In recent years, the trend among Brazilians has been to choose names that are short, modern and even inspired by other languages.
Names are an important part of our identity. They carry history, culture and even memories of other times.
In Brazil, many names that were common among our parents and grandparents practically disappeared from birth certificates.
Time passes, fashions change, and with that new preferences emerge — while some traditional names become increasingly rare.
In recent years, the trend among people has been to choose names that are short, modern and even inspired by other languages.
But it’s worth remembering those names that marked generations and that today are almost no longer registered.
10 names that older people tend to have in Brazil and are no longer being registered
1. Geralda
One of the most traditional names in the interior of Brazil, Geralda has Germanic origins and means “powerful ruler”. It was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, especially among strong, hard-working women. Today, it practically does not appear in new records.
2. Clotilde
With an ancient and elegant sound, Clotilde also has Germanic origins and means “glorious combatant”. The name was widely used in traditional families, but fell into disuse over the decades.
3. Joana
Despite still appearing occasionally, Joana is a name that has lost space to modern variations such as Joanna or Giovanna. Of Hebrew origin, it means “God is full of grace” and is a classic that refers to strength and simplicity.
4. Marlene
Marlene was a common name among women born between the 1950s and 1970s, greatly influenced by the German actress Marlene Dietrich. Nowadays, it is rare to find babies with this name.
5. Glory
With a noble meaning — “honor” or “reputation” —, Glória was a beloved name for generations. It peaked in the 1960s, but ended up losing popularity to shorter, more international names.
6. Manuel
Among men, Manuel is one of the oldest and most traditional names. It comes from the Hebrew “Immanuel”, which means “God with us”. It was common especially in the Northeast and in families of Portuguese origin, but today it is almost non-existent among newborn records.
7. Gilmar
With a strong presence in the 1970s and 1980s, Gilmar was one of the most common names among Brazilian men of that generation. Today, it is seen as an “old” name, but it still awakens affection and nostalgia in those who carry it.
8. Oswaldo
Of Germanic origin, Oswaldo means “divine power”. It was very popular in past generations, but disappeared over time. It’s the type of name that conveys respect and tradition, but is rarely chosen these days.
9. Waldir
Like Oswaldo, Waldir also has a classic and strong sound. For decades, it was synonymous with elegance and seriousness. Today, it is a name that is almost never seen in new generations.
10. Sandro
Sandro is still more common than some on the list, but has been losing space to more modern names. Of Italian origin, it is a variation of Alessandro and enjoyed great popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.
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