Portuguese Names for Boys
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Leandro
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian variation of LeanderMeaning:
"lion-man"Description:
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lando
Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish diminutive of Orlando, RolandoDescription:
Lively nickname, but we'd prefer the more substantial Orlando.
- Andre
Origin:
French and Portuguese variation of AndrewMeaning:
"strong and manly"Description:
Andre is one international form that's been familiar in the English-speaking world for decades yet still has not been Anglicized.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Silvio
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of SilviusMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
Shiny and sylvan choice.
- Alonso
Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish variation of Adalfuns, GermanMeaning:
"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.
- Alfredo
Origin:
Spanish variation of Alfred, EnglishMeaning:
"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.
- Cisco
Origin:
Diminutive of Spanish FranciscoMeaning:
"Frenchman or free man"Description:
Shortening Francisco somehow makes it sound even cooler. Cisco is also the name of a digital security company.
- Armando
Origin:
Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Herman, GermanMeaning:
"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.
- Ricardo
Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish variation of RichardMeaning:
"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.
- Diogo
Origin:
Portuguese form of DiegoMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Diogo is the much-less-known brother of Diego, both forms of James, which is itself a form of the Biblical Jacob. And Diego itself probably started life as a short form of Santiago, aka Saint Jago, aka Saint James.
- Rodrigo
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of RoderickMeaning:
"famous ruler"Description:
Rhythmically appealing international spin on the stiff original.
- Jorge
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of GeorgeDescription:
The classic Jorge is one of the most popular and classic Spanish names for boys in the US. Some Latine families pronounce it the same way as George.
- Fernando
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese variation of FerdinandMeaning:
"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.