Goan Catholic Names and Surnames - Names

Names

Konkani variants of most Goan Catholic names are derived from Hebrew, Greek, and Latin names from the Old and New Testament Biblical canons. Nowadays Indian names like Sandeep, Rahul and Anita, etc. are also used. Some Indian names like Kristadasa (Christopher) have European Christian translations. Bilingual names, having variants in both Konkani and English, like Pedru (Peter) and Mâri (Mary) are common among Goan Catholics. Portuguese names like António, João, Maria, Ana are common among the older generations of Goan Catholics who were born in Portuguese India. The Goan Catholic variant of many first names is the Goan Catholic Konkani version of its Portuguese counterpart which was borrowed from the Portuguese language (examples include Zâbel from the Portuguese Isabel, Zuãuñ from the Portuguese João, Pedru from the Portuguese Pedro, and Zoze from the Portuguese José). Most Goan Catholic names for males follow the second declension. Among women, the names follow the first declension, while among young girls, the names follow the second declension. Another popular naming convention uses English names, like Kevin, Kenneth and Sanferd, that have no Konkani variants. European names such as Savio, Mario and Andrea are also popular.

Goan Catholic variant English variant Portuguese variant Meaning Sex
Anton Anthony António Flower Male
Arkanj Archangel Arcanjo Archangel Female
Bawthis Baptist Batista One who baptizes Male
Lorso Lawrence Lourenço Someone from Laurentum Male
Jakob James Jacob Heel Grabber Male
Joki Joachim Joaquim He whom God has set up Male
Lazar Lazarus Lázaro God has helped Male
Magdu Magdalene Magdalena Tower Female
Mâri Mary Maria Beloved Female
Mortin Martin Martim Of or like Mars Male
Monik Monica Mónica To advise Female
Motes Matthew Mateus Gift of God Male
Mingel Michael Miguel Who is like God? Male
Monthi Monte Monte Mount Male
Nâtaline Natalia Natália Birthday Female
Nikel Nicholas Nicolau Victory of the people Male
Paullu Paul Paulo Small Male
Pedru Peter Pedro Stone Male
Filip Philip Filipe Lover of Horses Male
Rakel Rachel Raquel Ewe or one with purity Female
Šilest Sylvester Silas Wooded Male
Salvador Salvador Salvador Saviour Male
Saver Xavier Xavier New house Male
Simãuñ Simon Simão He (God) has heard Male
Zuãuñ John João God is gracious Male
Zâbel Elizabeth Isabel My God is my oath Female
Zoze Joseph José The Lord will add Male
Source: English-Konkani Dictionary and A Konkani Grammar

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