Brazil has a rich and diverse culture; one aspect of that culture is the Brazilian last names.
Brazilian surnames often have fascinating stories behind them. Some are related to an ancient nobility, which in its turn is related to cobblestones. Some deal with professions or even where a person used to live.
No matter the last name, their origins are intertwined with the country's history.
In this short yet informative article, we’ll see ten of the most common Brazilian surnames and their meanings and a brief history of how Brazilian last names are used.
Gomes da Silva, or Why Brazilians usually have two surnames
Brazilian surnames are typically used to identify a person’s family name.
In Brazil, it is common for individuals to have two surnames: the first surname is typically the father’s surname, and the second surname is typically the mother’s maiden name.
In my case, I’m Gomes de Sousa: my mother is Gomes, my father is Sousa.
Yet another example: if João Silva marries Maria Souza, their child may be named Pedro Silva Souza. This naming convention helps to maintain family ties and distinguish individuals with similar names. In some extremely rare cases, hyphens may be used between surnames to connect them together.
But we didn’t always use last names in Brazil, you know?
Before the 19th century, surnames were not common in Brazil.
People were often identified by their first name and their father's first name, followed by a description of their profession or place of origin. The Catholic Church usually kept this record. Up to this day, if you’re doing genealogical work in Brazil that dates back a few centuries, you’ll rely on the Church records to track and identify someone’s roots.
However, surnames became more widespread during the imperial period, and by the end of the 19th century (or, according to some, by the beginning of the 20th century), Brazilians began to use surnames more regularly.
And to this day, some Brazilian surnames carry a lot of gravitas to them: you know someone’s rich (or has humble origins) from their last name.
Some of the most common Brazilian last names and their (documented) origin
If you speak and read Portuguese, I highly suggest you read this special article in Portuguese about the 50 most popular surnames in Brazil.
1. Silva
Silva is the most common surname in Brazil. Its origin is from Portugal, and it means "forest" or "woodland." It was a known surname in the Roman Empire, but in Brazil it became more popular due to some factors, such as slaves who adopted the surname of their owners, and people who fled Portugal and had to adopt new identities in Brazil.
2. Santos
This name means "saints" in Portuguese (from the Latin sanctus) and was often given to people born on All Saints’ Day or those with a particular devotion to saints.
3. Oliveira
With over 2 million people bearing this name, Oliveira is one of the ten most common surnames in Brazil. Its meaning is "olive tree" in Portuguese, and it is an ancient name in Portugal. The Oliveira family was one of Brazil's wealthiest and most influential families during the colonial period.
4. Souza
It is a variation of the Portuguese name Sousa, which means "pebble." The name is often associated with the nobility, and many notable figures in Brazilian history have this surname (including me, haha, but I’m no nobility).
5. Lima
It is of Portuguese origin and means "lime," referring to the fruit tree. The name is often associated with the Lima river in Portugal.
6. Pereira
Pereira is of Portuguese origin and means "pear tree," referring to the fruit tree. The name is often associated with the nobility, and many notable figures in Brazilian history have this surname.
7. Carvalho
Carvalho is of Portuguese origin and means "oak tree." The name is often associated with the nobility, and many notable figures in Brazilian history have this surname.
8. Costa
Costa is of Portuguese origin and means "coast" or "shore." The name is often associated with people who were born or lived near the coast.
9. Araújo
Araujo is of Portuguese origin and means "from Araujo Castle," located in Galicia. The name is often associated with the nobility, and many notable figures in Brazilian history have this surname.
10. Ribeiro
Ribeiro is of Portuguese origin and means "riverbank." The name is often associated with people who were born or lived near a river.
But it's just the first step, colega
Brazilian last names are a fascinating reflection of the country's history and culture.
If you are interested in Brazilian culture, exploring Brazilian surnames is an excellent place to start. There are many resources available online that can help you learn more about Brazilian history and culture. Check out Brazilian genealogy websites, history books, and websites with hard data like IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) to learn more about our fascinating country.