Eastern european names for boys: Top 150 Slavic Boy & Girl Names With Meanings

Posted on 20 сентября, 2023 by alexxlab

Top 150 Slavic Boy & Girl Names With Meanings

Slavic countries are known for their impressive culture, and so are Slavic boy and girl names that are highly popular for their style and meaningfulness. If you belong to any of the Slavic nations, have blood relations there, or are inspired by the culture and people of Slavic regions, then giving your little one a Slavic name would be a perfect gift for your child. Remember, you will give your child their name only one time in their life, so why not make it extra special that will not only distinguishes them but also elevate their character? Here we present some of the best, unique, traditional, and extra-special Slavic baby names for you to choose the perfect name for your child.

Popular Slavic Baby Boy Names

There are many strong Slavic boy names you can consider. Here are some of the most popular ones:

1. Aleksander

Aleksander is a Slavic version of the ancient name Alexander. The name is very popular and means “defender of mankind”.

2. Andrej

This Slavic male name means “learned” and “warrior”. The name is highly popular and has a cool vibe.

3. Anton

The name means “highly praiseworthy”.

4. Alois

This strong Slavic name has the meaning, “Famous Warrior”.

5. Alexander

This Slavic name means “Defender of Mankind” and is one of the strongest Slavic baby boy names.

6. Andrei

This name means “Manly”. It is quite popular in Romania, Bulgaria and Russia.

7. Arron

This name has the meaning “inspired” or “lofty”.

8. Bohdan

This is a Slavic name that means “Given by God”.

9. Bojan

This Slavic name means “battle” “fight” or “Struggle”.

10. Boleslav

A name that originates from the Slavic regions, it means “great glory”.

11. Boris

This Slavic name means “Snow Leopard” or “Wolf”.

12. Borka

This name is most often used in Bulgaria and other countries that speak Bulgarian. The name means “fighter”.

13. Božidar

Božidar means “divine gift” and is said to be a calque of the name Theodore.

14. Branislav

This name is popular in all the Slavic countries. It means “glory”.

15. Branko

A male name that is famous in South Slavic regions, it means “glory” and “protection”.

16. Bratumil

This is the name of Polish origin, and it means “love of a brother”.

17. Burian

The origins of this name are Slavic. It is said to mean “nearby the weeds”.

18. Casimir

This name has Slavic roots, and it means “proclamation of peace”.

19. Chryzant

This name is the Polish name of Chrysanthos and means “golden flower” and “chrysanthemum flower”.

20. Damek

Damek has roots in Hungarian, Czech and Slavic communities. It is said to mean “Red Earth’s son” or simply “Earth”.

21. Damir

This is a common name in the Southern Slavic regions. It means “iron”.

22. Danil

This name is common in Russia and Central Asia. It means “God is my judge”.

23. Darko

This name originated from the Slavic word for “gift”. It is very common in the Southern Slavic regions.

24. Dementy

This name has the meaning “subdue” or “tame”. It has Slavic roots.

25. Dmitri

Also spelt Dmitry, this name comes from Ancient Russia and means “devoted to Demeter”.

26. Dobrogost

This name means “good guest”.

27. Dobromir

This Slavic name means “good peace”.

28. Donat

This name has Slavic roots and has the meaning “given” or “gift”.

29. Dragan

This is a Slavic name that means “dear” or “beloved”.

30. Dragi

Dragi is a cool-sounding baby boy name of Slavic origin and means “beloved”.

31. Dusan

This name means “spirit” or “soul”. Some also say that it means “divine spirit”.

32. Fadey

This name comes from Russia and Ukraine. It means “brave” “bold” or “praise”.

33. Filip

Filip is a Slavic version of the popular name we know as Phillip. It means “dear” and “loving”.

34. Gavril

This name means “one who worships God” or “God is my strength”.

35. Gektor

This name means “steadfast” and “anchor”.

36. Ivan

This is one of the most common Slavic names. It means “God is gracious”.

37. Jadran

This is a Slavic version of the name Adrian and is said to mean “from Adria”.

38. Jaka

Jaka means “supplanter”.

39. Jani

Jani is a voguish name for boys of Slavi origin. The name stands for “gift from God”.

40. Jaromir

In Polish, it is said to mean “good reputation” or “prestige”. In Upper Sorbian, it means “peace”, and in Old-Ruthenian, it means “world” and “peace”.

41. Jovan

The name means “God is gracious”.

42. Jovco

This Magazine-style cover name is highly popular among Slavic people and is a great choice for boys. The name means “majestic”.

43. Kiril

Kiril is a Slavic word for a common name in the Orthodox Slavic world. The name also means “lord”.

44. Lazlo

This name means “rule of glory” and has Slavic roots.

45. Milos

The name Milos has its roots in Old Slavic. It is derived from the Slavic word “Milu” which means “dear” or “gracious”.

46. Naum

Just like Kiril, Naum is also a common name in the Orthodox Slavic world. However, it stands for “comfort” or “peace”.

47. Nicholai

This Slavic name means “one who conquers the people” and “victorious”.

48. Niklaus

This Slavic name means “the People’s Victory” and is a great name for any little boy.

49. Oleg

Oleg has roots in East Slavic and is a very commonly used name in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The name means “blessed”, “holy” or “sacred”. It is also said to mean “Holy Light”.

50. Pyotr

This Russian name means “rock” or “stone”.

51. Rade

Rade is a cool and short boy’s name, because of which many people like it. The Slavic name means “joy”.

52.

Risto

Risto, in a way related to Christ, means “Christ Hearer” in Slavic.

53. Stanislav

With Slavic origins, this name means “one who achieves fame” or “one who achieves glory”.

54. Václav

With Czech origins, this name means “Wreath of glory” or “more glory”.

55. Vladimír

This name has been historically seen throughout the regions of Slovakia, Czech Republic and Romania. Vladimír is the more common name these days, but it is actually a shortened version of the ancient Slavic name, Vladislav. Vladislav is an ancient Slavic name that means “glory” or “rule”. The name also means “great ruler”.

