Arlindo is a Portuguese masculine given name with uncertain etymology. It is likely a development from a Germanic name, possibly a masculinized form of Herlinde or Ermelinde. Herlinde derives from the Old German elements heri meaning "army" and lind meaning "soft, flexible, tender". Saint Herlinde (or Herlindis) was an 8th-century Frankish abbess, but the name's connection to a Portuguese masculine form indicates a cultural adaptation.
Notable Bearers
Several prominent individuals bear the name Arlindo, particularly in Portuguese-speaking countries. Arlindo Chinaglia (born 1949) is a Brazilian politician who served as President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil from 2007 to 2009. Arlindo Cruz (1958–2025) was a celebrated Brazilian musician, composer, and singer in the samba and pagode genres. Arlindo Gomes Furtado (born 1949) is a Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Mindelo, Cape Verde. In Angola, the name is represented by poet Arlindo Barbeitos (1940–2021) and UNITA military commander Arlindo Pena Ben-Ben. There are also multiple Brazilian footballers named Arlindo, including Arlindo dos Santos Cruz (born 1940), Arlindo Galvão (born 1948), and Arlindo Fazolin (born 1949).
Cultural Significance
While rare in English-speaking countries, Arlindo is a moderately common name in Brazil, Portugal, and Lusophone Africa. Its Germanic origin reflects the historical influence of migrations and conversions, while its use in Portugal / Brazil shows the persistence of medieval naming traditions adapted to Romance phonology.
- Meaning: Possibly "army tender" or derived from Germanic roots
- Origin: Germanic, via Portuguese
- Type: Given name
- Regions: Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola
Sources: Wikipedia — Arlindo