Brazilian Last Names: 31 Powerful Picks & Cultural Meanings

Brazilian last names tell where you came from, sometimes even who owned the land you walked on. Every da Silva, Souza, or Pereira carries echoes of identity passed down through generations. Brazilian naming traditions are shaped by a mix of Portuguese colonization, African ancestry, and immigrant waves. And those little prepositions like de, da, or do aren’t just decorative. They mean “of” or “from,” and they tether people to places, saints, and family lines.

Let’s break down 31 of the most powerful, culturally rich Brazilian last names and unpack the stories they carry.

31 Notable Brazilian Last Names and Their Meanings

Last Name	Meaning & Origin
Silva	Means “forest” in Latin. Most common surname in Brazil. Widespread among freed slaves.
Santos	“Saints.” Often given to orphans or children born near All Saints’ Day.
Oliveira	“Olive tree.” Tied to the land and ancient Portuguese estates.
Sousa/Souza	From the Sousa River in Portugal. One of the oldest noble names.
Pereira	“Pear tree.” Often linked to agricultural ancestry.
Rodrigues	“Son of Rodrigo.” A classic patronymic.
Lima	Possibly from the Lima River or the fruit. Often tied to northern Portugal.
Ferreira	“Iron mine” or “blacksmith.” Occupational and noble in origin.
Costa	“Coast” or “shore.” Geographic name for coastal settlers.
Gomes	“Man.” A shortened form of the Visigothic Guma.
Martins	“Son of Martin.” Another patronymic with Roman roots.
Ribeiro	“Stream” or “creek.” Often linked to rural, land-owning families.
Carvalho	“Oak tree.” Strong, rooted, symbolic of stability.
Alves	“Son of Álvaro.” Patronymic with noble leanings.
Fernandes	“Son of Fernando.” Very common in central Brazil.
Barbosa	“Bearded.” Originally a nickname turned surname.
Nascimento	“Birth.” Used for children born on Christmas or religious holidays.
Monteiro	“Of the mountain.” Geographical and noble.
Dias	“Days” or “servant.” Has biblical and religious roots.
Teixeira	“Yew tree grove.” A noble Galician surname.
Batista	“Baptist.” Religious, often tied to John the Baptist.
Cardoso	From cardo, meaning thistle. Topographic and regional.
Melo	“Honey.” Also refers to a region in Portugal.
Farias	Possibly from Arabic or a locative Portuguese root.
Machado	“Axe.” Could indicate a woodworker or warrior ancestry.
Castro	“Castle.” Old Roman name used in both Portugal and Spain.
Camargo	From Galicia. Often associated with nobility.
Barros	“Mud” or “clay.” May refer to people from clay-rich land.
Coelho	“Rabbit.” Initially a nickname, became a family name.
Braga	Refers to the city of Braga, Portugal. Indicates origin.
Leite	“Milk.” Likely occupational (dairy worker/farmer).

One Reddit user shared:

Why Do Brazilians Have Two Last Names? 7 Key Rules of Brazilian Naming Conventions

To outsiders, a Brazilian full name might look like a legal document all by itself. But to Brazilians, it’s a quiet tribute to both parents. Most people carry two surnames: one from the mother’s family, followed by one from the father’s. It’s heritage, not hierarchy. You’re literally wearing your lineage on your name tag.

But there’s more to it. Here are the 7 unwritten (but very real) rules that shape Brazilian naming culture:

1. Mother First, Father Last

In most cases, the maternal surname comes first, and the paternal last. For example: Ana Pereira da Silva—Pereira from mom, Silva from dad. This goes back to traditional Portuguese patterns

2. The Last Name Is the Main One

Even if you have two surnames, the last one usually becomes your “public name.” That’s what appears on jerseys, job tags, and government lists. So yes, Silva always wins the spotlight.

3. Prepositions Matter—Sometimes

You’ll often see de, da, do before a surname. These mean “of” or “from.” But people drop them in casual use: João da Costa might just go by João Costa.

4. Middle Names Can Be More Than One

Brazilian names often have two or more given names (like Maria Clara or João Pedro) before the surnames.  Think of them like a name sandwich.

5. Married Names Are Flexible

Some women take their husband’s surname, some don’t. Some men even adopt their wife’s surname. As it is a growing trend in urban areas. Legally, it’s a choice.

6. Júnior, Neto, Filho = Legacy

Suffixes like Júnior (son), Neto (grandson), or Filho (son) are used to distinguish children named after parents. For instance, Carlos Lima Neto is Carlos Lima’s grandson.

