Portuguese names originated in the distant past and are mixed with the traditions of Spain. Names can consist of several variants and surnames at the same time. Moreover, they are selected only from a list approved by the government. This list contains only the names of Catholic saints and those that have passed spellchecking. In Portugal there is a separate list of banned, and it is updated annually. The rules for constructing names are also interesting. If the Portuguese would have only one last name, this would be very perplexing.
Portuguese name composition
Portuguese names consist of a personal and two surnames - a mother and a father (Maria Gomes Silva). Moreover, the mother always comes first (although it is not forbidden on the contrary). But in human life, most often they are called only by their paternal (last) surname. In our case, Silva. Or the name (Mary) is added in front of him.
How to choose a personal name
As in all Spanish-speaking countries, in Portugal, a personal name is selected from a list of relatives. Usually grandparents. In addition to the name given by the parents, the child receives a second at baptism. It can be given by a priest or godparents. Subsequently, only one name is used. More often - given by parents. However, the Portuguese may even have five personal names.
Surnames
Portuguese surnames usually contain two at once - paternal and maternal. But options are not uncommon when there are more. This is usually 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 has become considered old-fashioned. Therefore, the division with the pretext is used mainly by the Portuguese of noble origin. Between surnames sometimes put a particle "de". Or combine it with the article “los”, “la” or “las”. The second surname may be taken from the name of the place of birth or residence.
Female names
Portuguese women's names have been carefully selected. Traditionally, they are based only on names from the Catholic calendar (saints) or traditional ones that are not on the forbidden list. Parents call many Portuguese babies names that have ancient Brazilian, Greek, Provencal, Jewish or Germanic roots. A large number come not from the saints, but from their epithets. For example, Maria Dolores (Sorrowful) or Remedios (Healing).
Over the centuries, they have changed a lot, but they have not lost their beauty and melody. Girls in Portugal are given two names. After them come the names. Interestingly, in their sound they resemble names. For complete completion, one or a couple of surnames of the husband is added (if the woman is married).
Since the main source of personal names is the Bible, many have Semitic roots (Aramaic and Jewish). Most popular portuguese names:
- Ana.
- Maria (often another name is given to this name - Jose).
- Martha.
- Magdalena.
- Isabel.
- Eva.
The most common names having Greek roots:
- Catalina.
- Elena.
- Barbara.
- Veronica.
- Paula.
The most common names of German origin:
- Erika.
- Caroline.
- Frida.
- Matilda.
- Louis.
Male names
Portuguese names for men are selected according to the principle of women. Since the Portuguese are very religious, the names of the saints from the Catholic calendar are preferred. And those that have 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 surnames of the father and mother are added. Paternal is placed ahead of maternal. Multistage names in Portugal are the norm, but it is not always possible to understand how they were formed. Sometimes a diminutive form is used - variants of both names are “compressed” into one.
The most common names having Semitic roots:
- Miguel.
- Daniel
- Jose.
- Juan.
- Adan.
- David.
- Thomas.
- Jaime.
- Elias.
The most common Portuguese names (masculine) having Greek roots:
- Pedro.
- Jorge.
- Alejandro.
- Nicholas.
- Ector.
- Pablo.
- Sergio.
- Andres.
The most common names of 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 long. 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. It also has a separate column - forbidden names.
The most popular name in Portugal is Maria. Its greatest distribution is motivated by harmony and religiosity. Moreover, most often this name is connected with the male Jose or other female (Magdalena, Antonia, Carolina, etc.). Underground metamorphosis occurs with the personal name "Anu". Already after them follow the Portuguese names Matilda, Beatrice, Ana and some others.
Among male names, the most common name is Juan ("Ivan" in Russian translation). Then follow Rodrigo, Martin, Thomas and some others. The process of converting one name to double or triple occurs similarly to the female version. Only the female name always comes second. Such options in Portugal are also not uncommon. This custom is considered quite fashionable among the upper classes and nobility.
How Portuguese names change after marriage
Women's names and surnames do not change upon marriage. When a Portuguese woman marries, a change of surname does not occur. She simply additionally attaches another - the spouse. Occasionally - his two surnames. Children born in this marriage receive one surname of the mother and father, or all four of the parents.
Interesting facts about Portuguese names
The restriction on what can be called a newborn in Portugal applies only to the indigenous people of the country. If one of the parents is an immigrant, then the baby can be given any name that is not on a special list.
Despite the fact that Portuguese names can consist of several surnames or various combinations with the addition of suffixes, prefixes, etc., in everyday life only one of their names is used. But in official documents, only the full should be used, even if it consists of four parental names, or other numerous combinations.
But there are some exceptions. For example, long Portuguese names are rarely spelled in telephone directories. Usually only the latter is used. Moreover, the previous affixes are skipped. There are nicknames in Portugal. When they are formed, the last vowel is given the small suffix inh. And, for example, Teresa (with the suffix - Teresinha (Terezinka)) turns into a "little Teresa".
Sometimes vice versa, magnifying suffixes are used. And the name becomes more "weighty", "heavy." Abbreviations are sometimes used. But for the most part, Portuguese names are converted to diminutive.