grande

Grande is a term in Romance languages derived from Latin magnus, meaning large or great. In Spanish and Portuguese, grande functions as the ordinary adjective for large; in Italian, the form is grande. The word also appears in surnames and place names and has entered various modern uses beyond the literal sense.

As a surname and given name, Grande is found in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities. Notable bearer includes Ariana Grande, an American singer and actress (born 1993). The name may have originated as a nickname for someone tall or notable, or as a toponymic surname from a place named Grande.

Geography: Grande appears in many toponyms across the world. The phrase Rio Grande meaning “large river” is used for several rivers in the Americas. In Brazil, the states Rio Grande do Norte and Rio Grande do Sul bear the name. Grande-Terre is a principal island in Guadeloupe.

Culture and commerce: In modern consumer language, Grande is used as a size designation in some coffee shops and product lines, derived from the Italian word for large. For example, in North American coffeehouses associated with the Starbucks system, Grande is a 16-ounce size.