7. One Name Abroad, Two Names at Home

It’s not uncommon for Brazilians living abroad to drop a surname or simplify their name for forms. A Reddit user shared:

“In the US, I go by ‘Fernanda Rocha’—less confusion. But legally, I’m still Fernanda Rocha de Andrade.”
—r/Brazil

23 Most Common Brazilian Last Names (With Meanings & Origins)

Common Brazilian last names are everywhere. From football fields to courtrooms to grocery stores, these surnames echo across generations. 

Below are 23 of the most popular Brazilian surnames, their meanings, and where they come from. These names represent millions of Brazilians. They show how deeply colonial and religious influences shaped naming patterns.

Last Name	Meaning & Origin
Silva	From Latin silva, meaning “forest.” Once given to freed slaves or people of unknown ancestry. It’s the most common surname in Brazil.
Santos	Means “saints.” Given to orphans or babies born on All Saints’ Day. A name of Catholic devotion.
Oliveira	“Olive tree.” Symbolizes peace, wisdom, and links to agriculture.
Souza/Sousa	From the Sousa River region in northern Portugal. A noble name with geographic origins.
Pereira	“Pear tree.” One of the oldest locative names in Portuguese history.
Ferreira	From ferro (iron). Originally given to blacksmiths or people living near ironworks.
Alves	“Son of Álvaro.” A patronymic surname passed down the male line.
Rodrigues	“Son of Rodrigo.” Widespread due to its patronymic format.
Lima	Linked to the Lima River in Portugal. Also means “lime” or “file” depending on context.
Gomes	From gomo (man). Common in both Portugal and Brazil.
Martins	“Son of Martin.” A Roman-rooted name linked to Saint Martin of Tours.
Ribeiro	“Stream” or “small river.” Often denoted people who lived near waterways.
Costa	“Coast.” A geographic name for those living by the sea.
Fernandes	“Son of Fernando.” Strong in central Brazil and Portugal.
Carvalho	“Oak tree.” Denotes strength, rootedness, and nobility.
Barbosa	Likely a nickname-turned-surname, meaning “bearded.”
Nascimento	“Birth.” Typically given to children born near Christmas or Easter.
Teixeira	“Yew tree.” A noble surname from Galicia.
Batista	“Baptist.” Connected to religious naming, especially for those baptized around St. John’s Day.
Cardoso	Possibly from cardo (thistle). A topographic name.
Melo	Can refer to a region or mean “honey.”
Coelho	Means “rabbit.” Initially a nickname, later adopted as a family name.
Castro	From Latin castrum, meaning fortress or castle.

21 Rare & Unique Brazilian Last Names You Probably Haven’t Heard Before

Some of these Brazilian last names trace back to obscure regions in Portugal. Others come from immigrant enclaves tucked into the hills of southern Brazil. 

These rare Brazilian surnames are unique not just in sound, but in origin. Many have slipped out of everyday use. Because they are held by just even a few hundred people today.

Last Name	Meaning & Background
Ximenes	Old Portuguese-Spanish surname from Simon. Once noble, now uncommon in Brazil.
Mena Barreto	Composite surname of Portuguese nobility. Rare outside aristocratic circles.
Figueiró	From “fig tree.” Found mostly in Portugal’s Minho region—rarely seen in Brazil.
Vilela	Of Galician origin. May relate to a village or noble estate.
Tavares	Noble toponymic name. Rare in general population but preserved in elite families.
Laranjeira	“Orange tree.” A poetic nature-based surname.
Cordeiro	“Lamb.” Often linked to Christian imagery, now less common.
Balthazar	One of the biblical Magi. Used in Afro-Brazilian communities; very rare.
Muniz	Derived from Munitius, a Roman military surname.
Paschoal	“Easter.” Once used for babies born during Holy Week. Uncommon today.
Cunha	“Wedge” or “corner.” Noble name with military roots. Rare in rural Brazil.
Camargo	Spanish-Portuguese noble surname with Basque influence.
Serafim	“Seraphim” (angelic beings). Uncommon outside religious contexts.
Antunes	“Son of Anthony.” Much less common than Antônio or Antonioli.
Tremembé	Tupi origin. Indigenous Brazilian tribe name, now rare as a surname.
Xavante	Another indigenous name. Rarely used, but carries ancestral weight.
Kalil	Arabic for “friend.” Found in Syrian-Lebanese Brazilian families, mostly in São Paulo.
Ikeda	Japanese surname meaning “rice field.” Rare, found among Japanese-Brazilian descendants.
Ghidetti	Italian origin. Extremely rare outside immigrant families in southern Brazil.
Navarro	Basque origin. Originally used by Spanish settlers. Rare in Brazil today.
Hazboun	Arabic Christian surname, often passed down in Maronite immigrant families.

