Meaning & History
Marinho is a Portuguese given name and surname, functioning as a diminutive of Mário. The name Mário itself is the Portuguese form of Marius, a Roman family name with disputed origins. Marius may derive from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, or from the Latin word mas, maris meaning "male". Alternatively, since early Christian times, Marius has been used as a masculine counterpart to the name Maria.
Notable Bearers
Marinho is notably borne by several Brazilian footballers, including:
Marinho Peres (born 1947), a defender who played for Brazil and clubs such as Santos and Barcelona.
Marinho Chagas (Francisco das Chagas Marinho; 1952–2014), a left-back known for his time at Botafogo and Fluminense.
As a surname, it is shared by many Brazilian athletes, such as David Luiz Moreira Marinho (born 1987), a star defender for Chelsea and the Brazilian national team; Carlos Henrique Carneiro Marinho (born 1993), a forward for sports like local clubs; and Marcelo dos Santos Marinho (born 1984), another footballer.
Cultural Significance
In Brazil, Marinho is also linked to media and philanthropy, such as Roberto Irineu Marinho (born 1947) and João Roberto Marinho (born 1953), sons of Roberto Marinho, former owner of Rede Globo, a major television broadcaster. Lily Marinho (1921–2011) was a prominent philanthropist and socialite known for her cultural contributions. Others include António Marinho e Pinto (born 1950), a Portuguese lawyer and member of the European Parliament. The name thus appears prominently in sports, media, and public life across the Portuguese-speaking world.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Marinho