Complete Guide 2026
Baby Name Laws in Portugal
Portugal maintains one of the strictest naming systems in Europe, built around a definitive official list of approved names. Unlike many countries where names are evaluated case by case, Portugal's civil registrars work from a published catalog — if your name isn't on it, the answer is almost certainly no.
Check if your name is accepted in Portugal
We have 7,481 names from the Portuguese Vocabulário Onomástico in our database.
The Vocabulário Onomástico: Portugal's official name list
The cornerstone of Portuguese naming law is the Vocabulário Onomástico — a comprehensive list of approved given names published and maintained by the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado), the Institute of Registries and Notaries. This document lists every name that civil registrars are authorized to accept when registering a birth.
The list is divided into two columns: names that are allowed and names that are explicitly forbidden. This dual structure makes Portugal's system unusually clear-cut — there is very little room for interpretation or negotiation at the registry office.
The Vocabulário Onomástico is periodically updated by the IRN to reflect evolving usage, but changes are conservative. New names are added slowly, and the list strongly favors names with Portuguese or broader Lusophone tradition.
The rules: what Portugal allows and doesn't
The name must appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico
This is the primary rule. If the name is not on the approved list, the registrar will reject it. There is no equivalent of Germany's case-by-case system — the list is the law.
Portuguese names are strongly prioritized
The list overwhelmingly contains names of Portuguese origin or names long established in Portuguese culture. International names that have no Portuguese tradition are typically absent from the list.
Diminutives and nicknames are not allowed as legal names
Informal versions of names cannot be registered. For example, you cannot register "Tó" (a common nickname for António) or "Zé" (short for José) as the child's legal name.
Names must indicate gender
The name must clearly identify the child as male or female. Ambiguous or gender-neutral names are generally rejected. Boys must receive names from the male list and girls from the female list.
Foreign parents have more flexibility
If at least one parent is a foreign national, they may register a name that is recognized in their country of origin, even if it doesn't appear on the Vocabulário Onomástico. They must provide documentation proving the name is legitimate in their culture.
Up to two given names are allowed
Portuguese law permits a maximum of two given names (nomes próprios). Combined with up to four surnames (apelidos), a full Portuguese name can be quite long, but the given name portion is limited.
Notable rejected and restricted names in Portugal
Because Portugal works from a strict list, many internationally common names simply don't appear and are therefore rejected:
Tom
Rejected — considered a diminutive (use Tomás)
Ben
Rejected — not on the approved list (use Benjamim)
Mia
Rejected — not a traditional Portuguese name
Nicole
Rejected — the Portuguese form Nicoleta is preferred
Santiago
Approved — well-established Portuguese name
Leonor
Approved — traditional and hugely popular
What to do if your name is not on the list
If the registrar refuses your chosen name, your options are more limited than in countries like Germany:
- Choose a name from the list — The simplest option. The Vocabulário Onomástico contains thousands of names, including many international variants that have been "Portuguesified."
- Prove foreign cultural connection — If you or your partner is a foreign national, provide documentation (passport, birth certificate) that the name is legitimate in your home country. The registrar may accept it under the foreign parent exception.
- Request an IRN review — In exceptional cases, you can escalate to the IRN headquarters for a senior review, though this rarely overturns a local registrar's decision based on the list.
- Check the Portuguese spelling — Many international names have a Portuguese equivalent on the list. "Michael" may not work, but "Miguel" will. "Catherine" may not, but "Catarina" will.
Most popular baby names in Portugal
Recent statistics from the IRN show these as the most registered names in Portugal:
Boys
João, Santiago, Francisco, Afonso, Rodrigo, Martim, Tomás, Duarte, Guilherme, Miguel, Gabriel, Tiago, Gonçalo, Lourenço, Salvador
Girls
Leonor, Maria, Matilde, Carolina, Beatriz, Ana, Margarida, Francisca, Inês, Lara, Diana, Sofia, Mariana, Benedita, Clara
Legal basis
Portuguese naming law is governed by the Código do Registo Civil (Civil Registry Code), particularly Articles 103 and 104, which establish the rules for given names. The IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) publishes and maintains the Vocabulário Onomástico and issues circulars with guidance for registrars. The current framework has been in place since 1958, with periodic updates to the approved name list.
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Search 7,481 names from the Portuguese Vocabulário Onomástico — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult the IRN or your local Conservatória do Registo Civil for definitive answers.