Portuguese names for men and women

Portuguese names arose in the distant past and are mixed with the traditions of Spain. Names can consist of several variants and surnames at the same time. And they are selected only from the list approved by the government. In this list only the names of the Catholic saints and those who have passed the spellcheck. In Portugal there is a separate list of banned, and it replenishes annually. The rules for constructing names are also interesting. If the Portuguese had only one last name, this would cause great bewilderment.

Composition of the Portuguese name

Portuguese names consist of a personal and two surnames - mother and father (Maria Gomes Silva). And the mother always goes first (although not prohibited from the contrary). But in the life of a person they are often called only on the paternal (last) surname. In our case, Silva. Either the name is added to it (Maria).

How to choose a personal name

As in all Hispanic countries, in Portugal a personal name is chosen from the list of relatives. Usually grandparents. In addition to the name that the parents gave, the child receives the second at baptism. He can give a priest or godparents. Only one name is used afterwards. More often - given by parents. Nevertheless, the Portuguese can have even five personal names.

Surnames

Portuguese surnames usually contain at once two - fatherly and maternal. But there are often options when there are more. Usually it is practiced by the Basques and the nobility. Some may even have four surnames in their own. If desired, they are separated by the preposition "and". But in modern times it began to be considered old-fashioned. Therefore, the division with the pretext is mainly based on the Portuguese of noble origin. Between the surnames they sometimes put a particle "de". Or combine it with the article "los", "la" or "las". The second name can be taken from the name of the place of birth or residence.

Female names

Portuguese women's names were carefully selected. In their basis, according to tradition, only names from the Catholic calendar (saints) or traditional ones that are not on the forbidden list are taken. Many Portuguese babies are called by parents with names that have ancient Brazilian, Greek, Provencal, Jewish or German roots. A large number does not come from the saints, but from their epithets. For example, Maria Dolores (Mourner) or Remedios (Healing).

For many centuries, they have changed a lot, but their beauty and melody are not lost. Girls in Portugal are given two names. After them go the names. It's interesting that they sound like names. To complete the completion, one or two of the husband's surnames (if the woman is married) is added.

Since the main source of personal names is the Bible, many people have Semitic roots (Aramaic and Jewish). The most popular Portuguese names are:

• Ana.
• Maria (often before this name is put one more - Jose).
• Martha.
• Magdalena.
• Isabel.
• Eva.

The most common names that have Greek roots:

• Catalina.
• Elena.
• Barbara.
• Veronica.
• Paula.

The most common names, having a German origin:

• Erika.
• Caroline.
• Frieda.
• Matilda.
• Luis.

Men's names

Portuguese names for men Are chosen on the principle of women. Since the Portuguese are very religious, the names of saints from the Catholic calendar are preferred. And those that passed government censorship and spelling. For example, the King of Spain has five personal names, but in life he uses one - Juan Carlos.

Boys traditionally receive a double name, to which the names of the father and mother are added. The father is placed in front of the mother. Multistage names in Portugal - the norm, but it is not always possible to understand how they were educated. Sometimes a diminutive form is used - variants of both names are "compressed" into one.

The most common names that have Semitic roots:

• Miguel.
• Daniel.
• Jose.
• Juan.
• Adan.
• David.
• Thomas.
• Jaime.
• Elias.

The most common Portuguese names (male), having Greek roots:

• Pedro.
• Jorge.
• Alejandro.
• Nicholas.
• Hector.
• Pablo.
• Sergio.
• Andres.

The most common names, having a German origin:

• Alberto.
• Alfonso.
• Carlos.
• Gonzalo.
• Roberto.
• Louis.
• Rodrigo.
• Fernando.
• Federico.
• Enrique.
• Ernesto and some others.

Common Portuguese names

The list of Portuguese names is very large. It is published on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the country. All organizations that register a newborn are required to follow this list. There is also a separate graph in it - forbidden names.

The most popular name in Portugal is Maria. Its greatest distribution is motivated by euphonism and religiosity. And most often this name is connected with the male José or other female (Magdalena, Antonia, Carolina, etc.). Subway metamorphosis occurs with the personal name "Anu". Already after them follow the Portuguese names of Matilda, Beatrice, Ana and some others.

Among the male names, the most common name is Juan ("Ivan" in Russian translation). Then follow Rodrigo, Martin, Thomas and some others. The procedure for converting one name into a double or triple is similar to the female version. Only a woman's name always goes second. Such options in Portugal are also not uncommon. This custom is considered quite fashionable among the upper classes and nobles.

How do Portuguese names change after marriage?

Female names and surnames do not change at the time of marriage. When the Portuguese marries, there is no change of name. She simply additionally joins one more - the spouse. Occasionally - two of his surnames. Children born in this marriage receive one mother and father, or all four parents.

Interesting facts about Portuguese names

The restriction on how to call a newborn in Portugal extends only to the indigenous inhabitants of the country. If one of the parents is an immigrant, then the child can be given any name that is not on the special list.

Despite the fact that Portuguese names can consist of several names or a variety of combinations with the addition of suffixes, consoles, etc., in everyday life only one of their names is used. But in official documents only the full one should be used, even if it consists of four parental names, or other numerous combinations.

But there are some exceptions. For example, in telephone directories, long Portuguese surnames are rarely written. Usually only the latter is used. And the previous affixes are skipped. In Portugal there are also nicknames. When they are formed before the last vowel is put a small suffix inh. And, for example, Teresa (with a suffix - Teresinha (Teresinka)) turns into a "little Theresa".

Sometimes, vice versa, magnifying suffixes are used. And the name becomes more "weighty", "heavy". Sometimes abbreviations are used. But in its majority, Portuguese names are converted into diminutives.