30 Baby boy names inspired by icons from the past & present

Alfonso Cuarón is a critically acclaimed director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, and editor. He's won five Academy Awards thus far, and we have a feeling he'll win a bunch more. The meaning of the name is noble and ready.

San Juan Bautista is the Spanish version of St. John the Baptist, who is considered to have ushered in the Christian era. In Italy, the name is used for girls, but we think it is perfectly suited for boys as well.

César Chávez, born on March 31, 1927, was one of the cofounders of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers Union; he died on April 23, 1993. The meaning of the name is unclear. Some people believe it refers to cutting as in cesarean section, while others say it refers to a blue-gray color.

Dante Alighieri, who lived on or around the years 1265 to 1321, is the author of the poem Divine Comedy, which is considered one of the most important Italian literary works. The name is a shortened version of Durante, which means enduring.

Desi Arnaz was born in Cuba on March 2, 1917, and went on to become a pioneer in American television until his death on December 2, 1986. The name is derived from the female version Desiree, which means desired.

Diego Rivera was a renowned Mexican painter who helped create the Mexican mural movement. He was born on December 8, 1886, and died November 24, 1957. Diego was also the love of Frida Kahlo's life. The name is the Spanish version of James, which means the supplanter or he who replaces.

Edward James Olmos has been a pioneer for diversifying the roles offered to Latino actors in the United States. The name means wealthy or fortunate guardian.

Emiliano Zapata was a leader of the peasant revolution in Morelos, Mexico, and is the inspiration for the current-day Zapatismo agrarian movement. He was born on August 8, 1879, and died on April 10, 1919. The name means to rival, trying to equal or excel, or emulating.

Federico García Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, and was executed by the Nationalist firing squad during the Spanish Civil War in August 1936. His career as a writer lasted only 19 years, but in that short time he created works that ushered in the second golden age of Spanish theater. The name means peaceful ruler.

Gabriel García Márquez was born on March 6, 1927, and is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was awarded the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature and wrote all the way until his death on April 17, 2014. The name means God is my strength.

Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564, to January 8, 1642) is considered to be the father of modern physics, the scientific method, and modern science. The name means from Galilee.

Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek mythological figure Herakles. He was a demigod conceived by a mortal woman and Zeus. He had a hard life, but he was known for his incredible strength.

Geronimo (1829 to 1909) was actually named Gokhlayeh, which means one who yawns. He is one of the most famous Native American leaders of his time. Jerónimo means sacred name.

You probably don't need us to tell you who Jesus Christ is, but just in case, he is considered the son of God by many people and figures pretty prominently in the Bible and Christian religions. The name is not commonly used outside of Spanish-speaking countries or communities.

Jorge Ramos is considered the Walter Cronkite of Latin America. He is perhaps the best known Spanish-language reporter in the United States. The name means earth worker or farmer.

Julio Cortázar, born on August 26, 1914, wrote novels, short stories, poetry, and plays that were experimental and helped usher in the Latin American Boom, a literary movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He died on February 12, 1984. The name means youth.

Leonardo da Vinci (April 1452 to May 1519) is one of the most influential figures of the Renaissance era. The name means brave as a lion or lion-hearted.

Mario Moreno, born on August 12, 1911, is one of the most familiar and beloved entertainers of all time in the history of Latin American cinema. Cantinflas, as he was widely known, died on April 20, 1993. The name is believed to be derived from Mars, the Roman god of war, or the female version of Maria.

Michelangelo, who lived during the 1500s, is one of those icons who is so well-known, he's usually referred to by just his first name. He's considered one of the greatest artists of all time. The name means he who is like god, an angel.

Octavio Paz was born on March 31, 1914, and was awarded the 1990 Nobel Prize in Literature. He is one of the most important Mexican writers of our time, and the masterpiece The Labyrinth of Solitude, about Mexican identity, is one of his most notable works. He died on April 19, 1998. The name means the eighth.

Pablo Neruda was born on July 12, 1904, and was awarded the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. He died just two years later, on September 23, 1973. The name means small.

Pablo Picasso, born on October 25, 1881, was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet, and playwright, and he is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He died on April 8, 1973.

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is one of the most important Spanish literary works. The title character is a tragicomic hero who sees the world like no one else.

Ricardo Montalbán (November 25, 1920, to January 14, 2009) was already a star in Mexico when he caught the attention of MGM Studios, which cast him in several films in the United States. He worked all the way into his 80s. The name means brave ruler.

Samson is a sort of biblical version of Hercules. He was a strong and heroic man who came to a tragic end.

Carlos Santana is a gifted guitarist who was born in Mexico and later moved to the United States and became an American citizen. He pioneered a sound that is a fusion of Latin American jazz and rock and roll. The name is a shortened version of Santa Ana.

Símon Bolívar (July 24, 1783, to December 17, 1830) led revolutions against the rule of Spain in what are now the countries of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama. The name means heard.

St. Valentine is a third-century Roman saint who is commemorated every year on February 14. The name means to be healthy and strong.

Vicente Fernández is a singer, actor, film producer, and a cultural icon. The name means to conquer.

Walter Mercado is a beloved and celebrated astrologer, who started his career as a dancer and actor. The name means ruler or commander of an army.

Add these boy names inspired by icons from the past & present to your Pinterest boards as an idea for your son.