6 Brazilian capitals whose name you didn’t learn in school

We are used to saying the name of all the capitals of Brazilian states, but do you know the meaning or the reason why the name of some of them was chosen? If you read this beginning of text and curiosity hit hard, don’t worry. O incredible.club went to research and explain it to you now.

You can, of course, take advantage and test your knowledge. Do you know any of the explanations below, in addition to the capital of your state? Start this trip across the country with us!

According to an explanation by the local government, Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, has this name by combining two words. “Ará” means parrot and “acayu” is the fruit of the cashew tree. The city already had the name of Santo Antônio do Aracaju before changing the name to the current name. It was founded in 1855.

Founded in 1669, Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, derives its name from the indigenous tribe of Manaós, who inhabited the region where the city was born. The Mother of the Gods had as a landmark of its foundation the construction of the Fort of Barra de São José, idealized by Francisco da Mota Falcão.

It is impossible to go to the capital of Paraná and not see a lot of pine trees (in fact, araucarias), a typical tree in the state. Curitiba, founded in 1693, has a name that comes from the Tupi-Guarani language. Ku’ri means pine tree and tuba means a lot. The name, therefore, alludes to the enormous amount of these magnificent trees found there.

First of all, don’t read it wrong, because it’s a common mistake. It is bacaba, not babaca, a type of palm that is quite common in Macapá, the capital of Amapá. Also called Bacabeira. The city was founded in 1758 to protect the region from attacks by pirates of French origin.

When the Republic was proclaimed in 1889, Santa Catarina resisted the regime change and went to war with the federal government, trying to be independent. The revolt was ended in the mandate of Floriano Peixoto, the second president, and the name Desterro was changed to Florianópolis.

According to the city hall of Maceió, capital of Alagoas, the name of the city comes from Tupi, originally spelled maça-y-ok. According to the “Michaelis” dictionary, the name can also mean a “lake that, due to the effect of the tides or rainwater, forms on the coast”.

Tell us if you knew any of these meanings and which one you found most curious. We want your comments!

And what does the name of your city mean?