56. Yakov

The name means “supplanter”.

57. Yasha

The name Yasha means “one who defends man” and “supplanter”. This name is popular in Slavic countries, especially in Russia.

58. Zander

The name has roots in Slavic and Greek cultures and means “defender of man”.

59. Zelimir

This name has Slavic origins, and it means “Wish for Peace”.

60. Željko

This name comes from the Southern Slavic regions. It is said to have been derived from the word želja, which means “desire”. It means “desire for peace”.

Beautiful Slavic Names for Boys

Slavic language is brimmed full of beautiful and meaningful words. Here are some top and beautiful Slavic baby boy names:

1. Admetos

Admentos is a beautiful yet intimidating name for boys. The name means “wild” or “one who cannot be tamed”.

2. Akim

This wonderful-meaning name stands for “God establishes”.

3. Bohumil

If you want a traditional name for your boy with a little faith in it, we suggest trying this name. Bohumil is a unique name for boys and means “favoured by God”.

4. Dimas

Dimas is a variation of the ancient Greek name Demetrius, which is a Biblical name, meaning “belonging to corn”.

5. Floryan

Floryan is a pleasant Slavic version for “flower”. Isn’t that really beautiful?

6. Gavrail

Gavrail is a Slavic version of the name Gabriel and stands for “God is my strength”.

7. Laszlo

Laszlo is a unique and cool name for boys of Slavic origin. The name means “glorious rule”. If you want your little one to achieve great fame and success, this name could be apt for your son.

8. Maksim

Maksim is a vintage boy’s name which means “the greatest”. The name is used to refer to the greatness or superiority of a person; it could be perfect for your little boy.

9. Miko

Miko is a cute variation of the name Michael. The name stands for “who is like God”.

10. Miloslav

Miloslav resonates with softness when pronounced. However, the name also carries sophistication that could imply being a conscientious person. The name means “lover of glory”.

11. Mirce

Mirce is a beautiful Slavic name for boys and means “peace”. If your little boy has a peaceful attitude, then this name could be perfect for him.

12. Mylo

Mylo is a stylish boy’s name which stands for “easy to please”, “one who has mercy” or “soldier”.

13. Radoslav

Radoslav is a well-known Slavic name for boys. This beautiful name stands for “happy glory”.

14. Raivis

Raivis is a unique Slavic name which is derived from the name Raivo. It means “fury”.

15. Valentin

Unlike the Valentine we celebrate today, which is a symbol of love, Valentin, on the contrary, means “strong and healthy” in Slavic.

Popular Slavic Baby Girl Names

Slavic baby names are not just elegant but also very meaningful. Here are some of the prettiest Slavic girl names:

1. Aleksandra

Aleksandra is a Slavic version of the ancient name Alexander. The name stands very popular and means “defender of mankind”.

2. Agneza

This Slavic name is said to mean “chaste” and “pure”. It is considered the Croatian version of the name Agnes.

3. Alyona

This Russian name means “Light”.

4. Anastasia

This regal Russian name means “Resurrection”, and it is one of the most popular Slavic baby girl names.

5. Anca

This Romanian name means “favour” or “grace”. It is more popular in countries that speak Romanian.

6. Ania

Ania means “gracious” and “merciful”.

7. Beyla

Beyla, in Slavic, means “by God”. The name was made popular through Norse Mythology as Beyla was the servant of Freyr.

8. Bojana

This name originates from Serbia. It means “battle” and is strong, yet a feminine name for little girls.

9. Bronia

This is a Polish name that means “protector of glory”.

10. Calina

This name has Russian origins. It means “snowball tree”.

11. Chesna

This name means “peace” or “to bring tranquillity and peace”.

12. Daiva

This name of Slavic origins means “supernatural entity” or “beloved”.

13. Dana

Dana is a celestial name that resonates with power and strength. The Slavic name means “morning star”.

14. Danika

This name means “Venus” or “Star of the Morning”. The name has origins in Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian.

15. Darva

This Slavic name has the meaning “sweet” or “honeybee”.

16. Dasha

The name is Russian in origin, and it means “Gift of God”.

17. Desislava

Originating from Bulgaria, this girl’s name is popular in the Slavic regions and stands for “to seek glory”.

18. Dinara

This name means “treasure”.

19. Divna

This Slavic name means “fascinating” or “wondrous”.

20. Evelina

This name has meanings variating from “life” to “light”. The Russian meaning of the name is “life”.

21. Evonnia

This Slavic name means “Yew”.

22. Faina

This name is of Slavic origins and means “crown”, “shining” and “brilliant”.

23. Galina

This name has Russian origins. It means “tranquil” and “calm”.

24. Idania

This Slavic name means “hardworking and “prosperous”.

25. Ivana

Ivana, similar to Ivanka, is a popular Slavic girl’s name, meaning “God is gracious”.

26. Irina

Irina is a voguish name for girls, which means “peace”. One of the famous celebrities bearing this name is the Russian model Irina Shayk.

27. Iryna

Iryna has Ukrainian roots and means “peace”.

28. Jasoslava

This Slavic name has the meaning “glory of light”.

29. Jovana

This girl’s name has roots in Serbia and Macedonia. It means “God is gracious”.

30. Kalina

This is a Slavic name that means “Viburnum”. A Bulgarian Princess once held this name.

31. Katerina

This popular name has its roots in Bulgaria and Russia. Some of the meanings of the name are “pure”, “each of the two”, “one hundred”, and “far away”.

32. Klara

This name is the Slavic form of the name Claire. It means “clear” and “bright”.

33. Kristina

This is the Slavic version of the name Christina. It means “A Christian” or “one who follows Christ”.

34. Lada

In Slavic mythology, the name means love, goddess of beauty, and marriage.

35. Lidia

This name is the Slavic name that means “from Lydia”. It is common in Poland and Russia.

36. Lizaveta

This name has roots in Russian as well as Hebrew. It means “the promise of God”.