15 Brazilian Last Names That Come from Nature, Places, and Trees

These Brazilian last names with meaning often began as descriptions. They depict where someone lived, what they farmed, or what grew around them.

Last Name	Meaning & Natural Origin
Silva	Latin for “forest.” One of the most common names in Brazil—once given to freed slaves.
Pereira	“Pear tree.” A surname with both agricultural and noble roots.
Oliveira	“Olive tree.” Symbolic of peace and prosperity, common in rural heritage.
Carvalho	“Oak tree.” Evokes strength and deep roots.
Ribeiro	“Riverbank” or “stream.” A name tied to water and land.
Laranjeira	“Orange tree.” Nature-based and melodic—rare but rich in imagery.
Teixeira	“Yew tree grove.” A poetic, forested surname of noble Portuguese origin.
Figueira	“Fig tree.” More common in Portugal, rare in Brazil.
Monteiro	“Of the mountain.” A geographic surname signaling elevation—both literal and social.
Campos	“Fields” or “open land.” Common in farming families and interior towns.
Valle	“Valley.” Soft-sounding and tied to landscape.
Serra	“Mountain range” or “saw.” Often used for those living near hills or ridges.
Barros	“Clay” or “mud.” Possibly from fertile or mineral-rich land.
Costa	“Coastline.” A surname linked to sea towns and fishing communities.
Castro	From Latin castrum, meaning “fort” or “castle,” often placed on hilltops.

How to Use “da,” “de,” and “do” in Brazilian Last Names: A Quick Cultural Guide

Ever wondered what the little words in names like da Silva or de Souza actually mean? They’re called name particles, and in Brazil, they carry centuries of cultural weight. Think of them as connectors, like roots attaching a name to a place, a lineage, or a legacy.

In Portuguese, “de” means “of”, “da” means “of the” (feminine), and “do” means “of the” (masculine). They help show origin or association. For example, de Souza = “of Souza”; da Silva = “of the forest.” So when someone is named Carlos da Rocha, it might trace back to a location, like a rocky hill (rocha = rock).

Here’s a quick guide:

Common Particles in Brazilian Surnames

Particle	Meaning	Example	Translation
de	of/from	João de Souza	João from Souza
da	of the (feminine)	Maria da Silva	Maria of the forest
do	of the (masculine)	Carlos do Nascimento	Carlos of the birth
dos	of the (plural masculine)	Pedro dos Santos	Pedro of the saints
das	of the (plural feminine)	Ana das Dores	Ana of the sorrows (religious)

Now here’s the twist: legally, particles are part of the surname. But in daily life, Brazilians often drop them. So Maria da Silva might go by Maria Silva at school or work. And on forms outside Brazil, they’re often left off entirely to avoid confusion.

One Reddit user shared:

“My surname is ‘da Costa’ but outside Brazil, I just use Costa—it’s easier for banks and airports.”
—r/Portuguese

19 Celebrity Examples of Famous Brazilians and Their Surnames

Below are 19 famous people with Brazilian surnames.

Celebrity	Surname	Background & Cultural Relevance
Pelé	Nascimento	Real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento. “Nascimento” means “birth.”
Ronaldo	Nazário	Full name Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima. “Nazário” is a rare patronymic.
Gisele Bündchen	Bündchen	German surname. Reflects southern Brazil’s immigrant roots.
Lula	da Silva	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “da Silva” is Brazil’s most common surname.
Chico Buarque	Buarque de Holanda	Famous writer. A compound literary surname with Portuguese nobility ties.
Anitta	Machado	Born Larissa de Macedo Machado. “Machado” means “axe.”
Caetano Veloso	Veloso	Renowned singer-songwriter. “Veloso” is less common but poetic.
Gilberto Gil	Gil	Short surname with Biblical origins—also widespread in Portugal.
Tais Araújo	Araújo	Actress and Afro-Brazilian icon. Surname has Tupi roots.
Fernanda Montenegro	Torres	Legendary actress. “Torres” means “towers.”
Ivete Sangalo	Sangalo	Unique surname—possibly Spanish or created stage name.
Paulo Coelho	Coelho	“Rabbit.” Symbolic surname for the world-famous author.
Wagner Moura	Moura	Star of Narcos. “Moura” may derive from Moors or medieval roots.
Adriana Lima	Lima	Supermodel. “Lima” ties to geography and nobility.
Sergio Moro	Moro	Politician. “Moro” means “dark” or “Moorish.”
Camila Pitanga	Pitanga	Actress. “Pitanga” is a native Brazilian fruit—used as surname.
Marina Silva	Silva	Environmentalist and politician. A classic surname with colonial roots.
João Gilberto	Gilberto	Bossa nova pioneer. Surname means “bright pledge.”
Luciano Huck	Huck	TV host. German surname—reflects Brazil’s diverse ancestry.

