Portuguese Names for Boys

  1. Rodrigo
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese variation of Roderick
    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"
    • Description:

      Rhythmically appealing international spin on the stiff original.
  2. Ramiro
    • Origin:

      Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "great judge"
    • Description:

      Familiar as a Latin surname but has potential as a first.
  3. Joaquim
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Joachim, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "established by God"
    • Description:

      A softer take on Joaquin or a quirkier version of Joachim, depending on how you look at it.
  4. Jaco
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of Jacob
    • Description:

      Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.
  5. Roberto
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Robert
    • Description:

      Standard Latin classic.
  6. Marcos
    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish variation of Mark
    • Description:

      Another culture's slant on Mark, sometimes associated with former president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos and his shoe-collecting wife, Imelda.
  7. Cisco
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Spanish Francisco
    • Meaning:

      "Frenchman or free man"
    • Description:

      Shortening Francisco somehow makes it sound even cooler. Cisco is also the name of a digital security company.
  8. Macario
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "blessed"
    • Description:

      Macario is used in the modern US, the Spanish form of the ancient Greek Makarios or Latinized Macarius, the name of several early saints. Accessible and worldly, Macario can lead to the friendly nickname Mac.
  9. Rolando
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Roland
    • Description:

      Rolando, along with brother name Orlando, are among the most attractive and appealing of Latinate names. It has been in the US Top 1000 every year since 1946.
  10. Ramón
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Raymond
    • Description:

      Dashing Latin classic, familiar and functional here.
  11. Matteus
    • Ronaldo
      • Anselmo
        • Origin:

          Italian from German
        • Meaning:

          "with divine protection"
        • Description:

          Lighter Latin version of Anselm.
      • Hipolito
        • Paulo
          • Origin:

            Portuguese, Swedish, and Hawaiian variation of Paul
          • Description:

            Paulo suffers in comparison to the richer and more authentic-sounding Paolo.
        • Fredo
          • Braz
            • Origin:

              Portuguese, variation of French Blaise, meaning uncertain
            • Description:

              An interesting single-syllable name pronounced brahsh.
          • Mateus
            • Origin:

              Portuguese variation of Matthew, Hebrew
            • Meaning:

              "gift of God"
            • Description:

              Portuguese variation of Matthew.
          • Tonio
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Antonio
            • Description:

              This short form of Antonio has long been used as an independent name, and would make a strong international choice.
          • Dinis