Alvaro

Álvaro is a Spanish and Portuguese masculine name borrowed from the Germanic language (rather than Latin). Its origins can be found in the Old Norse Alfarr from the components “alfr” meaning “elf” and “arr” meaning “army”. Some etymologists believe that the English Oliver may be derived from the same Germanic root elements. Here’s another piece of interesting information: Álvaro was the name borne by 14 Kings of Kongo between 1568 and 1896. The name was influenced by Portuguese explorers, occupiers and missionaries after 1483 (they were the first Europeans to discover the Kongo kingdom in Africa). In a musical reference, Don Alvaro is the central character and tenor of Giuseppe Verdi’s 1835 Italian opera “La forza del destino” (The Force of Destiny) which he borrowed from a Spanish drama. The character of Don Alvaro comes to Spain from South America and falls in love with the daughter of a Marquis, Donna Leonora. The Marquis forbids the union because Don Alvaro is part South American Indian and therefore not worthy of Leonora’s hand. The feud between Don Alvaro and Leonora’s family ends tragically in typical operatic style. Apropos, Spanish-born opera star Plácido Domingo named his son Alvaro in 1968. Today the name Alvaro is extremely popular in Spain (a Top 5 favorite), and also fares well in Catalonia and Chile. Mexicans and Mexican-Americans don’t seem to use this name with much regularity.