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.
- 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.
- Leandro
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian variation of LeanderMeaning:
"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.
- Lando
Origin:
Portuguese and Spanish diminutive of Orlando, RolandoDescription:
Lively nickname, but we'd prefer the more substantial Orlando.
- Silvio
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of SilviusMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
Shiny and sylvan choice.
- 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.
- Andre
Origin:
French and Portuguese variation of AndrewMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ernesto
Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of ErnestDescription:
A Latin classic, widely used here and abroad, though in the U.S. it has fallen on the charts in recent years.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prospero
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of ProsperMeaning:
"succeed, prosper"Description:
Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.