Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Portia
GirlLatin· “from Roman family name Porcius”
- Meaning
- from Roman family name Porcius
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- PAWR-shuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,803
- US babies 2025
- 14
- Best rank
- #590 (1949)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Portia
Portia is a Latin name that means “from Roman family name Porcius”.
Portia comes from Porcia, the feminine of the Roman family name Porcius, which may be linked to porcus, pig, though the connection is not certain. Shakespeare gave the name to two characters: the clever heiress in The Merchant of Venice, who disguises herself as a lawyer, and the wife of Brutus in Julius Caesar, based on the historical Porcia. It is said PAWR-shuh. The actress Portia de Rossi is a modern bearer. Porsha is a related modern spelling. In The Merchant of Venice, her speech on the quality of mercy is among the most quoted passages in Shakespeare.
Other spellings with the same sound: Porsche.
Popularity over time
Portia first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years, starting in 1900. Its best national rank was #590 in 1949, and the most babies received it in 1989, when 259 were named Portia. In 2025, 14 babies were named Portia, and it ranked #7,803 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,129 in 1920, #607 in 1950, #1,073 in 1980, #1,825 in 2000, #3,192 in 2010, and #7,803 in 2025. Of the 10,627 US girls named Portia since records began, 18% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 1,545 babies. Since 2010, 506 more have been named Portia.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Taja, Monika, Krysten, Lissette, and Mai.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Portia is usually pronounced PAWR-shuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with P and ends in “-ia”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Porsche.
Middle names for Portia
A few middle names that flow with Portia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Portia
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Lists that include Portia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Portia mean?
Portia is a Latin name that means “from Roman family name Porcius”.
What is the origin of the name Portia?
Portia has Latin roots. Portia comes from Porcia, the feminine of the Roman family name Porcius, which may be linked to porcus, pig, though the connection is not certain.
Is Portia a popular name?
Not especially. Portia ranked #7,803 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Portia a boy or girl name?
Portia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Portia?
Portia is usually pronounced PAWR-shuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings