There was a TikTok viral video of an American student calling their teacher by their first names.
The teachers' displeased faces made it known that calling them by their first name was a no-no.
That's not how I discovered that in the US you don't call people by their first name if you don't know them. But that's how many Brazilians learn it.
And that fact not only surprises us; it baffles us.
Because in Brazil, first names are the rule.
My first name is Luis. My second name is Eli. Some people call me Luis. Most people call me Eli. And Eli has become a sort of first name for me.
If someone ever called me Mr. Sousa, though, I would be uneasy.
Because…
In Brazil, first names are the rule.
And, in this article, we will talk a little bit more about the most common Brazilian first names. And a few cultural points you should keep in mind whenever you talk to your Brazilian friends.
How do Brazilians choose first names?
Names are often chosen based on their meanings, cultural significance, and personal preferences.
Sometimes, parents choose a name that belonged to their grandma.
Sometimes they visit nomedobebe.com and pick one with the most fitting meaning (don’t visit it, I’m making this up, but it probably exists).
A name often comes from a celebrity of the moment – like the uncountable Neymars born in the last decade and the Ronaldos born in my time.
I guess that’s how people choose it in your country as well.
People choose what is popular or what is beautiful. But some names never fall from grace. And below you’ll find the list of…
The Top 10 Most Popular First Names in Brazil
The top 10 most popular first names in Brazil are as follows:
Most Common Brazilian Female First Names
- Maria
- Ana
- Francisca
- Antônia
- Adriana
- Juliana
- Márcia
- Fernanda
- Patrícia
- Aline
Most Common Brazilian Male First Names
- José
- João
- Antônio
- Francisco
- Carlos
- Paulo
- Pedro
- Lucas
- Luiz
- Marcos
These names have remained popular over the years due to their strong cultural and religious significance.
Maria and Ana are both derived from biblical names and are often chosen to honor the Virgin Mary or other female saints.
João, José, Antônio, Francisco, and Pedro are all traditional Portuguese names that have been passed down through generations.
Carlos, Paulo, and Lucas are more modern names that have gained popularity recently along with Enzo and Valentina (not on the list).
Tip for you writers:
If you’re using Writer’s Digest character naming book, please keep in mind that they took a snapshot of names common at the time of publication. Names become dated as well. Nowadays, a male baby named Agenor would be made fun of, as well as an old lady named Kelly would draw a lot of surprised gasps.
The Origins and Meanings of Brazilian First Names
Brazilian first names have diverse origins and meanings.
Many names have Portuguese roots, while others have indigenous or African origins. For example, the name Maria is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam and means "bitter" or "rebellious." Ana is also of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor."
João is the Portuguese form of John and means "God is gracious." José is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef and means "God will add."
Antônio is the Portuguese form of Anthony and means "priceless" or "invaluable." Francisco is the Portuguese form of Francis and means "Frenchman" or "free man."
Carlos is of Germanic origin and means "free man."
Paulo is the Portuguese form of Paul and means "small" or "humble."
Pedro is the Portuguese form of Peter and means "rock" or "stone."
Lucas is the Latin form of Luke and means "light" or "illumination."
The Influence of Portuguese and Indigenous Languages on Brazilian Naming
The Portuguese language has heavily influenced the naming traditions in Brazil.
That’s our language after all.
Many traditional Portuguese names, such as João, José, and Antônio, are still prevalent in Brazil today. However, indigenous languages have also played a significant role in Brazilian naming.
Many indigenous names have been incorporated into Brazilian culture, especially in regions with a strong indigenous presence. For example, the name Juraci is of Tupi-Guarani origin and means "mother’s mouth." Jaci is also of Tupi-Guarani origin and means "moon."
These names reflect the rich indigenous heritage of Brazil and are often chosen to honor indigenous ancestors or to connect with indigenous culture.
Common first names of indigenous origin
- Jacy: This name means "moon" in Tupi-Guarani, an indigenous language in Brazil.
- Potira: Potira means "flower", also in the Tupi-Guarani language.
- Moema: This is a Tupi name that means "sweetness".
- Ubirajara: Meaning "lord of spear" or "lord of lances".
- Araci: A name meaning "mother of the day" or simply "day".
- Cauê: This name means "big hawk" in the Tupi language.
- Iara: Known as the "lady of the waters", it's a popular name from a Brazilian indigenous mythology.
- Jaciara: Meaning "honeymoon", this name combines two elements from Tupi: 'îasy' (moon) and 'îara' (honey).
- Juraci: This name means "the one who shines" in Tupi.
- Yara: This is another version of Iara, and it has the same meaning.
Please note that these meanings may vary slightly depending on regional interpretations and translations.
The Role of Religion in Brazilian Naming Traditions
Religion plays a significant role in Brazilian naming traditions.
Many names have religious significance and are chosen to honor saints or biblical figures.
My own name, for example, was chosen with that in mind. Eliaquim is right there or versicle 13, chapter one, with a different spelling.
Maria is often chosen to honor the Virgin Mary, who is highly revered in Brazilian Catholicism. Ana is also a popular name among Catholics, as it is associated with Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Other names, such as João, José, and Francisco, are derived from biblical figures and are chosen to honor their religious significance. Additionally, names like Gabriel (one neighbor), Rafael (three friends of mine), and Miguel (my cousin) are popular choices for boys, as they are associated with archangels in Christian tradition.
Regional Variations in Brazilian First Names
First names in Brazil can vary significantly by region.
In the northern region of Brazil, indigenous names are more common than in other regions, reflecting the solid indigenous presence in the area.
In the northeast, names with African roots are more prevalent, as this region has a significant Afro-Brazilian population.
In the southeast and south, which have a more considerable European influence, traditional Portuguese names are more popular.
But those are general trends, not the rule!
Unisex Names in Brazil: A Growing Trend
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of using unisex names in Brazil. This trend reflects a shift towards gender equality and a rejection of traditional gender norms.
Unisex names allow individuals to express their individuality and challenge societal expectations.
Some popular unisex names in Brazil include Alex, Duda, and Cris. These names can be used for both boys and girls, allowing individuals to choose a name that resonates with their personal identity.
Naming Trends in Modern Brazil
In recent years, there have been several naming trends in Brazil.
One trend is the revival of traditional Portuguese names, such as João, José, and Antônio. These names are considered classic and timeless, and many parents choose them to honor their cultural heritage.
Another trend is the use of international names, mainly English names. Names like Sophia, Isabella, and Noah have gained popularity in Brazil (this last one, Noah, has a special place in Harlequin-type books written by the new wave of female writers in Brazil), reflecting the influence of global culture.
And this trend is well known by all Brazilians: mixing parents’ names to come up with their child’s name. Father is named Valdir, mother is Irene? Well, you get Valdirene. Some combinations sound good, but some are ssssso awful kids choose to adopt a pet name instead.
So, now you know everything about first names in Brazil
You see, first names in Brazil are used way more casually than in the US. I’m not sure about other English-speaking countries, though.
Some Brazilians choose their babies’ first names considering a mix of factors, many of which boil down to the name’s meaning.
Weird names are known to happen – I’ll talk about that in the future.
But whatever you do, use people’s first names more often. People love hearing their own name!