37. Luxana

This Slavic name means “from the light”.

38. Margosha

This name is of Russian origin. It means “pearl”.

39. Marina

This popular Slavic girl’s name belongs to Latin and is derived from the Latin word Marine. The name Marina means “from the sea” or “marina”.

40. Matryona

This is the Slavic version of the name Matrona. It means “Lady”.

41. Mila

With roots in Russia, the name Mila means “dear one”.

42. Miloslava

This Slavic name means “one who loves glory”.

43. Mischa

This Slavic name means “Who is like the Lord”.

44. Nada

Nada, a unique version of Nadia, is gaining popularity these days. The Slavic name means “hope”.

45. Nadege

This Slavic name means “hope”.

46. Natalya

This pretty name is perfect if your baby girl is born on Christmas. The name is of Russian origins and means “Christmas Day” or “birthday of Christ”.

47. Nikita

This name has Russian roots. It means “Unconquerable”.

48. Oksana

In Russian and Ukrainian, this name means “Praise God”.

49. Olga

This Slavic name means “Holy” or “blessed”.

50. Sonja

Sonja is a popular girl’s name meaning “wisdom”.

51. Svetlana

This is a very popular Slavic name. It means “light”.

52. Tatiana

This name is believed to mean “Fairy Princess” or “Fairy Queen”.

53. Tiana

This Name of Russian origin means “Princess”.

54. Valeska

This Slavic, Russian name means “victorious leader” and “glorious leader”.

55. Vera

Vera is a beautiful baby name with loads of cuteness to it. The name stands for “faith” in Slavic.

56. Wendelin

This Slavic name means “great glory”.

57. Zayna

This lovely Slavic name means “beauty”.

58. Zlata

This name has origins in Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Macedonian and Slovene. It means “Golden”.

59. Zora

Zora is a ramp-ready name, super modern and stylish. It means “dawn” in Slavic.

60. Zoya

This beautiful name is of Russian and Ukrainian origins. The name means “life”.

Beautiful Slavic Names for Girls

If you are looking for an elegant Slavic name for your little girl, fret not. Here are some of house favourite names to choose from:

1. Alina

This beautiful name would bring a smile to anyone who hears it. The beautiful Slavic name means “bright”, “noble”, “kind” and “beautiful”.

2. Ani

Ani is a short and cute girl’s name highly favoured by modern parents. The name means “very beautiful”.

3. Chessa

Chessa is a different and unique girl’s name, meaning “peaceful”.

4. Danica

Danica is an impressive baby girl name, meaning “morning star”. If your little one is fond of stars and the moon, then this celestial name could be ideal for her.

5. Dragana

Dragana has an elegant and sophisticated feel to it. The name stands for “beloved”.

6. Gavraila

You may not have heard of this name often, but this beautiful name has all the potential to become famous. Gavraila in Slavic means “God is my strength”.

7. Iva

Iva is short and cute and highly favoured among parents looking for a stylish name for their baby girl. The name means “God is gracious”.

8. Jadrana

Jadrana is a beautiful Slavic name that would look perfect on your little girl. The name Jadrana is a reference to the Adriatic Sea.

9. Jasenka

Jasenka is an elegant girl’s name meaning “clear” and “sharp”.

10. Lala

Lala is a name of many origins and many meanings. It has its roots in Hawaiian and Arabic, and in Slavic, it means “tulip”.

11. Leena

Leena is the ultimate baby girl name that should make your shortlist. The wonderful name means “light” in Slavic.

12. Milena

Milena means “favoured” in Slavic.

13. Misha

Misha has a smooth and airy feel that outshines girl names. This Slavic name means “who is like God”.

14. Nadia

Nadia is a spectacular girl’s name, meaning “hope”. The name is highly popular not just in Slavic countries but all around the world.

15. Radoslava

Radoslava, meaning “happy glory” is winsome, elegant, and adorable, all at the same time.

16. Raina

Raina is a quintessentially elegant name for girls and means “queen”. This name would be ideal for parents who consider their daughter as nothing less than a princess or queen.

17. Sable

This name just tugs at our heartstrings. Sable is a magazine-cover-styled name for girls. It means “black”.

18. Slavica

Slavic people will absolutely love this name! The name Slavica means “glory” and is an ideal name for baby girls.

19. Sonia

Sonia is a popular girl’s name, meaning “wisdom”.

20. Stanislava

Incredibly meaningful and ethereal-sounding, Stanislava is a Slavic name which stands for a “person who has achieved glory”.

Gender-Neutral Slavic Names

While parents look for top Slavic female and male names, there is also one other category which can be used for both boys and girls. Here are some fantastic gender-neutral Slavic names for your child.

1. Ivica

You’ll be surprised to know that Ivica is a known gender-neutral name except in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name means “God is gracious”.

2. Kaja

A short version of the name Karl or Karolina, Kaja means “many”.

3. Mira

Mira is short for Miroslav or any Slavic baby name starting with ‘Mir’”. The name means “peace”.

4. Nikola

While Western Slavic nations use the name Nikola for girls, Southern Slavic countries use the name for boys. It is a popular gender-neutral baby name, meaning “victory of people”.

5. Sasa

Sasa is often used as a short variation of the name Aleksander or Aleksandra. The name means “defender of mankind”.

6. Valera

Valera is a jaunty gender-neutal name, a short for Valeriy and Valeriya. The name means “healthy and cheerful”.

7. Valya

Valya is short for Slavic names Valentin and Valentina. The name means “strong and healthy”.

8. Vanya

Vanya is a stylish gender-neutral name, meaning “God is gracious”.

9. Zhenya

Zhenya is a short version of the Slavic baby names Yevgeniy and Yevgeniya. The name means “noble aristocrat”.

From old Slavic names to pleasant Slavic names, we have covered the top choices for you. Now, it’s your time to consider a name for your little one from these exotic and beautiful Slavic names. It is a great way to give your child a unique name.

