Find out how popular the first name Branco has been for the last 2 years (from 1997 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Branco by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Branco is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Branco.

The history of the first name Branco

The given name Branco has its origins in the Portuguese and Spanish languages, derived from the word "branco," which means "white" or "pale" in both languages. This name first appeared in the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period, likely as a descriptive nickname for someone with pale skin or light-colored hair.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Branco can be found in the "Cancioneiro da Ajuda," a 13th-century Portuguese songbook that contains a reference to a person named "Pero Branco." This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname or byname during that time.

Throughout the centuries, the name Branco has been associated with various historical figures, particularly in Portugal and Spain. One notable example is Branco Bernardino, a 16th-century Portuguese navigator and explorer who participated in several expeditions to the East Indies and the Americas.

Another individual bearing the name Branco was Francisco Branco Correia, a 17th-century Portuguese writer and historian known for his work "Monarchia Lusitana," which chronicled the history of Portugal's monarchy.

In the realm of religion, there was a Spanish Jesuit priest named Branco de Sotomajor, who lived in the 17th century and served as a missionary in South America, contributing to the evangelization efforts in the region.

Moving forward to the 19th century, there was a Brazilian military officer and politician named Branco Muniz Barreto, who played a significant role in the region's struggle for independence from Portugal.

Lastly, a more recent historical figure with the name Branco was Jaime Branco, a Portuguese architect and urban planner who lived from 1901 to 1989 and was responsible for designing several notable buildings and urban projects in Portugal.

While these are just a few examples, the name Branco has a rich history spanning various cultures and time periods, serving as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating origins of personal names.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Branco was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Branco, please contact us.

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