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Oi gente!!!! Tudo bem?
Japan, where the four seasons are distinct albet Brazil, where they are not so defined. When I was studying in Japan s an exchange student, I was deeply moved by the snowy mountains and autumn leaves! That feeling hasn't changed even now 😊. The summer heat is tough, though...
Now, let's get to the main topic! This blog will focus on the theme of "names of Brazilians."
When teaching language lessons or doing translation work, I often hear, "Sensei, I can't tell which part of a Brazilian name is the first name and which is the last name." That's certainly true....
In Japan, names are typically expressed in the order of "last name, first name," and nothing else is added. However, in Brazil, the way names are given has changed over time and varies depending on the region. Brazil is a vast country, so there are many different naming conventions.
For example:
Using names from the Bible.
Using two names (a first name and a middle name as a double name).
Choosing a name based on its sound, regardless of its meaning.
Naming a child after respected grandparents or uncles. In this case, words like "FILHO" (son), "NETO" (grandson), and "SOBRINHO" (nephew) are added to the end of the name.
Some people even like the sound of Japanese names, and you'll often see names like "MAKOTO," "NAOMI," or "AKEMI" in Brazil, even though the person has no Japanese heritage.
In fact, one of our household helpers named her child "MAKOTO" 😅.
So, why are Brazilian names so long?
The reason Brazilian names are long is because they may include double names or combine the mother's surname as well.
For example:
Rosana Maria Rodrigues Silva (this is a fictitious name).
Rosana: First name
Maria: Middle name
Rodrigues: Mother's surname
Silva: Father's surname
Among Japanese Brazilians, it's common to have a Japanese middle name. For instance:
Paulo Satoshi Santos Okamoto (this is a fictitious name).
Paulo: First name
Satoshi: Middle name
Santos: Mother's surname
Okamoto: Father's surname
The way names are handled after marriage has changed over time.
Since 1977, brides have been exempt from taking their husband's surname at marriage, so some women retain their maiden names. The 1988 Constitution established that both spouses have equal rights and obligations, and the 2002 Civil Code allows men to take their wives' surnames.
Nowadays, within the scope of the name change rules related to marriage, couples can choose any combination of surnames they prefer.
In Portuguese, there isn't a universal expression like "chan" or "kun" that are honorifics commonly used for anyone in Japan, especially for kids. So people tend to give nicknames when they become close. In Japan, it's common to create nicknames by adding "chan" to the first part of a name. For example, my name is "Atsuko," so I might be called "Atsu-chan." Similarly, someone with the surname Watanabe might be called "Nabe-chan." Sometimes nicknames are made using the latter part of the surname as well.
Brazilian nicknames vary, but like in Japan, many are based on the first part of a person's name. For example, my name is "Natalia," so I might be called "Na" or "Nat." I have a close friend named Renata, and we often call her "Re."
Additionally, in Brazil, people sometimes add "inha" or "inho" to a name. For example, "Paulo" becomes "Paulinho," and "Clarissa" becomes "Clarissinha." This is somewhat similar to the Japanese "chan" nickname, but it's often used for people who are small in stature. While it can be used for children, it's not something that can be applied to everyone as it is in Japan. I was never called "Natalinha" as a child.
If you call someone by their full name, it can sometimes feel a bit distant... So, once you become close with a Brazilian, I recommend using nicknames to address each other 😀!
If you're interested in learning Portuguese, please check out the H&A Portuguese Language School video below👇. You can learn Brazilian Culture as well!!
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