Fernando Santos da Silva’s surname, shared by 150 relatives, is a remnant of Brazil’s difficult history, inherited from ancestors who were enslaved and likely named after their captors. Once a source of shame, the surname has evolved into a symbol of resistance and connection to both ancestry and the present.
Silva is prevalent among Brazilians, with approximately one in 40 carrying the name, including notable figures such as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and soccer player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. Its widespread use is attributed to slaveholders who assigned the name to many enslaved individuals, who then passed it down to future generations.
Historically linked to poverty and oppression in a country that abolished slavery in 1888, Silva was often shunned by prominent individuals. However, as Brazil confronts its past, many are now embracing the name, which is increasingly associated with pride and accomplishment, as seen in public figures like mixed-martial arts fighter Anderson Silva.
The name’s ubiquity was evident in a busy notary public in Rio de Janeiro, where multiple employees and clients shared the surname. Residents like Juscelina Silva Morais affirm that the name is integral to Brazil’s identity.
Tracing its origins, some historians link Silva to the Roman Empire, while others point to its prevalence in the Iberian Peninsula during the Kingdom of León. The name arrived in Brazil with the Portuguese colonizers, with the first recorded instance dating back to 1612.
Scholars note that enslaved Africans were sometimes given the name Silva by priests, particularly those headed to plantations. Wealthy landowners often assigned the surname to enslaved individuals, further embedding its legacy in Brazilian society.
Despite Brazil's abolition of slavery, the name's prevalence continued, as freed slaves often adopted the surnames of their former enslavers, reflecting a complex relationship of belonging and loyalty.
Individuals like Daniel Fermino da Silva have uncovered family histories deeply intertwined with Brazil’s narrative, revealing connections to both wealthy landowners and enslaved ancestors.
The origins of President Lula’s surname remain somewhat unclear, with some suggesting that it may have been adopted by migrants seeking new identities. Lula himself identifies as “just another Silva,” reflecting a broader identification with the name among the populace.
While Silva can signify privilege among the elite, it also represents the struggles of the working class. The experience of Silvas has been captured in popular culture, highlighting the challenges faced by many carrying the name.
Individuals like Marcelle da Silva Oliveira, who once felt ashamed of her surname due to her family's hardships, have come to embrace it as a symbol of resilience, passing it on to her children as a testament to survival.