Portuguese Names
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
Portuguese names are found mainly in Portugal and Brazil, with many names popular in those Portuguese-speaking countries similar to Spanish names. Baby names popular in Portugal include Sofia and Ana, Francisco and Santiago, names also used widely through South America and Latinate Europe. For that reason, Portuguese names feel familiar as they have an international flavor. For more on deeper look, read this article on the usage of Portuguese names.
The full complement of Portuguese baby names on Nameberry follow. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
The full complement of Portuguese baby names on Nameberry follow. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Hugo
Origin:
Latinized form of HughMeaning:
"mind, intellect"Description:
Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's backed up by lots of solid history and European style.
- Ines
Origin:
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody true romances in history!
- Thiago
Origin:
Spelling variation of Tiago, diminutive of SantiagoMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Some high-profile soccer stars, such as Thiago Silva, have contributed to its success. The correct Portuguese pronunciation is chee-AH-go. Thiago is ranked Number 2 for boys in Puerto Rico.
- Fia
Origin:
Irish or Portuguese or ItalianMeaning:
"wild or weaver"Description:
Fia may be most notable at this moment as the Anglicized version of the Irish Fiadh, one of the fastest-rising names in the Republic of Ireland. The meaning of Fia or Fiadh is sometimes given as "deer" but that's in the sense of a wild deer, as the name relates to the ancient word for wild.
- Esmeralda
Origin:
Spanish and PortugueseMeaning:
"emerald"Description:
Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.
- Theresa
Origin:
English form of the Spanish TeresaMeaning:
"to harvest"Description:
The popular appeal of the strong, intelligent Saint Teresa of Avila, combined with the selfless compassion of the more recent Mother Teresa, have fused to give this second-tier classic a somewhat noble, religious image. Although the origins of the name are uncertain, it has been prevalent particularly in forms Theresa, Teresa, and Therese throughout Europe for centuries.
- Inez
Origin:
Spanish variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
Also spelled Ines, this name of the prudish mother of Don Juan in the Byron poem has a touch of mystery, but has also been fully integrated into the American name pool.
- Teresa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"to harvest"Description:
How do you spell Teresa? Teresa, the simpler phonetic form of this name, was the most popular variation for its early life, when it was used exclusively in Spain and Portugal. Other spellings of Teresa include Theresa, the usual English form, and the French Therese.
- Rosa
Origin:
Latinate variation of RoseMeaning:
"rose, a flower"Description:
As sweet-smelling as Rose but with an international flavour, Rosa is one of the most classic Portuguese, Spanish and Italian names, which is also favored by upper-class Brits, having an ample measure of vintage charm. Rosa has been on the popularity charts for every year that's been counted, especially popular from the 1880s through the beginning of the twentieth century.
- Leandro
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian variation of LeanderDescription:
Leandro is the Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish variant of the English name Leander. A blend of two Latin words (Leo "lion" and Andro "man"), Leandro is a name that suggests its bearer has strength and power. Despite this very masculine meaning, Leandro also has a long romantic history, beginning with the myth of Hero and Leander (Ero et Leandro in Latin) to being an important figure in the history of the beautiful Spanish city of Seville.
- Adelina
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Slavic variation of AdelineMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adelina is back in the Top 1000 after an absence of nearly a century, thanks to the meteoric rise of her sister name Adeline -- along with Adelaide, Adele, and Ada. Some parents choose Adelina because they want to get to cute vintage nickname Addie, but others favor it as a slightly more unusual form of this sweet vintage girls' name. A lot of attention was focused on it recently via the women's figure skating gold medal winner at the Sochi winter olympics--Adelina Sotnikova.While Adeline is usually pronounced in the U.S. with a long i in the last syllable, to rhyme with mine, Adelina is pronounced with the long e sound at the end, as in 'lee-na'.
- Francisco
Origin:
Spanish, PortugueseMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Francisco is one of the more popular Spanish names for boys in the US, which is unsurprising given its popularity back in Spain and Portugal as well as Latin America, coupled with its classic status. It also has a cool hipster vibe to it, given the reputation of the city of San Francisco.
- Rio
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"place of the cherry blossoms"Description:
Rio is one of Japan's most popular girls names, constantly sitting in that country's Top 10. Of course, Rio may also stem from the Portuguese and Spanish word for river, and the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro. A truly international name for a cosmopolitan baby!
- Tiago
Origin:
Portuguese diminutive of Santiago, LatinMeaning:
"Saint James"Description:
Tiago, also spelled Thiago, is a popular Portuguese boys' name derived from the more formal Santiago but these days usually used on its own. English speakers won't intuitively get the pronunciation but this might be a creative way to honor an ancestral James or Diego.
- Rui
Origin:
Portuguese diminutive of RodrigoMeaning:
"famous ruler"Description:
This charming mini name began life as a nickname for Rodrigo but has since taken on a life of its own, ranking as an independent name in Portugal, it’s country of origin. If you’re looking to honor a Rodrigo, Roger, or Roderick in your life, Rui is an appealing international option. Ruy is a spelling variation that is more commonly seen in Spain.
- Linda
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese and Italian word name meaning "pretty"Meaning:
"pretty"Description:
Linda will live forever in baby name history for toppling Mary from its four hundred year reign as Number 1. Queen of Names in 1947, Linda has fallen even further in favor than Mary today.
- Tomas
Origin:
German and Portuguese version of ThomasMeaning:
"twin"Description:
The pronunciation may be slightly different—toe-MAHS—though some parents use this as a phonetic spelling of Thomas.
- Ana
Origin:
Spanish variation of HannahMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Pared-down form loses none of the name's grace or power. Ana is one of the most popular Spanish names for girls in the US.
- Jose
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of JosephMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
Jose is as widespread in the Hispanic community as Joseph and Joe are elsewhere in the U.S., though its numbers here are starting to decrease somewhat. Jose is one of those Spanish baby names that has never crossed over into the Anglo naming culture.
- Beatriz
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of BeatriceMeaning:
"she who brings happiness; blessed"Description:
Attractive translation of Beatrice, popular with Hispanic parents. Beatriz is currently a Top 10 girl name in Portugal.