220 Portuguese Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Poetic choices that exhibit the togetherness of Portugal tradition and sophistication.

Written by Nida Shaikh, BSc, PG Dip. Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 2 years

Nida holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Genetics and Medical Laboratory Techniques from Goa University. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a laboratory ... more

Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing ar... more

Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been ... more

• Aug 21, 2023

portuguese-baby-girl-names-with-meanings

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Portugal has a rich historical and cultural heritage, and Portuguese girl names beautifully highlight its diverse influences. Generally, Portuguese names are used in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking regions. However, Portugal's maritime history and global exploration have made them popular globally. In Portuguese naming traditions, most people have one or two first names and two or more surnames. Generally, one surname is inherited from the mother's paternal surname, and the second from the father's paternal surname. However, married women sometimes take up to two additional surnames from the husband's family and thus may have surnames as long as six names. In some cases, married women may even drop the maternal surnames and replace them with the husband's family name. These surnames may also include prepositions, including da, das, do, dos, and de, written in lowercase (1). In addition, family names added to the surname may end in 'es' or be joined by the conjunction 'e.' Many Portuguese baby girl names are derived from the names of saints and the events in their life. Traditional feminine names are often nature-inspired and may have diverse origins and significant religious and cultural associations. Some examples include Dores and Maria, inspired by the Virgin Mary, which in common practice may even be used as middle names for both girls and boys. In addition, names like Bruna, Eugenia, and Leticia also draw inspiration from physical features, social status, and virtuous qualities that parents wish their babies to possess. In recent times, however, Portugal has experienced an increasing trend of parents choosing more international or modern-sounding names for their daughters. They have also embraced pop culture references, celebrity names, shortened versions of traditional names, and gender-neutral names to embrace modernity. If you wish to use similar names for your child while still clinging to the traditional roots of Portuguese culture, our list may be helpful. Take a look, and choose what suits your little princess best.

‹

›

Name	Gender	Meaning
Sonia	Girl	Wisdom
Soraia	Unisex	Princess of the sky
Susana	Unisex	Graceful lily; Lotus
Suzana	Girl	Lily
Tavaris	Unisex	Of misfortune; A hermit
Telma	Girl	She who has will
Teresa	Girl	Harvester
Tereza	Girl	To harvest
Theresa	Unisex	To harvest
Tina	Girl	A Christian girl; She who follows Christ

Tristessa	Girl	A hope or the hope to free from sadness
Uiara	Girl	The water lady
Vera	Girl	Faith
Veronica	Girl	She who brings victory; True image
Vianna	Unisex	Alive; Life
Vieira	Unisex	Scallop
Vierra	Unisex	Faith
Vitalina	Girl	Vibrant and full of life
Wanderlei	Unisex	To wander; To roam
Zebra	Unisex	A type of wild horse native to Africa

« 1 2 3

Portuguese girl names have a captivating history shaped by cultural and regional variations. These unique naming practices within the country add significant depth to the meaningful traditional customs such as family names and hereditary connections. The above-given names retain a deep appreciation for the country's historical and cultural roots. Besides, they offer so many options to choose from to parents across different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. So explore the list and find meaningful names that embody Portugal's naming customs and traditions.

Infographic: Amazing Portuguese Names For Baby Girls

Portuguese names represent the diverse culture of the country. They have many variations, ranging from Brazilian to traditional Portuguese. So there's much room for experimentation. Getting to know them is a delight, as you will find a variety of melodic names. Check out this infographic for a list of the best ones to name your daughter.

unique portuguese names for baby girls (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I choose a Portuguese name for my baby girl if I'm not Portuguese?

There are no known legal formalities that forbid parents from using a Portuguese name for their children if they do not belong to Portuguese countries. If you like the name’s meaning, history, and melodic allure, you can go ahead and choose a beautiful Portuguese name for your little girl.

2. What are some naming traditions or customs in Portuguese culture?

Portuguese individuals often possess two personal names, although the first can stand independently. For instance, Augusto João can be commonly referred to as Augusto. In the past, it was customary for godparents to bestow names upon newborns, yet nowadays, parents typically take on this responsibility. It is prevalent to bestow names upon children in honor of esteemed ancestors, including great-grandparents, or in reverence to Catholic saints. In Portugal, the rising trend is to grant a child four surnames, incorporating each grandparent's surname. Furthermore, personal names adhere to a standardized spelling, which is the norm.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Portugal Personal Names.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Portugal_Personal_Names

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.