European Boy Names | Nameberry

SorenHeart
- Origin:
  
  Danish, Norwegian
- Meaning:
  
  «stern»
- Description:
  
  This gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, is being discovered in a major way by parents in the US. It’s most closely identified with the nineteenth century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, but there have been modern fictional Sorens as well, in The Matrix Reloaded and the book series Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Charlie and Lola, and Underworld.
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MagnusHeart
- Origin:
  
  Scandinavian from Latin
- Meaning:
  
  «greatest»
- Description:
  
  Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning “greatest,” that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden. It is still a highly popular name in Denmark and Norway.
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CillianHeart
- Origin:
  
  Irish
- Meaning:
  
  «war strife or church»
- Description:
  
  This classic Irish name , which is better known in this country by its Anglicized form Killian, is one of several newer recommended Gaelic choices that have entered the American name pool. Killian now stands at Number 516 in the US, while Cillian is 22 in its Irish homeland.
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CosmoHeart
- Origin:
  
  Greek, Italian, English
- Meaning:
  
  «order, beauty, universe»
- Description:
  
  We all heard it on Seinfeld as the long-concealed first name of Kramer, then considered a punchline. Now some pioneering parents are embracing this expansive Greek name, which makes a creative and cool choice for a baby. Influential celebrity couple Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost chose it for their son, born in 2021, which will likely drive Cosmo up in popularity. In the UK, it currently ranks within the Top 1000 boy names and is trending upwards.
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CasperHeart
- Origin:
  
  Dutch form of Jasper, Persian
- Meaning:
  
  «bringer of treasure»
- Description:
  
  This ancient name, also spelled Caspar, is finally shedding its ghostly image and moving into the 21st century. Popular in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where it’s sometimes shortened to Cas, Casper could ride the style coattails of cousin Jasper.
  Casper was one of the Three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus along with Melchior and Balthasar.
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RaffertyHeart
- Origin:
  
  Irish
- Meaning:
  
  «floodtide, abundance, prosperity»
- Description:
  
  Jaunty and raffish, Rafferty is one of the most engaging of the Irish surnames, used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son. Fortunately, it doesn’t still go by its original form: O’Raighbheartaigh.
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IvoHeart
- Origin:
  
  German
- Meaning:
  
  «yew wood, archer»
- Description:
  
  Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in ‘o‘. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.
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LinusHeart
- Origin:
  
  Greek
- Meaning:
  
  «flax»
- Description:
  
  Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be yes.
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LevHeart
- Origin:
  
  Hebrew, Russian
- Meaning:
  
  «heart; lion»
- Description:
  
  This concise one-syllable name, has two possible derivations and two positive meanings associated with it. In Hebrew, it means «heart», while in Russian it means «lion». So strong and simple Lev has both a soft and a fierce side.
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DimitriHeart
- Origin:
  
  Russian from Greek Demetrius
- Meaning:
  
  «follower of Demeter»
- Description:
  
  Dimitri is a Slavic variation of the Russian Dmitriy, a name that comes from the Greek Demetrius. Demetrius was derived from Demeter, the name of the Greek goddess of fertility and farming. Among the possible spelling variations are Dmitri, Dmitrii, Dmitriy, and Dmitry.
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StellanHeart
- Origin:
  
  Swedish, meaning unknown , possibly «calm»
- Meaning:
  
  «calm»
- Description:
  
  Stellan is a strong, attractive, Scandinavian possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard, and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. Its trendy ‘an’ ending and the similarity in sound to the popular Kellen/Kellan make it all the more accessible.
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LeonHeart
- Origin:
  
  Greek variation of Leo
- Meaning:
  
  «lion»
- Description:
  
  Leon is one of the leonine names that is extremely hot in Europe right now. Although it peaked here in the 1920s, it is slowly making its way back, and it could climb further with parents wanting a more serious and studious alternative to Leo.
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LowieHeart
- Origin:
  
  Dutch
- Meaning:
  
  «famous warrior»
- Description:
  
  It originated as a nickname for Lodewijk, but now Lowie is more popular as-is, even ranking in the Top 100 in Belgium.
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ViggoHeart
- Origin:
  
  Scandinavian
- Meaning:
  
  «war»
- Description:
  
  Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular appellation in Sweden. Viggo Mortensen is a Jr., sharing his name with his Danish father. We think this name is so, well, vigorous, that it might appeal to others as well. Taylor and Natalie Hanson seemed to agree when they chose it for their fourth child.
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BastianHeart
- Origin:
  
  Diminutive of Sebastian, Latin from Greek
- Meaning:
  
  «man of Sebastia»
- Description:
  
  In Spanish cultures, and spelled either Bastian or Bastien, this is a fairly common nickname name. The German fantasy children’s book The Neverending Story features a young boy character called Bastian Balthlazar Bux, and it has also been seen in several screen versions.
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LarsHeart
- Origin:
  
  Scandinavian from Latin Laurentius
- Meaning:
  
  «crowned with laurel»
- Description:
  
  Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner.
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ClementHeart
- Origin:
  
  Latin
- Meaning:
  
  «mild, merciful»
- Description:
  
  Clement, the name of fourteen popes and several saints, has a pleasantly, positive, slightly antiquated feel, like the phrase «clement weather.»
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BrunoHeart
- Origin:
  
  German
- Meaning:
  
  «brown»
- Description:
  
  Bruno is a popular name throughout Europe and South America that deserves more attention here. Its color meaning makes it one of the perfect names for November babies, or really a boy born in any of the autumn months.
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LaszloHeart
- Origin:
  
  Hungarian
- Meaning:
  
  «glorious ruler»
- Description:
  
  The Hungarian classic Laszlo, with its zippy ‘z’ middle and energetic ‘o’ ending, has become something of a hipster option, beginning to be considered by cutting-edge parents.
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NikolaiHeart
- Origin:
  
  Russian variation of Nicholas
- Meaning:
  
  «people of victory»
- Description:
  
  Russian forms, like Russian supermodels, are hot these days. This is a strong, worldly way to make Nicholas new; it was chosen for his son by Barry Bonds, Jr.
  
