How Did Brazil Get Its Name?

Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the link. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and helps to support the maintenance and development of this website.

Brazil stands out globally for its profound diversity, evident in its people, landscapes, and culture. This rich tapestry extends to the linguistic realm, shaped significantly by European, Amerindian, and African influences. The country’s linguistic variety reflects the intricate interplay of these diverse cultural threads. This begs the question: after all, how did the country get its name? What about the Brazilian states, what is the origin of their names? Today we’ll dive into the different meanings of some of the most interesting Brazilian state names, and explore the rich history of this South American juggernaut. But first, let’s take a quick look at the country’s geography.  

Everyone knows that Brazil is an enormous country. But how big is it really? Well, Brazil is the fifth-largest country in landmass, with a total area of 8.51 million km². It also boasts the seventh-largest population on the planet with nearly 220 million people. To manage all this, the country is divided into 27 federative units, which are subnational entities with their own constitution and government and endowed with a certain degree of autonomy. Out of those 27 federative units, 26 are very creatively named states, and one is a not-so-creatively named “Federal District”, where the capital city Brasília is located.  

The Capital of Brazil – Brasília

Brasília was a planned city founded in 1960 and everything in it was meticulously and strategically designed and thought out. Every street and public building was put in its place for a reason, and from an aerial view, the city has the shape of an airplane, with the city being divided into two main districts in the wings of the plane: North Wing and South Wing. The capital’s location, right in the heart of the country and in the middle of Cerrado, a barren Brazilian biome, was chosen due to its distance from the ocean and from all of the country’s borders, making it difficult for occupation in case of foreign invasion. Its central position on the map was also a statement of the government’s willingness to connect the entire country and give more attention and investments to the landlocked states, shifting the economic balance inland. The name Brasília was carefully chosen, being a feminine version of the country’s name. 

How Did Brazil Get Its Name?

But this begs the question, what does “Brasil” mean? To understand the nation’s name, we must go back to when the Portuguese first colonized the country in 1500 and started exploring it, about 30 years later. The main sought-after material at that time was a type of wood named “Pau-Brasil” (Brazil Wood). It was a coveted red timber discovered along the country’s shores during the age of exploration. This timber, which lent the land its distinctive name, was highly treasured by European traders because the wood had a deep red hue inside and was used primarily for producing a red dye highly sought after in the European textile industry. In fact, the name “Brasil” comes from the Portuguese word for ember, “brasa”, due to the distinctive color of the wood. This unlikely name captures Brazil’s essence, mirroring the fiery spirit of its people, and paints an adequate description of this captivating land.  

Delving into Brazil’s historical tapestry reveals intriguing facets of its previous names, each layer contributing to the nation’s complex identity. Before the Portuguese settlers claimed the land, Brazil was known by various names among the indigenous peoples who inhabited its diverse regions, about 5 million of them before the arrival of the Europeans. One such term was “Pindorama” or “Land of the Palms,” used by the Tupi-Guarani people to depict the abundance of palm trees that adorned the landscape. 

The arrival of Portuguese explorers led to the adoption of the name “Ilha de Vera Cruz” or “Island of the True Cross” when they first set foot on its shores in 1500. This name was given because the conquistadors thought the newfound expanse was an island and were not aware they had just bumped into a whole continent. It also reflects the explorers’ religious fervor and the symbolic connection to the Christian cross. 

Yet, as explorations unfolded, and the sheer vastness of the territory became apparent, the name evolved to “Terra de Santa Cruz” or “Land of the Holy Cross.” This renaming sought to encompass the entirety of the newfound expanse. Finally, with the emergence of the lucrative Pau-Brasil trade, the land earned the moniker “Brasil” (with an ‘s’ in Portuguese). 

The Other 26 States

This is where things get interesting! Brazilian states have some of the most creative of names (but they may also get a bit repetitive, as you’ll see). Out of the 26 states, 13 got their names from an Amerindian language (mainly Tupi) and 13 from a European language (mainly Portuguese). Interestingly, 16 of the 26 states are named after a body of water, attesting to the indigenous people’s close relation to the local rivers, as well as the abundance of this resource in the national territory, as the country has the largest reserve of fresh water in the planet that accounts for 12% of the world’s freshwater resources. From this, we get state names, mainly from Tupi-Guarani, such as Acre (Green River), Paraíba (Bad River), and Paraná (Wide River). 

As to the Portuguese, they were more practical in their naming of the newly discovered lands. Usually, European colonizers chose very descriptive names for their newly conquered territories. This is how some current Brazilian states got their painfully literal names, such as:  

• Mato Grosso – Thick Woods 
• Mato Grosso do Sul – Thick Woods of the South 
• Minas Gerais – General Mines 
• Rio Grande do Sul – Great River of the South 
• Rio Grande do Norte – Great River of the North 
• Bahia – Bay (referring to the Bay of All Saints) 

The fervently religious Lusitanians were also keen on naming regions and states based on their Catholic faith, such as:  

• São Paulo – Saint Paul 
• Espírito Santo – Holy Spirit 
• Santa Catarina – Saint Catherine 

Here’s the story behind a few other state names: 

Amazonas 

This is the largest Brazilian federative unit in landmass and it encompasses most of the Amazon rainforest within its borders. This state gets its name from the Amazon River, which was named by Spanish explorers in the 16th century who were reportedly attacked by a group of native warriors led by women when they were sailing on the river’s dark waters. Legends of the time also spoke of Amazons (female warriors from Greek mythology) who guarded the legendary city of El Dorado in the heart of the rainforest.  

Rio de Janeiro 

Brazil’s most famous city (and state) also has an interesting name origin. Translating to “January River” in Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro’s name was given by Portuguese explorers in the region who, encountering Guanabara Bay for the first time, mistakenly thought they were arriving in the mouth of a large river. Since it was the month of January they decided to make use of their unparalleled creativity and name it January River. 
 
Rondônia 

This is the only Brazilian state named after a person who is not a saint. Rondônia pays homage to the explorer Marshall Cândido Rondon. Nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian state of Rondônia carries a name echoing the spirit of exploration and discovery. Rondon, a military officer and renowned Brazilian explorer played a pivotal role in charting the vast and unexplored territories of the Amazon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His commitment to connecting distant regions and fostering peaceful relations with indigenous communities earned him nationwide admiration and respect.

Conclusion

Exploring Brazil’s name and its states reveals a rich history. Beyond markers on the map, these names tell stories of resilience and discovery, each name painting a unique stroke on Brazil’s diverse canvas. The narrative is as varied as the nation it represents. Hopefully, the complexity and beauty of these names and stories compel you to learn more about Brazil and its language(s)! Obrigado pela leitura!

Planning a trip to Brazil! Dive into the heart of this mesmerizing country with Hostelworld‘s diverse selection of accommodations. Whether you crave the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro or the serene beauty of the Amazon rainforest, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss out on the trip of a lifetime – book your stay now and let the journey begin!

---

Written by Vinícius Lutterbach

---