Favorite Portuguese Names for Boys

  1. Bernardo
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "strong as a bear"
    • Description:

      This Latinate form of Bernard hovered in the lower regions of the US Top 1000 from the late 1940s until 2006, possibly inspired by the character in West Side Story. It remains popular in Portugal and it does have a little more flair than the grandpa style Bernard.
  2. Jeremias
    • Origin:

      German, Portuguese and Finnish variation of Jeremiah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "appointed by God"
    • Description:

      This international variant of the popular Jeremiah refreshes the Old Testament name by lending it the stylish -s ending of Silas, Ozias, and Amias. Popular in Czechia and Puerto Rico, Jeremias entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
  3. Rodolfo
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "bold wolf"
    • Description:

      Romanticizes Rudolph and distances the name from the red-nosed reindeer. After remaining steadily in the US Top 500 for much of the twentieth century, Rodolfo has been slipping of late.
  4. Frederico
    • Origin:

      Italian and Portuguese form of Frederick, German
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      Combining the elements 'frid' (peace) and 'ric' (ruler, power), Frederico carries a strong, noble connotation that has appealed to families across generations. The name has been borne by numerous European royalty and nobility throughout history, lending it an air of distinction and heritage.
  5. Joaquim
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Joachim, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "established by God"
    • Description:

      A softer take on Joaquin or a quirkier version of Joachim, depending on how you look at it.
  6. Álvaro
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "elf army"
    • Description:

      The final o adds a good measure of attractiveness. Álvaro is well-used Spanish saint's name with a lot of flair that could definitely cross over to more general usage. It reached its peak in the United States in 1985, when it ranked Number 456. In Spain, Álvaro is a Top 20 boys' name.
  7. Aquilino
    • Description:

      Aquilino is a masculine name of Latin origin derived from 'aquila,' meaning 'eagle.' This powerful association gives the name a sense of strength, freedom, and nobility. Particularly common in Italian and Spanish-speaking countries, Aquilino carries a rich historical legacy dating back to ancient Rome, where it was used as both a family name and personal name. The eagle symbolism suggests qualities of vision, courage, and leadership. Despite its classical roots, Aquilino remains relatively rare in modern usage, giving it a distinctive character while maintaining its traditional appeal. The melodic four-syllable rhythm creates a name that is both dignified and memorable, perfect for parents seeking a name with depth and historical resonance.

  8. Sancho
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Santos
    • Description:

      Name of nine provincial Spanish kings, but more likely to conjure up Sancho Panza, the hapless squire of Don Quixote.
  9. Ricardo
    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish variation of Richard
    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"
    • Description:

      Richard is far from fashionable, but Ricardo is one of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US. And it does sound far more appealing that the English version.
  10. Albano
    • André
      • António
        • Aristides
          • Báltazar
            • Bartolomeu
              • Benjamim
                • Caetano
                  • César
                    • Ega
                      • Estêvão