  Nikolai also comes with several attractive nickname options, including approachable Nik, spunky Niko, or even hip Kai. A traditional nickname for Nikolai in Russia is Kolya.
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European male and female names

Lists of names of European countries

Abkhaz names

Abkhazia has been under the influence of various cultures since ancient times. Representatives of many nationalities lived on its territory. This influenced the formation of Abkhaz names. And yet, the Abkhaz remain faithful to their national names to this day.

Albanian names

In the history of the Albanian people, many controversial issues still remain, even the meaning of a certain part of the ancient names remains unknown. Nevertheless, Albanians remain true to their names, receiving from them a powerful charge of positive energy.

English names

Thanks to the widespread use of the English language throughout the world, the wealth of English literature, English names are quite familiar to our ears. Moreover, there is some similarity with Russian names — the melody of pronunciation and the formation of diminutive forms. As in many other languages, the history of the origin of English names has become a reflection of the historical processes that took place on the territory of England.

Greek names

Irina, Alexey, Tamara, Cyril, Alexander, Polina and many other names have become so familiar, “ours”, that it is hard to believe in their “overseas” origin. Meanwhile, these are names born before our era and saturated with the spirit of ancient Hellas. With full confidence we can say that Greek names are the soul of the people. For example, many male Greek names reflect the idea of the inevitability of fate, and their male carriers in our time not only see the “hand of providence” in all events, but are also ready to fight against circumstances and are not afraid of the heat of passions.

Why are Greek names so popular? The mystical power and huge popularity of Greek names lies in their history of origin. Some of them originate from ancient mythology — Aphrodite, Odysseas, Pinelopi. Others are associated with Christian values - Georgios, Vasilios. Hebrew and Latin names easily adapted to the Greek pronunciation — Ioannis, Konstantinos. Most male and female ancient Greek names had an analogue of the opposite sex, some forms have survived to this day — Eugene-Eugene, Vasily-Vasilisa.
Greek names are surprisingly melodic and are distinguished by positive energy — Eleni (light), Parthenis (chaste), Chryseis (golden). In the rich nomenclature of the Greeks, there was a place for foreign borrowings, which had to slightly change their sound, for example, Robertos. And each official name has a colloquial form (Ioannis-Yannis, Emmanuel-Manolis).

Dutch names

When we talk about Holland, we invariably remember tulips, mills, cheese and, of course, Dutch surnames, which are easily recognizable all over the world by the prefixes -van, -van der, -de. And few people know that names in the Netherlands not only appeared much earlier than surnames, but are still more important for the Dutch.

Hebrew names

Jewish names have a special history, and it is connected with the difficult fate of this ancient people.
Most of the ancient Jewish names have survived to our times thanks to their mention in the Old Testament. There are more than two thousand of them in the Bible. Many male names were formed from various names of God — Michael, Tsurishaddai, Yohanan. Sometimes theophoric names mean whole concepts — Israel (God-fighter), Elnatan (God gave).
Not all biblical names have a religious connotation. Like many other peoples, a separate group of Jewish names highlights any sign of a person — Iedida (sweetheart), Barzilai (hard like iron) or correlates with plants and animals — Rachel (sheep), Tamar (palm tree), Deborah (bee ).

How did the Jews «exchange» names with other nations? Even in the Old Testament times, the Jews had names borrowed from the languages of neighboring peoples. The Chaldeans «gave» Bebay and Atlay to the Jews, the Babylonians — Mordechai. In Jewish families one could meet Greek and Roman names — Antigonus, Julius. And Alexander, popular in many countries, became Sender among the Jews.
As the Jews became scattered throughout the world, some Hebrew names had to adapt to the language of the indigenous peoples. In the Arab countries, Abraham turned into Ibrahim, David into Daud. In Georgia, Yosef became Joseph; in Western Europe, Moses became Moises. In Russia, many Jews used Russian names that were close in pronunciation to traditional Jewish names — Boris-Berl, Grigory-Gersh, Lev-Leib. And such ancient Jewish names as Sarah, Dinah, Solomon, Anna, Tamara, Elizabeth, Zakhar have long become international.

Spanish names

At the end of the last century, Spanish names literally poured into our lives from TV screens. The craze for Mexican and Brazilian TV series led to the fact that Russia has its own Luis Alberto, Dolores and, of course, “just Maria”. No wonder that exotic, as if filled with the hot sun, the names came to the liking of some Russian parents. Another question is how such a Luis Alberto lives among Sing and Fedorov.

Italian names

It remains a mystery whether the cheerful Italians make their names so attractive, or whether the Italian name endows its bearers with positive energy. One way or another, but Italian names have a special charm and warmth. Perhaps the secret is that almost all Italian names end in a vowel. This gives them melodiousness and melodiousness.

Meaning of Latin names. Most Italian names are of ancient origin. Latin names were a distinctive sign of a person — Flavio (blond), Luca (who came from Lucania). Commoners received names derived from the titles of the owners — Tessa (countess), Regina (queen). Names such as Elena, Ippolito were borrowed from the myths of Ancient Greece, and the Western European peoples enriched the Italian names with their names, rewritten in the Italian way — Arduino, Theobaldo.

Italian naming traditions. Christianity not only brought some Hebrew and Arabic names to the Italians, but also forbade calling children «barbarian» names. The name for the newborn could only be chosen from the Catholic calendar, and the same names in the same family were repeated from generation to generation. This was due to the fact that children were traditionally named after maternal and paternal ancestors. This custom has survived to this day. He led to the fact that many derivative names appeared in the Italian nomenclature. For example, Antonio — Antonello, Antonino, Giovanna — Giovanella, Ianella, Janella.

Lithuanian names

For Lithuanians, the name has always been the key word for determining the personality of a person. In ancient times, each of the Lithuanian names had its own individual meaning. If the name given at birth did not fit with the character or behavior of its bearer, then a nickname was chosen for him, reflecting the internal and external qualities — Juodgalvis (black-headed), Mazhulis (small), Kuprius (humped), Vilkas (wolf), Jaunutis (young).

