30 Most Popular Brazilian Names for Boys and Girls

Names in Brazil do more than just identify a person—they tell you where someone comes from, what their family values, and sometimes, who they were meant to be. In Brazilian culture, names are soaked in history, shaped by the Portuguese language, and often chosen with care that goes way beyond fashion. It’s not unusual for a name to honor a saint, carry Indigenous significance, or reflect a subtle nod to family roots. And while some names like João, Ana, or Miguel never seem to fall out of favor, there’s a quiet shift happening—one that mixes tradition with modern taste.

Portuguese remains the backbone of most Brazilian boy and girl names, thanks to colonization. But in practice, the list of baby names in Brazil reads more like a cultural mosaic. You’ll find Biblical staples like Gabriel or Maria right next to names rooted in native languages—Iara, Cauê, Tainá. Parents today are just as likely to choose names for how they sound in conversation as they are for meaning. And that’s the thing—Brazilian names don’t just sit on a form. They’re sung, shortened, whispered, and shouted. They have rhythm.

Top 15 Brazilian Names for Boys (With Meaning & Origin)

Brazilian male baby names reflect a rich linguistic fusion shaped by Portuguese, Biblical, Indigenous (Tupi), and Roman influences. These names often carry deep semantic meaning, rooted in cultural heritage and phonetic beauty. The following ranked list highlights 15 popular Brazilian boy names, including pronunciation, etymology, and origin to help parents choose a name with resonance and tradition.

Top 15 Brazilian Names for Girls (With Meaning & Origin)

There’s something unmistakably timeless about Brazilian girl names. They roll off the tongue, carry deep roots, and often come with meanings that feel both spiritual and poetic. If you’ve spent time in Brazil—or know someone who has—names like Maria, Ana, and Beatriz are impossible to miss. But they’re more than popular. They’re woven into the culture.

Maria remains the most used girl’s name in Brazil, and it’s not even close. Over 11 million women carry it—many as part of compound names like Maria Clara or Maria Eduarda. The influence of Catholicism is clear here, with Maria tied closely to the Virgin Mary, a figure revered across the country. It’s not just a name. It’s a legacy.

Then there’s Ana, which has stayed consistently at the top of the charts for decades. In 2025, it’s still holding strong, especially when paired—Ana Júlia, Ana Beatriz, Ana Luiza. It’s short, soft, and filled with grace (literally—the name comes from the Hebrew word for “grace”). If you’re thinking of something that feels grounded but never dull, Ana is the kind of name that grows with you.

Names Cherry