Portuguese Names

More familiarly spelled as Katia, this C spelling offers a gentler looking option that may be more intuitive if the given name is spelled as Caterina. Sometimes written as Cátia in Portuguese, this name is a familiar choice in Brazil. 

Catia

Lovely, international, tea-scented possibility undiscovered by baby names.
 
Ceylon may ultimately be derived from the Sanskrit siṃhala, meaning "island of lions" or "abundance of lions."

Ceylon

Bold and powerful with a touch of clunkiness about it too, Clodomira is a feminine form of Clodomiro, itself derived from the ancient Germanic name, Chlodomer. Used occasionally in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, and even more rarely in Italy, it has been notably borne by the Cuban revolutionary, Clodomira Acosta Ferrales.
 
Also appearing on the map as a place name in Argentina, it could make a distinctive route to nicknames Mira, Miri, Dodie, Coco, and Cloe.

Clodomira

A rare option with a bold meaning, Clodomiro may appeal to fans of Casimiro, Cosimo, and Cornelio. Derived from the old Germanic name, Chlodomer, it means "loud and famous", with notable bearers including lawyer and politician Clodomiro Almeyda, scientist Clodomiro Picardo Twight, and cyclist Clodomiro Cortoni.

Clodomiro

A romantic rarity, derived from the Old German name Chlotichilda, meaning "famous in battle." Saint Clotilde was a Frankish queen, wife of Clovis I, who played a role in the spread of Christianity.

Clotilde

Unisex nickname that feels fresher than Chris.

Cris

A variation of Chryseis, this form was created by the 14th-century Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio in work Il Filostrato, in which she is the faithless lover of the Trojan Troilus. While some sources suggest the name emerged thanks to Boccaccio confusing Chryseis and Briseida (Briseis),it is likely that both Chaucer and Shakespeare were inspired by this form, when they wrote of Criseyde and Cressida respectively.
 
The name has seen some real-world usage among Spanish and Portuguese speaking communities, notably in Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. Meaning "gold", Criseida could even have the nicknames Crissie, Zadie, and Sadie.

Criseida

A name with an ancient pedigree which might prove confusing to the modern ear.

Damiane

This old name with the great meaning may still be a bit clunky for modern usage.

Ermelinda

An elaborate alternative to Evangeline, Evangelista is closely associated with the Four Evangelists (or gospels) in The New Testament, Mathew, Luke, Mark, and John, as such making a spiritual option. Derived from the Greek euangelos, it could be interpreted as meaning "preacher of gospel", though for a more secular option, you could read it as "sharer of good news".
 
While it may sound feminine to English speakers, it is in fact a unisex name, notably borne by 15th-century physicist and mathematician, Evangelista Torricelli, and more recently by Brazilian martial artist, Evangelista Santos.

Evangelista

While this name might lean feminine to English speakers, it is in fact a unisex name notably borne by 15th-century physicist and mathematician, Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the barometer. Derived from the from the Greek euangelos, may be interpreted as meaning "preacher of gospel", though for a more secular option, you could read it as "sharer of good news". It is closely associated with the Four Evangelists in The New Testament, Mathew, Luke, Mark, and John, which could help it appeal to Evangelicals.

Floral and fanciful but solid and elegant too, Floriano is a variation of international feeling Florian. Ultimately from the Latin Florus, meaning "flower", it has been notably borne by Brazilian president Floriano Peixoto and footballer Floriano Vanzo. 

Floriano

A floral boy name without any frills, Floro is a rare variation of Florus, less familiar that Florian or the similar Florence, but potentially appealing to those looking for rare boy names ending in -o. The name is sometimes used in the Philippines, Columbia, and Peru, and more quietly still in Brazil, Mexico, and Italy. 
 
Ultimately derived from Latin, the name is pronounced FLAW-ro in Italian and FLO-ro in Spanish, and has been notably born by illustrator Floro Dery. The name shouldn't be confused with the Norwegian place name, Florø, which has a different origin (for Old Norse, meaning "flat ground" or "flood").

Floro

A name that balances elegance and clunkiness, Gracinda is a Portuguese elaboration of Graça,  itself a cognate of English virtue name, Grace. Familiar in Brazil in the 1930s and 40s, notable bearers include actresses Gracinda Freire and Gracinda Nave. 

Gracinda

Popular in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, and in some French regions, José is a variation of the Biblical Joseph. Also written as Jose (which ranks more highly in the charts internationally), this accented form is preferred in France, Portugal, and Uruguay.
 
The pronunciation of the name varies depending on language and location, so you may hear kho-SEH in Spanish, zhoo-ZEH in European Portuguese, ho-ZAY in English, zho-ZEH in Brazilian Portuguese, ZHO-ZEH in French, and ho-SEH in Filipino.

José

A smooshed form of  José Maria, a compound name given in honor of Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus.  This variation is familiar in Brazil and is notably borne by footballer Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha.

Josimar

An powerful feeling name with flair and familiarity, Leontina is notably used Brazil, Czechia, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Chile, and Angola. Derived from the Latin Leontius, it means "lion", making it a relation to Leonie and Leona, Leontine and Leola. 
 
Notable bearers include opera singer Leontina Văduva and singer Leontina Vukomanović.

Leontina

A popular and stylish choice in The Netherlands where it ranked in the Top 100 in a recent year, Linde has a sleek look and a pretty meaning. Pronounced just like Linda, it may feel dated in the US where it peaked it the late 1940s and 50s. 

Linde

Predominantly used as a masculine name in Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK, Luan is occasionally given to girls too. As such, it may be seen as a variation of Lua, meaning "moon" in Portuguese, a contracted form of Luann/e (meaning "light and grace" or "battle maiden's grace"), a leonine Albanian name, or an alternative to French and Breton Elouan (or Louan) meaning "light".


Luan

An elaborate and sunny form of the Lucy, Lucia, and Lucille family, this spelling is used among Portuguese speakers. Adapted from the Ancient Roman Lucilius and Lucius, it ultimately has its roots in the Latin lux meaning "light". 
 
Notable bearers include singer Lucília do Carmo, actress Lucília Simões, and and content creator Lucília Paulino.

Lucília

Portuguese names are found mainly in Portugal and Brazil, with many names popular in those Portuguese-speaking countries similar to Spanish names. 

 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 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.

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. (Page 6)