German names

In German families, when choosing a name for a newborn, simple rules are strictly observed. The name must necessarily indicate gender and cannot be fictitious. Indeed, why invent non-existent names when there is already a large selection. Moreover, the law does not limit the number of registered names, and some parents give their beloved child up to a dozen of them. Moreover, short forms of the name, for example, Katya, can be considered official.

Ancient German names. The oldest German names appeared before our era. As in other languages, they described the virtues and characteristics of a person — Adolf (noble wolf), Karl (brave), Ludwig (who gained fame in battle). In modern German, there are few such names left, about two hundred. From the second half of the 8th century, Christian names gradually begin to gain more and more popularity. Children are increasingly called by biblical names of Hebrew, Greek or Roman origin. At the same time, proper German names associated with religion appear — Gotthold (the power of God).

Borrowings. The close ties of the Germans with other peoples brought into German culture borrowings from the languages of Western Europe and even the Russian language. German parents give their children the names of famous actors and show business stars. Now in Germany, original foreign names are often becoming popular, which do not always meet the laws of German spelling. So, Gertrude is next to Natasha, and Hans is next to Lucas. But traditional German names have always prevailed over extravagant inclusions.

Polish names

The history of the origin of Polish names, like that of other Slavic peoples, is rooted in the pre-Christian era. Early Polish names arose from common nouns, which were essentially the nicknames of people — Wilk (wolf), Koval (blacksmith), Hola (naked). The child was often named after a deceased relative, so some names were passed down from generation to generation and became fixed in the folk name book. The division of society into classes singled out the nobility. In this environment, names formed from two components (Vladislav, Kazimir), which are found in our time, have become popular.

Russian names

The vast majority of Russian names, so familiar to our ears, in fact, do not have Slavic roots. They appeared in the Russian nomenology during the period of the establishment of Christianity in Rus’. And, oddly enough, the original Slavic names were almost completely replaced from everyday life. How did our distant ancestors call each other?

Ancient pagan names. The pagan Slavs lived in harmony with nature, believed in the existence of the soul in plants and animals, endowed natural phenomena with mystical power. The name served not only to distinguish people. It was both a personal amulet and a characteristic of a person. To ward off «evil spirits», the child was often given an unsightly name — Kriv, Malice. The affectionate name that the parents called the child was kept secret so that no one could damage the baby through it. The teenager, when some of his personal qualities were already manifested, was given a new name. Children were called names from the plant and animal world (Wolf, Nut). In large families, the name indicated the order of birth — Pervak, Devyatko. Names evaluated the personality and appearance of their carriers — Fool, Krasava, Malusha. Old Slavic names-nicknames have long disappeared from use, but at one time they became the basis for the formation of surnames — Volkov, Fools, Karasin.

Russian names with Slavic roots. Ancient names, consisting of two bases, which were originally the privilege of princely families, continue to live in the modern world — Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Miroslava. Already in Christian Rus’, the female names Vera, Hope and Love, popular at all times, were born. This is a direct translation of the Greek words «pistis, elpis and agape» (faith, hope, love). The Slavic names Olga, Oleg, Igor were included in the calendar, their use was legalized by the church.

Scandinavian names

The warlike nature of the numerous tribes that inhabited the lands of Scandinavia in ancient times left an imprint on the origin and meaning of most Scandinavian names. Even the custom of naming itself was rather harsh — the father had every right to recognize the newborn as a member of the family and give him a name in honor of his ancestors or abandon the baby.
Many ancient Scandinavian names originated from common nouns that name the distinguishing features of a person, the names of animals, objects, or abstract concepts. Such nicknames could change as a new individual trait appeared.

Scandinavian fidelity to national names. The rich mythology of the Scandinavians also could not stay away from a kind of «fashion» for names — children were willingly called the names of mythical heroes. Even female names often had a formidable connotation — Hilda (battle), Ragnhilda (battle of the defenders). Most of these names have two bases, which makes them related to the ancient Slavic names — Wigmarr (glorious war), Alfhild (battle of the alves).
The commitment of the Scandinavian peoples to their national names, which came from the depths of centuries, is worthy of respect. Even the spread of Christianity and the power of the Church could not supplant the patriarchal names. In the Middle Ages, a child could generally be baptized under any pagan name. And even later, the baptismal name remained secret, and in everyday life people used the usual old names. And representatives of the military elite even called Christian names only for illegitimate children.

Serbian names

Serbs are a South Slavic people who, despite the centuries-old domination of the Ottoman Empire, were able to preserve their national culture and language. Serbian names testify to this. The history of the origin of most Serbian names has Slavic roots.

Tatar names

It so happened that the Tatar people “responded” to almost every historical event by forming or borrowing new names.
Pagan names had common roots with all Turkic peoples. Usually they indicated belonging to one or another clan and the social status of a person — Ilbuga (the homeland of the bull), Arslan (lion), Altynbike (golden princess).

Arabic and Persian roots of Tatar names. In the 10th century, Islam began to spread among the ancestors of the present Tatars, Arabic and Persian names became stronger in the Tatar nomenclature. Some of them are undergoing changes, adapting to the Tatar language — Gabdulla, Gali. Especially popular now are female Tatar names of Arabic origin. They are filled with positive energy and have a melodic sound — Latifa (beautiful), Valiya (holy).
In Soviet times, there was no need to call children only Muslim names, ancient names of Turkic-Bulgarian origin reappeared in everyday life — Aidar, Chulpan, Bulat. And the old names (Chanysh, Bikmulla) were replaced by new ones — Leysan, Azat. In many Tatar families, children began to be called European and Slavic names — Svetlana, Marat, Roza, Eduard.

