Benício is a Portuguese form of Benicio. Benício is the Portuguese and Spanish form of the Italian surname Benizi, which belongs to Saint Philip Benitius (Filippo Benizi in Italian, Felipe Benicio in Spanish), a 13th-century Florentine Servite friar canonized in 1671. As a given name, Benicio gained notable recognition through Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro (born 1967). In Brazil, the spelling Benício is common and was the pen name of José Luiz Benício da Fonseca (1936–2021), a celebrated illustrator and designer known for his film posters and book covers. Notable Bearers Benzício da Fonseca, better known as Benício, was a Brazilian illustrator and designer born December 14, 1936. He began his career in publishing in the 1950s, creating thousands of pocket booklet covers, over 300 Brazilian film posters, and numerous album covers, advertisements, and book illustrations. His most famous works include the poster for the film Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands and covers for spy stories featuring Giselle and Brigitte Montfort. Benício died on December 7, 2021. Internationally, the name Benicio (without the acute accent) is associated with actor Benicio del Toro, an Oscar-winning Puerto Rican actor known for films such as Traffic and Sicario. Cultural Significance The name’s religious roots connect to Saint Philip Benizi, a key figure in the Servite order, marking the name with a spiritual heritage. In Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil, the name is well-attested, helped by the fame of Benício the designer, and fits a familiar pattern: the use of variant adaptations of Italian or Spanish surnames as masculine given names. Meaning: Portuguese form of Benicio, derived from the Italian surname Benizi; linked to Saint Philip Beniti (Filippo Benizi). Origin: Italian, as Benizi; directly from Saint Philip Benitius, a 13th-century Servite friar. Type: Given name (first name). Usage Regions: Primarily Portugal and Brazil (Portuguese-speaking countries).