Cabral

Cabral is a Portuguese surname and a toponym used in Portuguese-speaking regions. The name is borne by many individuals across history and contemporary life, reflecting its widespread distribution in Portugal, Brazil, and other Lusophone communities. In geography, Cabral appears in place names that commemorate Portuguese influence and historic figures, though the most internationally known references are linked to people who carry the surname.

The best-known bearer of the name is Pedro Álvares Cabral (c. 1467–1520), a Portuguese nobleman, navigator and explorer. He is credited with the discovery of Brazil in 1500 during a voyage to India sponsored by the crown. Cabral’s fleet sighted land on the Brazilian coast on April 22, 1500 and claimed the territory for Portugal, an event that marked the beginning of sustained European involvement in Brazil. The voyage was part of the broader era of Portuguese exploration of the Atlantic, the African coast, and the Indian Ocean. Cabral continued to undertake naval assignments in the following years, and he died in 1520 in Santarém, Portugal.

Apart from this historical figure, Cabral remains a common surname associated with various people in politics, sports, arts, and academia. The name also appears in geographic contexts, where towns, neighborhoods, or districts may bear the designation Cabral, reflecting historical ties to Portuguese exploration and settlement.