Portuguese and Galician: topographic name from Portuguese pereira 'pear tree', or a habitational name from a place called with this word in Portugal and Galicia (Spain). This surname is also found in western India, having been taken there by Portuguese colonists.

Pereira, city, capital of Risaralda departamento (department), west-central Colombia. It is situated in the western foothills of the Cordillera Central above the Cauca River valley.

Paisas often consider themselves different to other Colombians and according to genetic studies, they are actually an isolated population distinct from the rest of the country. They can be traced back primarily to the autonomous Spanish community of Extremadura that borders Portugal.