Coelho

Coelho is a Portuguese surname derived from the word coelho, meaning rabbit or hare in Portuguese. The name likely began as a nickname for an agile or quick person or as a toponymic symbol for families living near a place associated with rabbits, and it later became hereditary.

The surname is common in Portuguese-speaking countries and among the Lusophone diaspora. It is especially prevalent in Portugal and Brazil, with the name also found in Mozambique, Angola, and communities abroad that trace their roots to these regions. Variants or similar-sounding forms exist in other languages, but Coelho remains the standard Portuguese form.

Notable individuals bearing the surname include Paulo Coelho (born 1947), a Brazilian writer best known for The Alchemist, a work translated into many languages and widely read around the world. Beyond this, the surname is carried by many people across various professions in Portuguese-speaking communities, including sports, politics, and the arts.

In cultural contexts, Coelho is a common surname in fictional works set in Portuguese-speaking regions, reflecting its broad presence in everyday life as well as public discourse.