Salvador

Salvador is a masculine given name in Spanish and Portuguese, derived from the Latin salvator, meaning “savior.” It is used in many countries and can appear in various religious and cultural contexts. The name also shows up in place names and other forms of nomenclature that reflect its Christian roots.

The most prominent place associated with the term is Salvador, a major city in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Founded in 1549, the city has played a key role in Brazil’s colonial history and remains a major port with a diverse cultural heritage, including the historic Pelourinho district, which features Colonial and Afro-Brazilian influences. The broader region uses the name in other toponyms as well, and there are places named San Salvador in Spanish-speaking countries—the latter being the Latin-script form of “Holy Savior.”

In culture and media, Salvador has appeared as a title, such as the 1986 film Salvador by Oliver Stone, which examines political events in El Salvador and U.S. involvement.

Notable people named Salvador include Salvador Dalí, the Spanish surrealist painter known for his striking and dreamlike images; Salvador Allende, the Chilean physician and president who governed from 1970 until his overthrow in 1973; and Salvador Sobral, the Portuguese singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. The name remains widely used across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities.