Names in Brazil are unique and often have a meaning related to their origin. Brazilian names have a huge diversity in the culture of Brazil and often have African, Portuguese, Spanish, Germanic, and indigenous origins. Surnames in Brazil were created to better identify the person based on the person's profession, place of birth, religion, parents' names, and so on.
Most Famous Brazilian Names
Many popular first names have roots in many different cultures.
Famous Portuguese Names
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| Italian Names
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French Names
| Latin Names
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Most Common Brazilian Surnames
Many popular names are widely used across the country and are shared by millions of people across the country—even if they have no direct descent links. Many surnames in Brazil are of Portuguese origin.
The most common surname in Brazil is Silva. Silva means "forest" in Latin, and so this name was given to people who were born near or lived in forests.
Another popular name is Machado. The name of Machado was given to those who created and made axes.
Some more common surnames include:
- Santos
- Oliveira
- Souza
- Rodrigues
- Ferreira
- Alves
- Pereira
- Lima
- Gomes
- Costa
- Ribeiro
- Carvalho
- Almeida
- Lopes
- Soares
- Barbosa
In such a diverse culture, family history in Brazil can be vast and complex. The most common surnames in Brazil connect people with those who share their Portuguese roots. You can find out what names were in your family and understand more about your family history.
Learn More about Your Brazilian Heritage
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