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Portuguese Names for Boys

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Portuguese names for boys include distinctive forms of many names well-known throughout the Latinate world of both Europe and South America: Alexio, Jaco, Matteus. Often, the difference between a Portuguese and a Spanish or Italian boys' name is a single letter or spin of pronunciation. Popular names in Portugal for boys include Rodrigo, Francisco, and Martim. In Brazil, popular Portuguese boys' names include Joao, Guilherme, and Thiago.

Our full list of Portuguese baby boy names is below. 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.
  1. Hugo

    • Origin:

      Latinized form of Hugh

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Leandro

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian variation of Leander

    • Meaning:

      "lion-man"

    • Description:

      Leandro is a variation of the Ancient Greek name Leander, created by combining the Latin words leo and Andro together, to get a meaning that suggests strength, power, and bravery. The Hero and Leander myth lends the name a romantic, poetical feel, while it's association to Bishop Leander of Seville gives it a more saintly quality.
  3. Thiago

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Tiago, diminutive of Santiago

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Francisco

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  5. Tiago

    • Origin:

      Portuguese diminutive of Santiago, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "Saint James"

    • Description:

      Tiago, also spelled Thiago, is a popular Portuguese boys' name. Derived from the more formal Santiago, these days it is often used on its own. Relaxed and charming while still maintaining the sophistication of its long form, Tiago is popular in its native Portugal, but also in France, Belgium, Brazil, and the UK.
  6. Lando

    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish diminutive of Orlando, Rolando

    • Description:

      Lively nickname, but we'd prefer the more substantial Orlando.
  7. Andre

    • Origin:

      French and Portuguese variation of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Andre is one of the international forms of Andrew that has been familiar in the English-speaking world for decades without any need to be overly Anglicized - though round the world, it is more likely to be written as André.
  8. Rui

    • Origin:

      Portuguese diminutive of Rodrigo

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Alonso

    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish variation of Adalfuns, German

    • Meaning:

      "noble and ready"

    • Description:

      Alonso is the Spanish and Portuguese diminutive version of Alfonso, itself deriving from an old Germanic name "Adalfuns" meaning "noble and ready." Although the Italian spelling Alonzo is more popular in the US, Alonso has its own strong history.
  10. Alfredo

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Alfred, English

    • Meaning:

      "wise counsellor; elf counsel"

    • Description:

      Alfredo, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese variation of Alfred, is most familiar as the romantic lead in Verdi's evergreen opera La Traviata. On a less romantic note, Alfredo is also the name of a pasta sauce.
  11. Jose

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese version of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Fernando

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese variation of Ferdinand

    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"

    • Description:

      Can you hear the drums Fernando? Although 58% of Nameberries prefer Ferdinand to Fernando, the Iberian variant has a softer, more romantic feel that makes it a better fit with all those Javiers, Lorenzos and Matteos.
  13. Jaco

    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Jacob

    • Description:

      Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.
  14. Armando

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Herman, German

    • Meaning:

      "soldier"

    • Description:

      Armando takes the flat-footed Herman and makes it romantic. This is another of the Latin names we expect to be seeing more of.
  15. Tomas

    • Origin:

      German; Norwegian; Swedish; Lithuanian, version of Thomas, Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      The most common form of Thomas in various European languages, although some Anglophone parents also use this as a phonetic spelling of the classic name. Tomas is usually pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable -- toe-MAHS -- though you might not succeed in getting other people to go along with that in the US, where your exotically named Tomas may quickly devolve into just plain Tom.
  16. Ernesto

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian variation of Ernest

    • Description:

      A Latin classic, widely used here and abroad, though in the U.S. it has fallen on the charts in recent years.
  17. Anselmo

    • Origin:

      Italian from German

    • Meaning:

      "with divine protection"

    • Description:

      Lighter Latin version of Anselm.
  18. Roberto

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Robert, English from German

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Standard Latin classic that brings some flair to the basic boy name Robert. Nearly 4000 baby boys are still named Robert in the US each year, many of them undoubtedly named for a father or grandfather, while about 550 are named Roberto.
  19. Prospero

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Prosper

    • Meaning:

      "succeed, prosper"

    • Description:

      Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.
  20. Rodrigo

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese variation of Roderick

    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"

    • Description:

      Rhythmically appealing international spin on the stiff original.