The Brazilian Real is the official currency of Brazil, but it goes by several other names. Some of the popular synonyms used for the Brazilian real are BRL, R$, Brazilian currency, Brazilian coin, Brazilian money, and Brazilian reais. In addition, some people refer to the currency as the Brazilian dollar, though its value is different from the US dollar. Another alternative name used for Brazilian currency is "cruzeiro," which was the previous currency of Brazil before it changed to the Real in 1994. Whether you call it BRL or the Brazilian Real, it remains one of the essential currencies in South America.