Joaquín

God raises up

Joaquín is a Spanish masculine name with Hebrew roots, traditionally understood as “God raises up”. It belongs to the Joachim name family, usually traced to Yehoyaqim. In Christian tradition, Joachim is the father of Mary, giving the name a religious association that extends beyond its original Hebrew meaning. Joaquín is used in Spain and also in Argentina. The sound has an expansive opening and a firm finish: the emphasis falls on the final -quín. The opening vowels may be pronounced separately or drawn together, and the Spanish j varies with regional accent. That contrast between a flowing start and a sharply defined ending gives Joaquín a strong, classic feel without making it sound ponderous.

Etymology: Spanish form of Joachim, usually traced to Hebrew Yehoyaqim, combining the divine name Yahweh with a verb meaning “to raise up”.