Meaning & History
Juscelino is the Portuguese form of Jocelyn, a name of Germanic origin. The root is the Frankish name Gautselin or Gauzlin, derived from the Germanic element *gautaz, referring to the Geats, a North Germanic tribe, combined with a Latin diminutive suffix. The Normans introduced it to England as Goscelin or Joscelin, where it was common until the 14th century. In France, Jocelyn is exclusively masculine; the feminine counterpart is Jocelyne. The name was revived in the 20th century, especially as a feminine given name in English-speaking countries, possibly from the surname Jocelyn (a medieval derivative of the given name).
Notable Bearers
Juscelino is famously borne by Juscelino Kubitschek (1902–1976), the President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. His presidency was marked by developmentalist policies and the construction of Brazil's new capital, Brasília, which was completed in just 41 months under his leadership. His full name was Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira; his mother was of Czech descent, hence the surname Kubitschek.
Variants and Related Forms
Related names include the French Josselin and Jocelin, the English Joss, the Germanic Gautselin and Gozzo, and the English variants Jocelyn, Jocelin, Joslin, Joslyn, Josselyn, Jocelyne, Joseline, and many others. The name has diverse spellings across cultures, all tracing back to the same Germanic root.
- Meaning: Derived from the Germanic element *gautaz (Geat) and a Latin diminutive suffix, meaning "little Geat" or related to the Geats
- Origin: Frankish/Germanic
- Type: Given name
- Usage regions: Portuguese (Brazil), French, English, Germanic
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jocelyn