filho

Filho is a Portuguese noun meaning "son." It is used in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese and appears in kinship expressions. The term derives from Latin filius and has cognates in other Romance languages, such as Spanish hijo and Italian figlio.

In naming practices, Filho can function as a generational suffix to indicate a son who shares his name with a parent. In Brazil and, to a lesser extent, Portugal, a person may be recorded as "João da Silva Filho" to distinguish him from his father "João da Silva." The suffix is not universally used and may instead be part of a longer family surname rather than a separate designation.

Beyond names, "filho" appears in phrases describing familial relationships, such as "filho único" (only son) and "filho de" (son of). In genealogical or legal contexts, the term helps track lineages and distinctions between generations.

Notable usage includes its frequent presence in Brazilian names and official records, reflecting naming customs rather than a standalone surname. In some cases, "Filho" may appear as part of a surname rather than solely as a generational suffix.

See also: Filhos (plural) and Filho (surname).