Damião is the Portuguese form of Damian. The ultimate origin of the name is Greek, from Damianos (Δαμιανός), which derives from the Greek verb damazo (δαμάζω) meaning "to tame".
Etymology
The name entered the Christian world through the veneration of Saint Damian, a 4th-century Syrian martyr who was executed with his twin brother Cosmas. According to tradition, both were physicians and are regarded as the patron saints of physicians. The name's popularity spread across Europe due to the brothers' fame. A later notable bearer is Saint Peter Damian, an 11th-century Italian cardinal and theologian.
History
Damião has been used in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries since the Middle Ages. The humanist philosopher Damião de Góis (1502–1574) is one of the best-known historical figures bearing the name; he served as a diplomat and historian and interacted with Erasmus and other Renaissance intellectuals. The name also appears as a surname, borne for instance by the Portuguese footballer Cosme Damião and the early Portuguese chess master Pedro Damião (1480–1544).
Geographic Distribution
In Brazil, Damião is common both as a given name and a family name. The municipality of Damião in Paraíba state is named after a local landowner. Footballers such as Leandro Damião (Rio de Janeiro, 1989) and Wellington Damião Nogueira Marinho have brought contemporary visibility to the name.
Related Names
Cognates in other languages include the Bulgarian Damyan and Slovenian Damjan, as well as the original Greek forms like Damasos and Damianos.
- Meaning: "to tame"
- Origin: Greek Damianos
- Type: First name (also surname)
- Usage Regions: Portugal, Brazil, Portuguese Africa
Other Languages & Cultures
Sources: Wikipedia — Damião