Belém is a Portuguese female given name of Spanish origin. It means "Bethlehem" in English and refers to the city in Palestine where Jesus Christ was born according to Christian tradition.
The name Belém is derived from the Hebrew word "Beit Lechem," which translates to "house of bread." The name has been popular among Portuguese families for centuries, particularly during the time of Portugal's Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries when the country was at the forefront of European exploration.
Belém is also the name of a district and a civil parish in Lisbon, Portugal's capital city. The Belém Tower, a famous landmark located in this area, is one of the oldest landmarks in Lisbon and a symbol of Portuguese maritime discoveries during the Age of Exploration.
Throughout history, the name Belém has been associated with several notable figures, including Brazilian poet Belem Dias de Resende and Portuguese singer Belém Santos. However, its most significant association remains with the historic city of Bethlehem and Portugal's rich seafaring past.
"The name Belem experienced a notable increase in popularity from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, with peaks of 19 births in 1999 and 15 births in 2006. However, it has since declined, with an average of around 7 births per year in recent years."