Origin of the Portuguese Names

Lisbon, Portugal



Traditional Male Names 


1 - Afonso - Has origin in the germanic name Adalfuns. "Adai" means noble and "funs" means able - "Able to be noble". It was the name of 6 Kings of Portugal


2 - Carlos - Has origin in the germanic name "Karl" that means "full-grown - a man". Was the name of the penultimate portuguese king, that was  victim of regicide, in 1908.


3 - Dinis - It comes from the ancient greek "Dionysius" that was the greek God of wine and revelry. Was the name of sixth king of Portugal, born in 1261.


4 - Duarte - Derived from the english "Eadweard", means "wealthy or fortunate (Ead)" or "guardian (weard)". Was the name of  the 11st king of Portugal, known as "The Eloquent".


5 - Fernando - Has germanic origins "Ferdinand" that means "bold journey". Was the name of the 9th portuguese king known as "The Handsome".


6 - Filipe - Derived from the latin "Philippus", it means "lover of horses". Was the name of 3 spanish kings that ruled Portugal for 60 years.


7 - Henrique - Comes from the germanic "Heimrich" that means "Home ruler". Was the name of the 17th portuguese king that ruled from 1557 to 1580.


8 - João - Comes from the hebrew "Yochanan" that means "God is gracious". Was the name of 6 portuguese kings.


9 - José - Comes from the hebrew "Yosef" that means "may he add, God shall add". Was the name of the 25th portuguese king that ruled from 1750 to 1777.


10 - Luis - Derived from the germanic "Hluodwig", means "famous in war". Was the name of the 32nd portuguese king, known as "The Popular".


11 - Manuel - Comes from the hebrew "Immanuel" that means "God with us". Was the name of the 14th portuguese king, which reign, initiated the Discovery Era. Also, the name of the last king of Portugal, that exiled in 1910.


12 - Miguel - Has hebrew origins in the name "Mikhael" that means "Who is like God?". It's the name of one of God's archangels and it was the name of the 29th portuguese king, known as "The Traditionalist".


13 - Pedro - It come from the ancient greek "Petros" that means "rock". It is the name of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and was the name of 3 kings of Portugal.


14 - Sancho - Has latin origins and means "Holy". It was the name of 2 portuguese kings.


15 - Sebastião - It has latin origins and means "revered". Was the name of the 16th portuguese king, known as "The Desired".



Traditional Female Names


1 - Ana - Derives from the hebrew "Channah" that means "favour grace". Was the name of the 18th queen of Portugal (austrian origins).


2 - Amélia - It has latin origin and it's a blend of "Emilia" and "Amália". It means "defender" and was the name of 2 queens of Portugal (french origins).


3 - Adelaide - It derives from the germanic "Adalheidis" that means "noble kind". Was the name of the 29th queen of Portugal (german origins).


4 - Beatriz - It comes from latin origins and it means the "bringer of joy". It was the name of 2 queens of Portugal (spanish origins).



5 - Constança - Derived from the latin " Constans", means " constant". Was the name of 6th queen of Portugal (spanish origins).



6 - Dulce - It has latin origins and means "sweet". Was the name of the 2nd queen of Portugal (spanish origins).


7 - Isabel - Comes from the hebrew "Elisheva", that means "my God is an oath". Was the name of 5 queens of Portugal (some with spanish origins).


8 - Joana - Derived from the greek "Ioanna", means "God is gracious". Was the name of the 12nd queen of Portugal (spanish origins).


9 - Leonor - It derived from "Eleanor". Its origin is unknown. Was the name of 4 queens of Portugal (one of austrian origins).


10 - Maria - Comes from the hebrew "Myriam". The meaning is uncertain. It is the name of the mother of Jesus and was the name of 8 queens of Portugal. Two were regents of the portuguese kingdom.


11 - Mafalda - Derived from the germanic name Matilde, that means "strength in battle". Was the name of the first portuguese queen.


12 - Matilde - Comes from the germanic name "Mahthildis", that means "strength in battle". Was the name of the 5th queen of Portugal (french origins).


13 - Margarida - Has greek origins and means "pearl". Was the name of the 19th queen of Portugal (austrian origins).


14 - Mariana - From latin origins it is a blend of Maria and Ana. It may be related with the roman God of war "Mars". Was the name of the 25th queen of Portugal (spanish origins).


15 - Teresa - Has greek origins "therizo" and means "harvester". Was the name of the mothers of 2 portuguese kings.