How Immigrant Roots Shaped Brazilian Surnames: German, Japanese, Arab & More

These immigrant surnames in Brazil tell stories of adaptation and survival.Many families mixed them with Portuguese first names. Some of them changed spellings to fit the language, or used hyphenation to bridge cultures.

🇩🇪 German Last Names in Brazil

Southern Brazil, especially Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, hosts many German-descended families. Common surnames include:

• Schmidt – “Smith” or metalworker
  
• Müller – “Miller,” related to grain work
  
• Kleber – From the Germanic root kleben, “to stick”
  
• Wagner – Occupational (wagon-maker)
  
• Becker – “Baker”
  

These names are often paired with Portuguese first names like João Wagner or Ana Müller—a cultural mix.

🇯🇵 Japanese Last Names in Brazil

Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan, mostly centered in São Paulo. Common surnames include:

• Takahashi – “High bridge”
  
• Yamamoto – “Base of the mountain”
  
• Tanaka – “Central rice field”
  
• Kawasaki – “River cape”
  
• Ikeda – “Rice field by the pond”
  

Japanese surnames are usually retained fully, with little linguistic alteration.

🇸🇾🇱🇧 Arab Last Names in Brazil

Arab immigration (mostly Lebanese and Syrian) began in the late 19th century. Families often brought rich surnames linked to Christian or Muslim heritage:

• Kalil – “Friend” in Arabic
  
• Maluf – A family name from Mount Lebanon
  
• Saad – “Happiness”
  
• Hazboun – Common among Maronite Christians
  
• Nasser – “Victory”
  

These surnames became common in commerce and politics as many Arab-Brazilians entered public life.

🇮🇹 Italian Last Names in Brazil

Italian immigrants settled mostly in São Paulo and the southeast. Familiar names include:

• Bianchi – “White”
  
• Rossi – “Red-haired”
  
• Ricci – “Curly-haired”
  
• Ghidetti – Regional and rare
  
• Esposito – Historically given to foundlings
  

Unlike Portuguese names, these often stand out due to endings like ‑i, ‑tti, or ‑ini.

Naming a Baby? 25 Brazilian Last Names That Work Beautifully as First Names Too

Some names are too good to stay in the backseat. In Brazil, a handful of surnames have found new life as stylish, modern first names. Choosing Brazilian last names as a first name is symbolic. It connects your child to nature or heritage. Like naming your son Lima after a grandfather, or your daughter Teixeira for her mountain-strong spirit.

Here are 25 Brazilian last names that also shine as beautiful first names:

Name	Why It Works as a First Name
Silva	Strong, earthy, and easy to say. Means “forest.”
Pereira	Soft and lyrical. “Pear tree”—great for nature lovers.
Oliveira	Flows well and means “olive tree.” Symbol of peace.
Lima	Short, snappy, and international.
Teixeira	Evokes nature—“yew grove”—and sounds stately.
Ribeiro	Unique yet smooth. Tied to rivers and flow.
Carvalho	“Oak tree.” Rooted, noble, and poetic.
Costa	Coastal vibe with global recognition.
Campos	Gentle and green. Means “fields.”
Monteiro	Mountainous and powerful—great for boys.
Coelho	Light, fun, and animal-inspired (“rabbit”).
Barros	Short and punchy. Earthy undertone.
Serra	Clean and strong. Means “ridge” or “mountain range.”
Castro	Regal and historic. Rooted in Latin castrum (“fortress”).
Farias	Rare and rhythmic. Easy to pronounce globally.
Nascimento	“Birth.” Beautifully symbolic, especially for a newborn.
Batista	Has religious depth. Also sounds solid and classic.
Gomes	One-syllable charm. Simple, modern, and masculine.
Martins	Gentle but firm. A timeless option.
Cordeiro	Means “lamb.” Peaceful, poetic, and soft.
Araújo	Distinct and full of character. Has Indigenous origins.
Barbosa	Strong consonants, big personality.
Veloso	Smooth and sonorous—popularized by Caetano Veloso.
Navarro	Stylish and noble. Spanish-Brazilian crossover.
Tavares	Elegant and strong. Easy to shorten (Tav).

Wrap Up: What Brazilian Last Names Really Tells You

Brazilian last names are more than tradition. It’s a thread of family, faith, and place. It speaks of roots: sometimes chosen, sometimes inherited. Behind every Silva, Souza, or Takahashi is a story worth telling.

What’s your surname story? Were you named after a saint, a river, or your great-grandmother? Drop your full name in the comments. Let’s build a map of Brazilian identity, one name at a time.