonius)
- San Jacinto Mountains, a mountain range east of Los Angeles in southern California
- San Joaquin Hills, in Orange County, California
- San Jose Hills, a part of the Transverse Ranges located in Eastern Los Angeles County, California, marking the border between the San Gabriel Valley and the Pomona Valley in the Inland Empire
- San Juan Mountains, in southwestern Colorado
- San Luis Mountains, in Pima County, Arizona
- San Mateo Peak, at the western end of the ridge running west then northwest from Elsinore Peak to Morrell Canyon, California
- San Pedro Arroyo Formation, a geologic formation in New Mexico (creek)
- San Rafael Hills, mountain range in Los Angeles County, California
- Sandia Mountains, a mountain range located in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, New Mexico (watermelon)
- Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. They are located in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in the United States (Blood of Christ).
- Sangre de Cristo Range, called also the East Range, is located in the San Luis Valley, is mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado.
- Santa Ana Mountains, a short mountain range near Santa Ana, California (saint)
- Santa Catalina Mountains, north, and northeast of Tucson, Arizona
- Santa Clara Volcano, a volcanic field and lava flow in southwest Utah.
- Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- Santa Lucia Mountains, a mountain range in coastal central California
- Santa Margarita Mountains, California
- Santa Rosa Range, in northern Nevada
- Santa Rita Mountains, southeast of Tucson, Arizona
- Santa Rosa Mountains (California)
- Santa Susana Mountains, a transverse range of mountains in Southern California, north of the city of Los Angeles
- Santa Ynez Mountains, west coast of North America
- Santos Trail System, a network of mountain bike trails outside of Ocala, Florida (saints)
- Sierra Blanca (Colorado), a mountain range
- Sierra Blanca (New Mexico), a mountain range (White Mountain saw)
- Sierra Madre Mountains (California), a mountain range in northern Santa Barbara County, California
- Sierra Madre Range (Wyoming), a mountain range in the south central portion of the state
- Sierra Nevada, between the Central Valley of California and the Basin and Range Province
- Sierra Valley, in Plumas and Sierra counties, California
- Tejon Pass, a mountain pass, between the southwest end of the Tehachapi Mountains and northeastern San Emigdio Mountains (badger)
- Temblor Range, a mountain range within the California Coast Ranges, at the southwestern extremity of the San Joaquin Valley in California (tremor)
- Vaca Mountains, a mountain range in Napa County, California (was named so for the Vaca family, who, along with their partners the Pena family, were among the earliest white settlers in the area)
- Vaqueros sandstone, a sedimentary rock formation in the western United States
- Valles Caldera National Preserve (part), volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico (Boiler Valley)
- Ventana Cave, a National Historic Landmark in Arizona, U.S.
- Ventana Double Cone, a twin mountaintop in the Ventana Wilderness (window. Early explorers gave the Ventana Double Cone its name because near its summit is a ledge that forms a small slot, or window)
- Verdugo Mountains, a small, rugged mountain range of the Transverse Ranges system, located just south of the western San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, Southern California (executioner)
- Yegua Formation, a geologic formation in Texas (mare or female horse)
Regions
This is not an exhaustive list.
- Albuquerque Basin, one of the largest and deepest of the structural basins in the Rio Grande rift and contains the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Brazos Valley, a region in Texas (a subsection of the larger Central Texas region)
- Cape Canaveral, Florida (Anglicized from Cabo Cañaveral)
- Cape Nuñez, a headland of Nunez Peninsula
- Cimarron National Grassland, in southwest Kansas (maroon)
- Gulf of Santa Catalina, between California and Baja California (Mexico)
- High Sierra Trail, in California, United States
- Llano Estacado, Southwestern United States, between the East of New Mexico and Northern Texas ("Staked Plain")
- Los Angeles Basin, coastal sediment-filled plain located at the north end of the Peninsular Ranges province
- Marquez crater, an impact crater in the US state of Texas
- Mogollon Rim a topographical and geological feature cutting across Arizona. It was called for the governor of Spanish New Mexico Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon.
- Nueces Strip or Wild Horse Desert is the area of south Texas between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande (nuts)
- Raton Basin, Colorado (mouse basin)
- Rincon Bayou, in the Nueces River delta, and located northwest of Corpus Christi, Texas (corner)
- Rio Grande rift, north-trending continental rift zone between Colorado and Chihuahua, Mexico (big river)
- Rio Grande Valley, a location in south Texas
- San Andreas Fault, continental transform fault that extends roughly 810 miles (1,300 km) through California
- San Francisco Bay Area, a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California
- San Joaquin (soil), an officially designated state insignia, the state soil of California (Sain Joachim)
- San Juan Basin, in the Southwestern United States
- San Lucas AVA, an American Viticultural Area located in Monterey County, California
- Sangre de Cristo Formation, a geologic formation in Colorado.
- Santa Ana Canyon, California
- Santa Clara Valley AVA, California wine region in Santa Clara County
- Santa Maria Valley AVA, California wine region
- Tijeras Canyon, a prominent canyon in the central part of New Mexico
Rivers and lakes
- Arroyo de la Laguna, California (Creek of the little Lake)
- Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County) (dry stream) seasonal river, canyon, watershed, and cultural area in Los Angeles County, California.
- Arroyo Seco (Salinas River tributary), a major tributary of the Salinas River in central California.
- Blanca Lake, Washington state (white)
- Bonita Creek, in Newport Beach, Orange County, California (pretty)
- Bonita Creek, in San Bernardino National Forest
- Bosque River, Texas (forest)
- Brazos River, localized between New Mexico and Texas (called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers (translated as "The River of the Arms of God")) (Arms River)
- Caballo Lake, New Mexico (horse)
- Cadiz Dry Lake, nearby of Cadiz, California
- Calabazas Creek (Santa Clara County), California (pumpkin)
- Calabazas Creek (Sonoma County), California
- Calaveras Creek, in Texas (skulls)
- Calaveras Creek (California), a northward-flowing stream in Alameda and Santa Clara counties of California
- Calaveras Lake (Texas), a reservoir on Calaveras Creek
- Calaveras River, in the California Central Valley (called so by Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga when he found many skulls of Native Americans along its banks. skulls)
- Carquinez Strait, narrow tidal strait in northern California (named after the Karkin, a linguistic division of the Ohlone Native Americans who resided on both sides of the strait. From the Spanish karkin)
- Castro Creek, a creek in Richmond, California
- Cimarron River (Arkansas River tributary), a tributary of the Arkansas River with headwaters in New Mexico (maroon)
- Cimarron River (Canadian River tributary), a tributary of the Canadian River entirely within New Mexico
- Cimarron River (Gunnison River tributary), a tributary of the Gunnison River in Colorado
- Conejos River, a tributary of the Rio Grande, in south-central Colorado (rabbits)
- Cristianitos Creek, California (little Christians)
- Cuchillo Negro Creek, stream in Sierra County, New Mexico (Black knife Creek)
- Estrella River, river in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California (star)
- Green River (Colorado River tributary) (the Spanish friars Escalante and Domínguez had originally named this river "Río Buenaventura" (Buenaventura River) in his expedition in Utah in 1775, but in the early nineteenth century, the Spanish and Mexicans named it "Río Verde", or Green River)
- Guadalupe River (California)
- Huerfano River, tributary of the Arkansas River that flows from a source on Blanca Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado (orphan).
- Key Vaca, an island in the middle Florida Keys (cow)
- Laguna Blanca (California) (white little lake)
- Laguna Creek, Elk Grove, California (little lake)
- Laguna Creek (San Mateo County), a tributary of San Mateo Creek in San Mateo County, California
- Laguna Creek (Santa Cruz County), California
- Laguna Lake (California), a lake in northern California
- Lake Barco, a lake in Putnam County, Florida (boat)
- La Plata River (San Juan River tributary), in Colorado (silver)
- Lobos Creek, a stream in San Francisco, California (wolves Creek)
- Lopez River, in Monroe County, Florida
- Los Alamos Canyon Creek
- Los Angeles River, in Los Angeles Country, California.
