Thursday, 13 Feb 2025
Sport

The Fascinating History of Brazilian Football Mononyms

is neymar portuguese

Neymar, Pelé, Kaká – what do these Brazilian soccer icons have in common? If you said that they’re FIFA World Cup legends known by just one name, you are correct. The tradition of Brazilian footballers having mononyms is deeply-rooted and holds a captivating history.

How do Brazilian names work?

Brazil, a former Portuguese colony, follows Portuguese naming conventions. Brazilian names typically combine elements of both parents’ surnames. The first name is often followed by the mother’s maiden name and ends with the father’s last name. Brazilians surnames sometimes include forms of the preposition “of,” such as da, de, do, das, or dos. These prepositions have historical significance, harking back to a time when slaves were referred to by the names of the families who owned them. Hence, it’s common to see last names with and without the preposition, like Silvas and da Silvas, which translate to “of Silva,” implying past ownership.

Why do many Brazilian players go by one name?

The reason why many Seleção players stick to one name is pretty straightforward – to avoid confusion. While shortening the name makes it easier for fans to cheer players on, it also makes athletes more recognizable to international fans. These mononyms can originate from the first or last name, a mixture of both, or a symbolic nickname.

Pelé

Why do many Brazilian names end in “-inho”?

The suffix “-inho” is commonly used in Brazilian culture to imply “smallness, shortness, youth, fewness, etc.” It’s similar to adding “junior” to someone’s name. For example, Ronaldinho means “little Ronaldo.” While this suffix can describe someone’s stature, it’s more often applied to descendants with the same name. Family and friends typically refer to the son or grandchild who shares the name with their father or grandfather as “-inho” to differentiate between them.

The origin of famous Brazilian players’ names

Much like Brazilian culture itself, the national soccer team reflects the diverse naming traditions in the country. For instance, Neymar is simply a shortening of his complete name, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. Similarly, Casemiro is merely the surname of Carlos Henrique Casimiro. Meanwhile, Kaká is a nickname for Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. Kaká’s younger brother couldn’t pronounce Ricardo correctly and settled on calling him “Caca,” giving birth to the nickname.

Interestingly, even the most famous Brazilian footballer’s name was a nickname. Pelé, originally named Edson Arantes do Nascimento after Thomas Edison, was initially called Dico by his family. However, he struggled to pronounce the name of one of his father’s teammates, “Bilé,” another nickname “for complicated and very Brazilian reasons,” as stated by the legendary footballer. The name eventually stuck, and when Pelé made his debut on the world stage as a teenager, he became forever known as Pelé.

FAQs

Q: Why do Brazilian players have mononyms?
A: Brazilian players adopt mononyms to avoid confusion and to become more recognizable to international fans.

Q: What do the suffixes “-inho” mean in Brazilian names?
A: The suffix “-inho” is used to emphasize “smallness, shortness, youth, fewness, etc.” in Brazilian culture. It’s comparable to adding “junior” to someone’s name.

Q: How do Brazilian names work?
A: Brazilian names typically combine elements of both parents’ surnames, with the first name followed by the mother’s maiden name and ending with the father’s last name.

Conclusion

The tradition of Brazilian footballers having mononyms is deeply intertwined with the country’s naming conventions and cultural practices. By adopting mononyms, the players not only make it easier for fans to support them but also establish a unique and recognizable identity on the international stage. From Pelé to Neymar, these mononymous legends have left an indelible mark on the world of football.

For more information about Brazilian footballers and their statistics, visit Pesstatsdatabase.