39 Brazilian names that highlight the country's rich history and culture

Brazil is a multidimensional nation with an incredible diversity of cultures, regions, and peoples – and its most popular baby names reflect that. Many parents find name inspiration in the thriving Indigenous communities, including the Tupi and Karajá, while others look to saints and biblical figures important in Catholicism.

But more globalized names have taken Brazil by storm in recent years too – some of the most popular baby names in Brazil are also popular in the United States and other parts of the world.

With the help of BabyCenter Brazil, we found names that highlight this diverse nation's rich culture.

The most popular names in Brazil in 2024

Just like BabyCenter U.S., BabyCenter Brazil releases a ranking of the most popular names for girls and boys in the country every year. With names of Latin, Greek, German, Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Celtic origins, these rankings reveal what's trending among Brazilian families.

The top 5 girl names in Brazil

1. Helena comes from a Greek name thought to be rooted in a word meaning "sunbeam" or "ray." It's been the No. 1 girl name on BabyCenter Brazil since 2018 – and in Brazil, it's famous for being the name of a protagonist of Em Familía (known as Helena's Shadow in English), a popular Brazilian telenovela.
2. Cecília is based on an ancient Roman name that comes from a Latin word meaning "blind." It's also the name of the Catholic patron saint of music.
3. Maitê is a popular Latin American name with a couple of potential origins. It could come from the Basque word for "love"; or it could be a smoosh name combining María and Teresa or Ester. In Brazil, it's popular thanks to famous actress and author Maitê Proença.
4. Laura comes from a Late Latin name that means "laurel," a plant associated with glory and victory in ancient Rome.
5. Alice is originally rooted in the Germanic name Adelaide, which means "noble."

The top 5 boy names in Brazil

1. Miguel is the Portuguese and Spanish form of Michael, and comes from a Hebrew phrase meaning "Who is like God?" It's been the top-ranking boy name in Brazil for more than a decade.
2. Ravi means "sun" in Sanskrit and is the name of the Hindu god of the sun.
3. Théo is short for Teodoro, the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese version of Theodore. The name has Greek origins and means "gift from God."
4. Gael most likely comes from a word referring to a Celtic person who speaks Gaelic.
5. Noah is thought to come from a Hebrew word meaning "comfort" or "rest" – and it's currently the No. 1 boy name in the U.S.

13 Brazilian girl names

Ágata

Ágata, also spelled Agatha in English, comes from a Greek name that means "good" or "honorable." In Catholicism, Agatha is the patron saint of rape victims, breast cancer patients, and wet nurses, among others.

Ana

Ana, also spelled Anna, comes from a Hebrew name meaning "God has favored me." In Brazil, it's commonly used in double names, like Ana Júlia, Ana Luiza, and Ana Carolina. In Catholic tradition, Saint Anne is the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus.

Bárbara

Bárbara comes from a Greek word that means "foreigner" or "stranger" – the same root as the word barbarian. Saint Barbara, the patron saint of people who work in dangerous professions, is one of the more popular Catholic saints, though it's uncertain whether she actually existed.

Cássia

Cássia or Cassia has two potential meanings – rooted in Latin, it's thought to come from a word meaning "empty" or "hollow"; in Hebrew, it's the name of a type of shrub whose leaves are used in herbal medicine. Saint Kassia is best known as a Byzantine composer, hymn-writer, and poet.

Catarina

Catarina is the Portuguese form of Katherine, a Greek-rooted name that means "chaste" or "pure." Saint Catherine of Alexandria is the patron saint of unmarried girls, among others.

Clara

Clara is rooted in the Latin word clarus, which means "bright," "clear," and "famous." Saint Clare was an early follower of Francis of Assisi.

Iara

Iara, also spelled Yara, means "lady of the water" in Tupi. In Brazilian folklore, it's the name of a freshwater mermaid who hypnotizes men.

Isabel

Isabel, also spelled Izebel in Portuguese, shares the same Hebrew roots as the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath." This name could honor a couple of Catholic saints: Elizabeth of Portugal, queen of Portugal from 1282 to 1325, or Isabelle of France, a princess and patron saint of the sick.

