Portia is the English form of Porcia — feminine of the Roman gens name *Porcius* (from *porcus*, "pig"). Despite the humble etymology, the name became aristocratic through Porcia Catonis (c. 70-43 BCE), daughter of Cato the Younger and wife of Brutus. **A top-1000 US baby name since 1980**. **Portia (Merchant of Venice, c. 1596)** — **Shakespeare's heroine; a Renaissance heiress who disguises herself as a male lawyer to argue Antonio's case in court against Shylock; her "The quality of mercy is not strain'd" speech (Act IV, Scene 1) is among the most-quoted passages in Western legal literature**. **Considered one of Shakespeare's most-intellectually independent heroines; the role is among the most-coveted on the English stage**. **Portia de Rossi (born Amanda Lee Rogers, 1973)** — Australian-American actress; *Ally McBeal* (1998-2002) as Nelle Porter; *Arrested Development* (2003-2006, 2013-2019) as Lindsay Bluth Funke. **Married Ellen DeGeneres in 2008 — one of the most-watched LGBTQ+ celebrity weddings**. **Portia Catonis (Porcia Catonis)** (c. 70-43 BCE) — Roman matron; co-conspirator with her husband Brutus in the assassination of Julius Caesar; reputedly stabbed herself in the thigh to prove she could keep a secret. **Portia Doubleday** — *Mr. Robot*. **Portia White** (1911-1968) — Canadian contralto.
Featured throughout Shakespearean canon and contemporary culture.
Portia reduces to two — the number of The Merchant of Venice.