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 list of notable past and present Seleção players who are known by one name include World Cup-winning stars like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Romario, Zico, among many others.
So why do Brazilians forgo last names or use nicknames in their professional careers? Here’s the history behind the tradition of mononymous soccer players out of Brazil:
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
How do Brazilian names work?
Brazil, a former Portuguese colony, typically follows Portuguese naming conventions which 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.
Some Brazilian surnames include da, de, do, das or dos, which are forms of the preposition “of.” The history of the prepositions dates back centuries, when slaves were often referred to by the name of the family who owned them. That’s why it is common to see last names with and without the preposition. For example, there are Silvas and da Silvas, which translates to “of Silva” implying past ownership.
Sports
Why do so 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 by international fans.
The origin of these mononyms range from simply first or last name, a mix of both or a symbolic nickname.
Why do so many Brazilian names end in “-inho”?
The suffix "inho" is used in Brazilian culture to emphasize "smallness, shortness, youth, fewness, etc." It is similar to adding "junior" to someone's name.
For instance, Ronaldinho means "little Ronaldo.”
While this suffix could be used to describe someone’s stature, it’s more commonly applied to descendents with the same name. Families and friends typically refer to the son or grandchild who is named after their father and grandfather as “-inho” to distinguish who they are speaking of.
What is the origin of some of the most famous Brazilian players’ names?
Much like Brazilian culture at large, the soccer team is a reflection of the many different naming traditions throughout the country.
For example, Neymar is just a shortening of his complete name, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. Similarly, Casemiro is simply the surname of Carlos Henrique Casimiro.
Meanwhile, Kaká is a nickname for Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. Kaka’s younger brother reportedly couldn’t say Ricardo, often settling on calling him “Caca” and a nickname was born.
Notably, the most famous Brazilian footballer’s name was also a nickname.
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento after Thomas Edison, was originally called Dico by his family. However, he struggled to pronounce the name of one of his father’s teammates at Vasco de Gama, goalkeeper “Bilé,” another nickname “for complicated and very Brazilian reasons,” according to the legendary footballer. That ultimately stuck and when he made his debut on the world stage as a teenager he became forever known as Pelé.
I'm a passionate soccer enthusiast with a deep understanding of Brazilian football history and the unique traditions associated with the naming conventions of Brazilian soccer players. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of the players mentioned in the article—Neymar, Pelé, and Kaká—and their contributions to the sport.
Let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
Brazilian Naming Conventions:
In Brazil, naming conventions follow Portuguese traditions, combining elements of both parents' surnames. The first name is followed by the mother's maiden name and ends with the father's last name. The article highlights common prepositions like "da," "de," "do," "das," or "dos," reflecting past ownership during the era of slavery.
Mononymous Soccer Players:
The tradition of Brazilian soccer players going by one name, like Neymar, Pelé, and Kaká, serves to avoid confusion and makes the players more recognizable internationally. The article suggests that the origin of these mononyms can be a simple first or last name, a combination of both, or a symbolic nickname.
Suffix "-inho":
The suffix "-inho" in Brazilian culture emphasizes "smallness, shortness, youth, fewness, etc." It is comparable to adding "junior" to a name. For example, Ronaldinho means "little Ronaldo." This suffix is commonly used to distinguish descendants with the same name, reflecting familial relationships.
Origins of Famous Brazilian Players' Names:
-
Neymar: Neymar's full name is Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, highlighting the Brazilian tradition of incorporating elements from both parents' names into the surname.
-
Kaká: Kaká, whose real name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, earned his nickname from his younger brother who couldn't pronounce "Ricardo" properly, settling for "Caca."
-
Pelé: The legendary Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, got his nickname from mispronouncing a teammate's name, "Bilé." This nickname, chosen for "complicated and very Brazilian reasons," stuck with him throughout his iconic career.
The information provided in the article underscores the rich tapestry of Brazilian naming traditions in soccer, combining elements of family, culture, and the quest for international recognition. If you have any specific questions or if there's more you'd like to explore within this topic, feel free to ask!