Mogi

Mogi is a toponym used in Brazil, particularly in the state of São Paulo, and in nearby regions. The term appears in the names of several municipalities and geographic features, often linked to local river basins. The most common references are Mogi das Cruzes, a city in the eastern part of São Paulo state within the greater São Paulo metropolitan area; Mogi Mirim, a municipality inland to the northwest of Campinas; and Mogi Guaçu, a municipality near Campinas, named after the Mogi-Guaçu River.

Mogi das Cruzes is a major urban center in the metro area, known for its role as a regional service hub and for historical churches and nineteenth-century development patterns tied to early Portuguese colonization and inland trade routes. Mogi Mirim is situated farther inland and has an economy historically linked to agriculture and periphery industrial activity. Mogi Guaçu lies along the river system that connects regional communities and contributes to the local landscape and agriculture.

Etymology of the toponym Mogi is uncertain but is generally considered to originate from Indigenous languages of the region, with the exact meanings varying between places. The element das Cruzes in Mogi das Cruzes means “of the crosses” in Portuguese, likely referencing a historical or religious landmark. In common usage, Mogi serves as a geographic shorthand in reference to these and related localities within São Paulo state.