Variety of Tatar names. Tatar names are a huge number. Their diversity is associated not only with extensive borrowings, but with the creative imagination of the Tatar people. This was manifested in the formation of new names with components from different languages - Zhantimer (Persian-Turkic-Tatar), Shakhnazar (Arabic-Persian). There were female analogues of male names — Ilhamia, Farida. Despite the fact that the meanings of many Tatar names are difficult to determine, they are remembered for their beauty and originality.

Uzbek names

Uzbek names amaze with their diversity, bizarre pattern of construction and multifaceted meaning. To some, these names may seem exotic and unusual. Their true meaning becomes clear if we consider the history of the origin of Uzbek names as a reflection of the way of life, traditions and customs of the people.

Ukrainian names

Ukrainian names differ little from Russian and Belarusian names, they have a similar history of origin with them. This is due to the historical commonality of the East Slavic peoples, close traditions and a single faith.

Finnish names

The history of the origin of ancient Finnish names is closely connected with the subtle perception of nature by the Finns. In the old days, names were formed from the names of objects and phenomena of the surrounding world — Ilma (air), Kuura (hoarfrost), Villa (grain), Suvi (summer). Until the 16th century, the Finns did not have their own written language, and the Finnish language was considered the language of the common people until the middle of the 19th century. Folk names were passed from mouth to mouth, forgotten over time, they were replaced by new names borrowed from other peoples.

French names

Ah, those sumptuous French names! How they fascinated Russian society in the 19th century. It was enough to change the name a little and put the emphasis on the last syllable, and the rustic Masha turned into a sophisticated Marie, and the bumpkin Vasya into the aristocrat Basil. At the same time, few people knew that French names proper, in fact, are “foreigners” in their homeland. Their origin is associated with historical events that led to numerous borrowings from the names of various ancient tribes and peoples.

Historical borrowings of French names. On the territory of France, the population from ancient times used Celtic (Bridget, Alan-Alen), Greek and Hebrew names (Dion, Eve). The Romans left their generic names (Mark, Valerie) as a «legacy» to the French. And after the German invasion, German names appeared in the name book (Alphonse, Gilbert). In the 18th century, the Catholic Church forbade naming children by names that were not included in the Catholic naming calendar. The choice of a name for French newborns became limited, borrowings ceased.
In modern France, these restrictions have been lifted, and parents are free to choose any name they like for their child. Foreign names became popular again — Tom, Lucas, Sarah. The French are quite warm about Russian names, using them in a short form. Calling a little Frenchwoman Tanya or Sonya is a special chic. How to pronounce a Russian name with a «French pronunciation» in Russia.

Croatian names

Gypsies living in different countries not only preserve their traditions, but also have to adapt to different cultures and languages. This is the reason for the complex system of gypsy names and the history of their origin. In today’s world, every gypsy has an official name and surname, registered in the passport in full accordance with the laws and customs of the country of residence. But along with the official name, it is customary for gypsies to have their own, gypsy, «internal» or «secular» name. «Secular» names can be divided into proper gypsy names, foreign names adapted to gypsy culture, and directly borrowed names from other languages.

Gypsy names

Chechen names

Today, the vast majority of Chechens in choosing a name for a child try to adhere to established traditions. 90% of modern Chechen names are of Arabic origin. At the same time, borrowed Russian and Western names, mostly female ones, sometimes “penetrate” the Chechen name book. Some of them are even a short form of names — Liza, Sasha, Zhenya, Raisa, Tamara, Rosa, Louise, Zhanna.

Scottish names

The history of the origin of Scottish names is like a mosaic. Each period of the difficult, eventful life of the Scottish people has left its mark on the names. The most ancient population of Scotland, the legendary Picts, representatives of the Celtic tribes (Scots and Gaels), Roman conquerors — all of them influenced the composition and meaning of Scottish names.

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CONTENTS ARTICLES :

Old names

Borrowed names

Beautiful Armenian names for girls

Armenian names for boys

The most common Armenian names

What is the most common surname among Armenians?

Armenians are trembling about the tradition of choosing a name for a child. They believe that the meaning of the name affects the fate of a person, his character and lifestyle. Armenian names and surnames are unusually diverse, in the list of names one can find modified Persian, Arabic, Slavic, Jewish and Eastern European names.

Ancient names

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Ancient Armenian names indicate natural phenomena, positive characteristics of a person, names of trees and plants. They have a melodious sound. Lucky names are those associated with the pantheon of pagan gods and mythological subjects.

Anahit — immaculate (the name of the goddess Mother).

Arevik — solar.

Hasmik — jasmine flower.

Vahagn — strong (name of the god of thunder and lightning).

Ward — rosebud.

Hayk is the progenitor of Armenia.

Gekhetsik — beauty.

Mkhitar — consoling.

Payzar — clear, transparent.

Borrowed names

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The invasions of the conquerors, the building of trade relations and the development of religious institutions led to the fact that the list of Armenian names was replenished with exotic borrowings. Names were assigned in the following way:

Orthodox names were borrowed through the spread of religion. Adverbs are based on words from the Hebrew and Latin languages. Over time, some of the Christian names have been transformed beyond recognition due to the peculiarities of Armenian phonetics. For example, Hovhannes (John), Petros (Peter), Movses (Moses).
Arabic and Persian names entered the Armenian language through cultural exchange. Ancient Persian names spread during the period of the Achaemenid dynasty, when Armenia was part of a large Persian empire. For example, Khosrov, Anushavan, Narses, Tigran, Shavarsh are modified Persian names.
In the 19th century, Slavic names penetrated into the Armenian language and adapted to the phonetic system — Valod (Vladimir), Yurik (Yuri), Serzhik (Sergey).
At the end of the 20th century, the borrowing of Western European names began. Popular European names in Armenia are Heinrich, Eduard, Karl, Frunze, Telman, Juliet, Suzanne, Alex.

IT’S INTERESTING! Despite the fact that Armenia lived under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire for a long time, Turkic naming conventions have not been fixed in the Armenian language.

