Velho

Velho is a Portuguese adjective meaning old or aged, and a noun meaning an old man or elder. It derives from Latin vetus through Late Latin and Old Portuguese forms, and is cognate with similar terms in other Romance languages. In everyday speech, velhos appear in combinations such as “velho amigo” (old friend) or as forms of address or affection. It also appears as a surname in Lusophone countries.

In literature, Velho do Restelo is a prominent figure in Luís de Camões’s epic Os Lusíadas, representing cautious skepticism about maritime exploration and the costs of empire.

In Afro-Brazilian religious contexts, Preto Velho denotes a class of benevolent elder spirits invoked in Umbanda and some Candomblé practices, typically portrayed as wise, patient, and paternal.

In modern media, Velho Chico is the title of a Brazilian telenovela (2016–2017) about life along the São Francisco River, with the name referring to the river’s enduring identity.

As a surname, Velho is found among Portuguese-speaking populations and may appear in historical records and contemporary names.