- Los Vaqueros Reservoir, a man-made lake near Brentwood, California
- Matanzas River, Florida
- Maravillas Creek, Texas (wonders creek)
- Mora River, a river in northeastern New Mexico, tributary of the Canadian River (blackberry)
- Mosquito Lagoon, Florida
- Mosquito Creek (British Columbia), a creek in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.
- Mosquito Creek (Feather River), a California tributary of the North Fork Feather River
- Mosquito Creek (Iowa), a tributary of the Missouri River
- Mosquito Creek (Lake Oroville), a California tributary of the Feather River source
- Mosquito Creek (Pennsylvania), a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River
- Mosquito Creek (Virginia), a tributary of Chincoteague Bay
- Mosquito Creek Lake, reservoir in Trumbull County, northeast Ohio
- Nacimiento River, river in southern Monterey County and northern San Luis Obispo County, California (birth)
- Nueces River, a river in Texas (nuts. Early settlers named the river after the numerous pecan trees along its banks)
- Pajaro River, in California (Bird River)
- Patagonia Lake, between southwest of Patagonia, Arizona, and northeast of Nogales, Arizona
- Perdido River, localized between the states of Alabama and Florida (Lost River)
- Piedra River (Colorado), a tributary of the San Juan River (Colorado River tributary) (stone)
- Rio Brazos (New Mexico), a tributary of the Chama River (Rio Grande), New Mexico (River Arms)
- Rio Grande, localized between the southwest of United States and Mexico (Big River)
- Salinas River (California) ("Salt mines")
- Sacramento River, the principal river of Northern California
- Sacramento Wash, a major drainage of Mohave County, Arizona
- San Antonio River (California), river in southern Monterey County, California
- San Antonio River, a major waterway that originates in central Texas in a cluster of springs in Midtown San Antonio
- San Carlos Lake, Arizona
- San Fernando Creek, Texas
- San Gabriel River (California), through southern Los Angeles County, California
- San Joaquin River, the largest river of Central California
- San Juan Creek, California
- San Juan River (California)
- San Juan River (Colorado River tributary)
- San Leandro Creek, in Northern California (formerly Arroyo de San Leandro)
- San Lorenzo Creek, California
- San Mateo Creek (Southern California)
- San Mateo Creek (San Francisco Bay Area)
- San Miguel River (Colorado)
- San Pedro River (Arizona)
- San Saba River (Texas), named by governor of Spanish Texas Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos in 1732. He called it Río de San Sabá de las Nueces (San Saba River of the walnuts)
- San Sebastian River, a tidal channel which flows into Matanzas Bay, Florida
- Santa Ana River, the largest river in Southern California, flows through Santa Ana
- Santa Clara River (California), north of Los Angeles
- Santa Clara River (Utah)
- Santa Cruz River (Arizona), river in southern Arizona, and northern Sonora, Mexico, ("Holy Cross River")
- Spanish Lake (Ascension Parish), Louisiana
- Spanish Lake (Iberia Parish), Louisiana
- Spanish Lake, Missouri
- Tabasco Creek, Alaska
- Uvas Creek, river of California (grapes creek)
- Verde River, Arizona (Green River)
- Verdugo Wash, river in the Glendale area of Los Angeles County, California (executioner)
- Yegua Creek, a river in Central Texas and part of the Brazos River drainage basin (mare of female horse)
Springs and waterfalls
- Bonita Falls, a set of waterfalls in the San Bernardino National Forest, formed by Bonita Creek
- DeSoto Falls (Alabama), waterfall located on the West Fork of the Little River near Mentone, Alabama (they are named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto)
- DeSoto Falls (Georgia), located in Lumpkin County, Georgia along Frogtown Creek (are named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto, who passed through Georgia around 1540)
- San Marcos Springs, Texas
- San Pedro Springs, Texas
Valleys
- Anza Valley, located in southern Riverside County, California
- Conejo Valley, in region spanning both southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County, Southern California (rabbit)
- Sacramento Valley, portion of the Central Valley (California)
- Sacramento Valley (Arizona), between north–south trending valley west and southwest of Kingman in Mohave County.
- Salinas Valley, west of the San Joaquin Valley and south of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley—Silicon Valley, California
- San Fernando Valley, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California
- San Gabriel Valley, Southern California, lying generally to the east of the city of Los Angeles.
- San Jacinto Valley, in south western Riverside County, California
- San Joaquin Valley, area of the Central Valley (California)
- San Luis Valley, extensive high-altitude basin in Colorado with a small portion overlapping into New Mexico
- San Pedro Valley (Arizona), in western Cochise County, Arizona
- San Rafael Valley, in eastern Santa Cruz County, Arizona
- Santa Clara Valley, runs south-southeast from the southern end of San Francisco Bay in Northern California
- Santa Clara River Valley, a valley in Ventura County, California
- Santa Clarita Valley, part of the upper watershed of Santa Clara River in Southern California.
- Verde Valley, in central Arizona (green valley)
Wilderness, deserts and dunes
- Algodones Dunes, a large erg (sand dune field) located in the southeastern portion of California, near the border with Arizona and the Mexican state of Baja California (cottons).
- Manzano Wilderness, in western Torrance County and eastern Valencia County, New Mexico (the region received the name when early Spanish settlers discovered ancient apple trees growing a few miles east of the present-day wilderness)
- San Gorgonio Wilderness, in the San Bernardino Mountains
- San Pedro Parks Wilderness, located in southern Rio Arriba County in northern New Mexico and part of the Santa Fe National Forest
- Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of Cibola National Forest, is located east of Albuquerque, New Mexico (watermelon)
- Spanish Peaks Wilderness, in Huerfano County and Las Animas County, Colorado
- Sonoran Desert, a desert in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States
- South San Juan Wilderness, a Wilderness area located east of Pagosa Springs, Colorado
- Ventana Wilderness, a Federally designated wilderness located in the Santa Lucia Mountains along the Central Coast of California (window)
Wildlife Refuges and protected areas
- Blanca Wetlands, Area of Critical Environmental Concern, or Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area, is an area of the San Luis Valley in Colorado, United States, that serves as a refuge for birds, fish and other wildlife (white)
- Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
- Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve, a protected area in Canelo Hills, Arizona (brown)
- Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, in Colorado (blood of Christ)
Parks
- Agua Caliente County Park, park with geothermally heated springs. The park is located just west of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, in eastern San Diego County, California
- Alta Lake State Park, a park in the northwest interior of the state of Washington (tall in female)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, state park located within the Colorado Desert of southern California. The park takes its name from 18th-century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for bighorn sheep.
- Brazos Bend State Park, a state park along the Brazos River in Needville, Texas (arms)
- Coronado Heights, hill in Lindsborg, Kansas (named after of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, already that it is alleged to be near the place where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and turned around to return to Mexico).
- Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site, a state park in Oregon (of king)
- De Soto National Memorial, in Bradenton, Florida
- DeSoto Site Historic State Park, a Florida state park located in Tallahassee, Florida
- Dry Tortugas National Park - National park localized west of Key West, Florida
- Fort De Soto Park, in St. Petersburg, Florida (named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto)
- Fort Verde State Historic Park, in Camp Verde, Arizona
- Louis H Marrero Park, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (founded in honor to Spanish American politician Louis H. Marrero).
- Mesa Verde National Park, in Montezuma County, Colorado
- Plumas-Eureka State Park, California state park located in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in Plumas County, California
- Presidio of San Francisco, California (former Presidio and, at present, a park)
- San Juan Island National Historical Park, on San Juan Island in the state of in Washington
- San Pedro Springs Park, in San Antonio, Texas
- Verdugo Park, park in the Verdugo Mountains in the eastern San Fernando Valley of Southern California (executioner)
Peninsulas
- Matagorda Peninsula, narrow spit of land on the southeastern coast of Texas
- Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
- San Francisco Peninsula, California
- Tiburon Peninsula, California (of Spanish "Shark")
Institutions, buildings and streets
- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, a gambling facility, run by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, in Rancho Mirage, California.
- Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, in Alcatraz Island, California
- Arizona Rancho, former hotel in Holbrook, Arizona
- Canelo Ranger Station, near Canelo, Arizona
- Conquistador Council, a Boy Scouts of America local council in New Mexico
- Granada War Relocation Center, a Japanese American internment camp during World War II, in Granada, Colorado
- Lagunitas Brewing Company, in California
- Los Robles Gate, a historic site in Tallahassee, Florida
- Moreno Valley Mall at Towngate, a shopping mall located on the former site of the Riverside International Raceway in Moreno Valley, California
- PARC (company) (Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated)
- Santa Ana Star Center, New Mexico
Estates, houses and buildings
- Andalusia (Milledgeville, Georgia), estate
- Andalusia (estate), also known as the Nicholas Biddle Estate, in Pennsylvania
- Atalaya Castle (US), winter home of industrialist and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, the sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, near the Atlantic coast in Murrells Inlet, Georgetown County, South Carolina (watchtower)
- Bonita Creek Estates, Arizona (pretty)
- Casa de la Guerra, the residence of the fifth commandant of the Presidio of Santa Barbara, José de la Guerra y Noriega from 1828 until his death in 1858 (House of la Guerra)
- Palo Alto Plantation (Donaldsonville, Louisiana)
- Palo Alto Plantation (Palopato, North Carolina)
- Paseo de la Guerra, a complex of historic buildings in downtown Santa Barbara, California
- Rancho Joaquina House, Mission Revival/Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona
- Santa Maria (building), a skyscraper in Miami, Florida
- Tonto Estate, Arizona (fool)
- Valencia (Ridgeway, South Carolina), historic plantation home. This is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Fairfield County, South Carolina
- Villa Maria (Long Island), a landmark estate in Water Mill, New York.
Streets and roads
This is not an exhaustive list.
- Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California
- Avenida de las Pulgas ("Avenue of the Fleas")
- Avenida de las Tiendas, San Diego, California ("Avenue of Shops")
- Camino Pablo ("Path of [Saint] Paul")
- Cordova Street, in St. Augustine, Florida
- El Camino Real (California) ("The Royal Road" or "The King's Highway")
- Estrella Freeway, Arizona State Route 303 in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona (star)
- La Palma Avenue, in La Palma, California
- Marrero Road, localized between Ames Boulevard and Barataria Boulevard, Louisiana (named after Isleño politician Louis H. Marrero)
- Rodeo Drive, famous shopping street in Beverly Hills, California (round up)
- San Fernando Road, a road that passes through San Fernando and the San Fernando Valley, California
- San Pablo Avenue, California ("Saint Paul Avenue")
- San Pedro Street, a major north–south thoroughfare in Los Angeles, California
- Santa Ana Freeway, a major freeway from Los Angeles to Santa Ana, California
- Santa Monica Boulevard, California (from Santa Mónica: "Saint Monica")
- Verdugo Road, in Glendale, California (executioner)
Railroads and Metro station
- Camino, Placerville and Lake Tahoe Railroad, an 8-mile (13 km) Class III shortline railroad operating in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of Sacramento, California
- Castro Street Station, a Metro station in San Francisco, California
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge heritage railroad
- Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
- San Fernando (Pacific Electric), railroad from San Fernando to downtown Los Angeles
- San Pedro Street (Los Angeles Metro station)
Airports
- Agua Caliente Airport (FAA LID: L54) (Agua Caliente Airstrip), a public airport a mile northeast of Agua Caliente County Park, San Diego County
- Laguna Army Airfield, a military airport in Arizona, United States
- Albuquerque International Airport
- Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County
- Sierra Sky Park Airport in Fresno, California
Churches
- El Santuario de Chimayó, Church in New Mexico (the sanctuary)
- Leon United Methodist Church, now known as the Leon Historical Society Museum, is a historic United Methodist church building located at Leon, New York
- San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, church located in the historic district of Ranchos de Taos.
- Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, church located in New Mexico
Theatres
- Castro Theatre, a movie theater in San Francisco, California
- El Rey Theatre, a live music venue in Los Angeles, California (the king)
- Granada Theatre (Chicago), a Chicago-area theater
- Granada Theater (Emporia, Kansas)
- Granada Theater (Kansas City, Kansas)
- Granada Theater (Lawrence, Kansas)
- Granada Theater (Dallas, Texas)
- Granada Theater (Ontario, California)
- Granada Theater (The Dalles, Oregon)
- Granada Theatre (Chicago)
- Granada Theatre (Sherbrooke)
- Granada Theatre (Santa Barbara, California)
- Granada Theatre (Racine, Wisconsin), designed by J. Mandor Matson
Schools and Academies
- Amigos School, a bilingual primary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Barco Law Building, an academic building housing the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Bosque School, a preparatory school in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- Granada Hills Charter High School in California
- Granada Middle School in Whittier, California
- Matagorda Independent School District, a public school district based in the community of Matagorda, Texas
- Mendoza College of Business, a comprehensive full-time business school at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana
- Nunez Community College, a college in Chalmette, Louisiana
- Ola High School (Arkansas), Ola, Arkansas (closed)
- Ola High School (Georgia), McDonough, Georgia
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District, in Watsonville, California
- Pedro Menendez High School, St. Johns County, Florida (it was named for Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, a sixteenth-century Spanish admiral and pirate hunter who founded St. Augustine, Florida, the first permanent European settlement and oldest port city in what is now the continental United States, on August 28, 1565)
- Sandia Preparatory School, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Sandia View Academy, in Corrales, New Mexico
- Sangre de Cristo Seminary and School for Biblical Studies was incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit organization
- Santa Catalina School, Monterey, California
- Santa Clara University, a private, co-educational Roman Catholic university on the grounds of Mission Santa Clara de Asís
- Val Verde Unified School District, in Moreno Valley, California and Perris, California
- Val Verde High School, in Perris, California
- Villa Maria is a former college in Erie, Pennsylvania.
- Villa Maria College is a college in Cheektowaga, New York
Organizations
- Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) is a historical association of Pajaro Valley in Central California
- Las Palomas, a 501(c)(3) women's organization, based in Scottsdale, Arizona (The Pigeons)
- Sierra Club, one of the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the United States. Founded on May 28, 1892 in San Francisco, California.
- Ventana Wildlife Society, a non-profit environmental organization in California
Others
- Acequia Madre de Valero (San Antonio) ("main ['mother'] irrigation canal of Valero")
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, New Mexico (part), is a part of the United States National Historic Trail system, that was a 1,600 mile (2560 kilometer) long trade route between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, from 1598 to 1882 (The Royal Road of the Interior Land)
- Havana on the Hudson, nickname derived from the capital of Cuba, Havana, and the geographic proximity to the Hudson River to describe the northern part of Hudson County, New Jersey.
- Hidalgo, Kentucky
- Laguna Honda (Catron County, New Mexico)
- Laguna Honda (Cibola County, New Mexico)
- Los Serranos, Chino Hills, California, a subdivision neighborhood within the city of Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, California
- Mariposa, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a master-planned community (butterfly)
- Moreno, San Diego County, California
- Rincon (surfspot), a surf spot located at the Ventura and Santa Barbara County line in Southern California (angle or corner)
- Tabasco, New York, a hamlet in Ulster County, New York
- Valverde, New Mexico, the site of the Battle of Valverde during the American Civil War
See also
- List of English words of Spanish origin
- List of U.S. state name etymologies
- Lists of U.S. county name etymologies
- List of U.S. place names of French origin
- List of place names of German origin in the United States
- List of place names in the United States of Native American origin
- List of non-US places that have a US place named after them
- List of Spanish place names in Canada
References
- ^ Carvajal, Guillermo (January 13, 2014). El Desconocido Origen Español del Nombre de Ocho Estados de Norteamérica [The unknown Spanish origin of the name of eight States of North America]. ABC. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the ... - William Bright - Google Libros. ISBN 9780806135984. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
- ^ Walter Romig, Michigan Place Names, p. 86
- ^ Walter Romig, Michigan Place Names, p. 187