Beautiful Armenian names for girls

Photo: armmuseum.ru

The name for the daughter is chosen beautiful and sensual, its meaning should reflect the modesty, grace and femininity of the bearer. The original female names are long, difficult to pronounce — Tachatui, Parandzem, Vardanush. Modern parents choose shorter and more sonorous options for naming a child.

Aghas is virtuous.

Aghavni is a dove.

Azatui is freedom-loving.

Azniv is honest.

Ayarpi — sunny.

Aikui — pre-dawn.

Alvard — scarlet rose bud.

Almast — impeccable, lunar.

Amalia is hardworking.

Amest — modesty.

Anahit — purity.

Anush is sweetness.

Anushik — morning breath.

Arayika is a messenger.

Araxia is a protector.

Aram is a queen.

Arevik is similar to the sun.

Armaveni is blooming.

Armani is a representative of Armenians.

Arpenik — sunny.

Arpig is a luminary.

Arusyak — luminous.

Aruta — Sunday.

Ashkhen is the sky.

Vaan is pleasant.

Vartuy — spray rose.

Vartukhi is the maiden of flowers.

Vosgi — golden.

Gayane — beauty.

Gekhetskui is beautiful.

Heghine — striving for the light.

Zara — gold, heat.

Zarui — servant of the fire.

Zepur is a breeze.

Imastui is the wisest.

Karene — exultation.

Lusine — lunar.

Makrui — clean.

Manushak — violet flower.

Maral — deer.

Meganush is the sweetness of honey.

Melania is a happy moment.

Nazan is grace.

Naira — freedom.

Nana is the seventh.

Narine is the brightest.

Nune — reverent.

Parandzem — marked by light.

Repsime is the highest laudatory song.

Sate is the truth.

Satenik — amber.

Seda — silk.

Siran is beloved.

Siranush — desirable, beautiful.

Sirvard is the best rose.

Sirun is a beauty.

Srbui — holiness.

Seda is a forest deity.

Takuhi is of royal blood.

Tatevik — following the path of her ancestors.

Hurig is a small flame.

Tsovik is a small lake.

Shagane — decent, blooming.

Shoger is gorgeous.

Shogik is a dazzling beauty.

Shushan — lily flower.

Shoshana is an innocent flower.

Armenian names for boys

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The name for the son is chosen strong, with a noble meaning. It points to positive human qualities and praises the purity of the soul. Previously, the Armenian tradition of naming required parents to choose a name according to the type of family activity or in honor of a well-known representative of the family family.

THIS IS INTERESTING! Armenian male names can be transformed into female names by adding suffixes. For example, Ward — Varduhi, Aremen — Armenui.

Abig is a chanter.

Avanes — forgiven.

Avat is a believer.

Avedis — bringing good news.

Avet is a messenger, a bearer of sacred knowledge.

Avetanush is an evangelist.

Agashi is the lord.

Adrushan is a priest of fire.

Azhdahak — beauty.

Azat is freedom-loving.

Aznaur — honesty.

Hayk — unity.

Haykas — from Armenians.

Airik is the father.

Akper — brother.

Aleksan — defender.

Amayak — spirituality.

Ambartsum — ascending.

Amo is a seeker.

Anania is exceptional.

Andranik — courage.

Antar — forest.

Anushavan — helping.

Apaven — base.

Macaw — nobility.

Arakel — sent by God.

Ararat is the ancient state of Urartu.

Aram is the ancestor of the Aramaeans, who brings peace.

Areg is sunny.

Aren — divine, sunlight.

Arman is a stronghold.

Armen is a great spirit.

Arsen is fateful.

Artavazd is the keeper of true knowledge.

Arout — Sunday.

Arushan is sunny.

Arshavir — heroic

Arshak is like a bear.

Astvatsatur is the messenger of God.

Ashot is hope.

Babken is wise.

Baghdasar is a strong man.

Bagram — happy love.

Barkhudar — reverent.

Vahagn is an all-penetrating flame.

Vagan is the shield of the world.

Wage — endurance.

Wagram — tiger desire.

Vardan — given as a reward.

Vardvan — patriotic.

Vasak — bright eyes.

Wahan — protective.

Vachagan is a fiery speaker.

Vache — literature.

Vigen — power.

Vramshapuh is a blessed promise.

Garnik is a divine sacrifice.

Garsevan — worshiper of fire.

Gaspar — liberating.

Gegham — home.

Grant — Scripture.

Gouram is fun.

David is a beloved son.

Jivan is a bright soul.

Jirair — active.

Draht is heavenly.

Zaven is well-bred.

Zarmair is from a noble family.

Zurab is god-like.

Kamari — sacred love.

Karapet — possessing light.

Kerop — ray.

Kikos — fortitude.

Kohan is a jewel.

Levon is like a lion.

Mamikon is mine.

Markar is the true path.

Martik is warlike.

Melkon — sunrise.

Mkrtich — Baptist.

Mushegh is beautiful.

Nahapet — at the head of the clan.

Nerses — born a hero.

Norayr is a newborn male.

Hovhannes is forgiven.

Hovik is God’s gift.

Ohgan is a flame.

Hovhannes is fire.

Paruyr — luminous.

Parunak is a divine particle.

Petros — stone.

Poghos is a young man.

Razmik is a fighter.

Rachia — to create.

Sahak is powerful.

Sagatel is a sign of power.

Samvel — God heard.

Santur — holiness, light.

Sargis is a natural force.

Saro is strength.

Sasun is life-giving.

Serop is a flying spear.

Suren is similar to a deity.

Tatevos — on the path of the ancestors.

Toros is energetic.

Trdat is a divine gift.

Mustache — early morning.

Harput is a lotus flower.

Khachatur — sent down by Christ.

Khosrow is beneficent.

Shavarsh — solar power.

Shmavon is a connoisseur of peace.

The most common Armenian names , Eva, Elina.

Male: Areg, Harutyun, Ashot, Arman, Hayk, Gor, David, Levon, Narek, Hovhannes, Samvel, Sarkis, Suren, Tigran, Erik.

Universal names: Arshaluys, Ayastan, Erjanik, Nubar.