Alves is a surname of Portuguese origin, derived from the Portuguese word "alvo," which means "white." It is believed to have originated as a nickname given to someone who had light-colored hair or fair skin. The name Alves has a rich history in Portugal, with many notable individuals bearing this surname throughout its recorded history.
The earliest known use of the surname Alves can be traced back to the 13th century in Portugal. One of the first records of the name is that of Pero Martins de Alvares, who was born in the town of Guimaraes in 1240. He served as a knight and fought alongside King Sancho II during the Battle of Alarcos against the Moors.
Over time, the Alves family became prominent in Portuguese society, producing many notable figures in various fields such as politics, literature, and arts. Some famous individuals with the surname Alves include:
* António de Oliveira Salazar, who served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968.
* Carlos Alberto Alves, a Brazilian footballer who played for several teams in Brazil and Europe during the 1970s and 1980s.
* Fernando Lopes da Silva Alves, a Portuguese poet and literary critic who was born in 1858.
Today, Alves is still a popular surname in Portugal and Brazil, with many people carrying on the family name's rich history and tradition. Despite its origins as a nickname, the surname Alves has evolved into a proud and respected family name that continues to be passed down through generations.
Here are some fascinating statistics about the given name Alves, based on data from the United States:
* The year 1920 was quite notable for this name, as it was the year with the highest number of births registered: 5 babies were named Alves that year.
* However, when considering the overall population size and birth rates across all years, the total number of individuals born in the U.S. with the name Alves is still relatively small, also at 5.
These figures provide an interesting glimpse into the naming trends and popularity of the name Alves over time. Despite its limited occurrence, each individual named Alves contributes to the rich tapestry of diversity in American nomenclature.