Jussara

Jussara comes from a Tupi word that means "sting" or "itch," and is the name of a palm tree whose needles were used in weaving, but whose dust made the skin itch.

Maiara

Maiara combines the Tupi words maya, meaning "mother," and aryia, meaning "grandmother" – giving it the meaning "great-grandmother."

Maíra

Maíra or Maira comes from a Tupi word that means "leaving," and often refers to foreigners.

Maria

Maria is the Latin form of Mary, the name of Jesus' mother in the Bible. It's originally rooted in the Hebrew name Mariam, a name so ancient its meaning has been lost to time – though some speculate it has roots in an Egyptian word meaning "beloved."

Like Ana, Maria is commonly used in double names like Maria Luiza, Maria Fernanda, and Maria Eduarda.

Tainá

Tainá means "star" or "morning star" in Tupi.

16 Brazilian boy names

Bento

Bento is a nickname for Benedito, the Portuguese version of Benedict. It's rooted in a Latin word meaning "blessed." Saint Benedict is a major figure in Catholicism, and is best known for writing a set of instructions for monks that became influential in Christianity at large.

Caíque

Caíque or Caique is commonly said to come from a Tupi word meaning "waterbird," though it's more likely a smoosh name combining Carlos and Henrique.

Cauã

Cauã, also spelled Kauã, means "hawk" or "falcon" in Tupi.

Cauê

Cauê or Kauê is thought to mean "kind man" or "smart" in Tupi; it's also a greeting in the language. Its popularity is in part because it was the name chosen by popular vote for the mascot of the 2007 Pan American Games, hosted in Rio de Janeiro.

Estêvão

Estêvão is the Portuguese form of Stephen and comes from a Greek word meaning "crown" or "garland." Saint Stephen is traditionally recognized as the first Christian martyr.

Felipe

Felipe or Filipe is the Portuguese version of Philip, which has origins in a Greek name meaning "lover of horses." There are a couple of Saint Philips: Philip the Apostle, one of Jesus' 12 disciples; and Philip of Jesus, a missionary who was martyred in Japan.

Francisco

Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the Late Latin name Franciscus (Francis in English), meaning "from France." It's often abbreviated to Chico in Brazil. Saint Francis of Assisi is a venerated figure in Christianity, best known for his vow of poverty in service to Christ.

João

João is the Portuguese version of the English name John. It's originally rooted in a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious." In Brazil, it's commonly found in double names, like João Lucas, João Henrique, and João Pedro.

Jurandir

Jurandir is a rare name that means "sweet talker," combining the Tupi words jura, meaning "mouth," and ndiera, meaning "honey bee." It was created by José de Alencar, who is regarded as one of the most influential Brazilian novelists.

Lucas

Lucas comes from the Greek name Loukas, meaning "man from Lucania." The name of this region in southern Italy is thought to have been inspired by a word meaning "shining" or "bright" – so many poetically translate Lucas to mean "shining man."

Moacir

Moacir is another Tupi-inspired name made popular by José de Alencar – it's the name of a character in his 1865 novel Iracema. Thought to mean "out of pain" or "one who hurts," it comes from the Tupi words mbo'a'su, meaning "pain," and ira, meaning "from" or "out of."

Paulo

Paulo is the Portuguese version of the English name Paul, which is rooted in a Roman family name meaning "small." Saint Paul was an early follower of Jesus Christ and is venerated as a cofounder of the Christian church.

Pedro

Pedro is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the English name Peter, which comes from a Greek word meaning "stone." Saint Peter, one of Jesus' 12 disciples, is also venerated as a cofounder of the Christian church.

Tadeu

Tadeu is the Portuguese version of Thaddeus. The name's origins aren't certain, but it's thought to be a variant of Theodore, meaning "gift of God." Thaddeus was one of the nicknames of Jude the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples and the patron saint of lost causes.

Valentim

Valentim is the Portuguese version of Valentine, which has origins in a Latin word meaning "strong" and "healthy." Saint Valentine is famous, of course, as the romantic figure behind Valentine's Day.

Vicente

Vicente is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Vincent, a Latin-rooted name meaning "conquering."