The name Portugal may now evoke coastal landscapes, historic cities, and a rich culture — but its origin dates back to ancient times, even before the country itself was founded.
This article takes you on a journey through the linguistic and historical roots of the name Portugal, from Celtic tribes and Roman influence to the rise of the County of Portucale and the emergence of the modern kingdom. So, let’s start from the beginning:
Before being known as Portugal, the territory was referred to as Ophiussa by the ancient Greeks, meaning “land of serpents.” This name came from the Ophis people, who venerated snakes as spiritual or protective symbols. The association between snakes and Portuguese identity can still be seen in the Serpe Real — the royal serpent featured in the coat of arms of the Kings of Portugal.
Some believe that behind King João I’s (1357–1433) decision to incorporate the serpent into the royal coat of arms lies an awareness of the Portuguese people's historical connection to this ancient group. However, academics remain divided on the reasons for its appearance in royal heraldry — some attribute it to English influence from Queen Philippa of Lancaster, symbolising Saint George and the mythical battle against the dragon, while others point to the biblical story of Moses turning his staff into a serpent.
Regarding Portugal, it is also worth mentioning that the ancient Greeks called this region Ophiussa (including Galicia), which means Land of Serpents. The Ophis or Ophites, wise initiates, lived mainly in the mountains of northern Portugal and Galicia. In ancient traditional cultures, the serpent symbol was associated with great initiates, as well as with the Earth's energy currents.
Some authors link the Ophis people to Druids or Proto-Celts, or even to the ancient Egyptians. In Egyptian sources, it is mentioned that the "serpents" of Karnak or Luxor emigrated to Europe. Taking the theory of an Egyptian origin as true, their peculiar religious veneration could be related to the Egyptian deity Uto ("the green one"), whose cult center was Buto (modern Tell el-Fara'in), in northern Egypt.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that Portugal — once called Ophiussa — was considered a land of serpents, mystical creatures. Therefore, we may also consider the land of our ancestors, Ophiussa, as a Sacred Land.
Before the Romans arrived, the region was inhabited by Celtic tribes such as the Callaeci (the origin of the name Galicia). The word Cale may derive from the Proto-Celtic kal-, meaning hard or strong, possibly reflecting the character of the people and the rugged landscape.
The Romans conquered the region and established the province of Gallaecia, covering much of the northwest Iberian Peninsula. The name Portus Cale was first used to describe a strategic harbor on the Douro that would later become central to the region's political identity.
The name "Portugal" comes from Portus Cale, the Latin name for the ancient city we now know as Porto. “Portus” means port or harbor, while “Cale” was likely the name of a Celtic settlement located on the banks of the Douro River. Together, these words formed Portus Cale — the port of Cale.
Over time, this toponym evolved both linguistically and politically into Portucale, referring to the area surrounding the Douro River. The County of Portucale, ruled by Afonso Henriques (initially Count of Portucale), would eventually give rise to the name Portugal when he declared himself king in 1139 and founded the kingdom.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Iberian Peninsula was invaded by the Suebi, Visigoths, and later the Moors. It was the County of Portucale, under the Kingdom of León, that would become the cradle of Portuguese independence. Following Afonso Henriques’s victory at the Battle of Ourique and the gradual recognition of sovereignty, Portugal officially became an independent kingdom in 1143.
The name Portugal gradually came to refer to the entire territory as the kingdom expanded southward.
From Latin Portus Cale came the popular form Portucale, then Portugale, and finally Portugal. This linguistic transition reflects the blend of Vulgar Latin, Galician-Portuguese, and the various languages spoken by the peoples who occupied the region.
Interestingly, the Portuguese language only became the official language of the kingdom in 1290, by order of King Dinis, who founded the University of Lisbon and declared Portuguese the language of administration and culture, replacing Latin.
Over the centuries, Portugal has had five official capital cities:
Guimarães (birthplace of the nation)
Coimbra (during the first dynasty)
Lisbon (from 1255 onwards)
Rio de Janeiro (when the Portuguese court fled to Brazil)
Angra do Heroísmo (liberal capital during the civil war)
Despite minor territorial shifts, Portugal's mainland borders have remained essentially unchanged since 1279 — a rare achievement in European history.
The name Portugal is far more than a geographical label. It’s a linguistic and cultural testimony that spans millennia — from Greeks, Celtic and Roman times to the formation of a European nation-state as we know it today.
Each syllable carries echoes of ancient tribes, imperial conquests, popular resistance, and a profound sense of identity. Portugal is, truly, a word with a soul and history.
When you say “Portugal,” you’re not just naming a country — you’re invoking a living history that still pulses through its streets, its people, its language, and its collective memory.
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I’m Sofia, a European Portuguese teacher and artist. I offer engaging small-group intensives, personalized private lessons, and conversational practice designed to help you feel the language—not just study it.
