In the second century, Dacia, known as Romania today, became a Roman province. This change led to the evolution of the Romanian language, a mix of Latin and native tongues that gave rise to many Romanian baby names. The Germans, Bulgarians, and Slavic also left their mark on the Romanian language after they attempted invasion. These events resulted in a rich legacy of language, reflected in the different cultural groups. Just like the language, even Romanian names have a variety of origins – Slavic, Latin, German, Greek, Hungarian, and names of neighboring countries. Romanian baby names offer an intriguing fusion of Eastern European tradition and contemporary originality. They are steeped in history and rich in cultural significance. Owing to the historical connection with the Roman era, many of the nation's naming practices draw inspiration from Latin roots, historic Romanian mythology, Christian beliefs, and Slavic traditions. Since Romania has a massive population of Catholics, some names are an inspiration from Bible, saints, and historical figures. A Romanian name consists of a given name and a surname. The baby's parents usually choose the given name or names. For more than one given name, the first is usually used by the family members, and the second is used solely on official documents. A Romanian baby boy's name ends in a consonant or vowel except for 'a.' And the female baby names end mostly in 'a.' Although it is not customary to have a middle name, two given names may occasionally be used. A grandparent's name is preferred in some rural areas to preserve the lineage. Romanian family names traditionally use patronymic rules and the suffixes -escu and -eanu. The son of Petre, for instance, might get the last name Petrescu (son of Petre) (1). Given below is an exhaustive collection of Romanian baby names with their meanings, trendy in Romania and other parts of the world.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Viorica | Girl | Romanian form of the name Friederike; Tranquil leader | |
Virgiliu | Boy | Romanian form of Virgilius; Flourishing | |
Virginia | Girl | A virgin | |
Viviana | Girl | One who is lively | |
Vlad | Boy | Rule | |
Voctorita | Girl | Victory; Romanian variant of Victoria | |
Wadim | Boy | Romanian form of Vadim; Knowing one | |
Waleis | Girl | One belonging from Wales | |
Wanetta | Girl | A pale and fair woman | |
Willa | Girl | Resolute protection | |
Withypoll | Girl | The twig head | |
Wodeleah | Unisex | One from the wooded meadow | |
Yedda | Girl | A woman with a beautiful voice | |
Yessenia | Girl | Palm tree | |
Yetta | Girl | A generous woman | |
Ylenia | Girl | Light | |
Zabrina | Girl | A form of Sabrina, meaning princess | |
Zaharia | Boy | Moon | |
Zandra | Girl | A variant of Alizandra, meaning defender of humankind | |
Zelma | Girl | Protected by God | |
Zenobia | Girl | Force of Jews | |
Zenovia | Girl | Life of Zeus | |
Zerenity | Girl | Calm | |
Zina | Girl | A welcoming and hospitable woman |
Romanian baby names highlight elements from Latin, Greek, German, Hungarian, and Slavic origins, reflecting the rich fabric of Romanian history. Romanian names often represent mythological inference, ancestry, lineage, and aspirational goals, which are significant to a person's sense of self and family relationships. While religious and historical personalities inspire some names, others reflect the deep ancestral family ties surrounding them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a typical Romanian name?
A typical Romanian name is influenced not only by the Latin origins of the country but also by the influences from the Slavic, Hungarian, and Turkish culture. Some typical Romanian names are Alexandru (meaning ‘defending men’), Adrian (meaning ‘from Hadria’), Maria (meaning ‘beloved’), and Gabriela (meaning ‘God is my strong man’).
2. What is the Romanian name for Lily?
Names like Crina, Lăcrămioara, Lillian, Liliana, and Liana are some names that mean lily in Romanian. They are as lovely and enchanting as the flower.
3. What is a common Romanian gypsy name?
The Roma people of Romania are called Gypsies' and as such, these names should be treated with respect and sensitivity (2). Some of the common gypsy names are Ionuț (Yahweh is gracious), Marian (male), Vasile (king), Elena (torch), Ana (favor, grace), and Daniela (God is my judge).
4. Which names mean angel in Romanian?
Names like Angela, Angelica, and Anghel mean ‘angel’ in Romanian. These are derived from the Romanian word for angel, înger. Other names like Gabriela and Mihaela are also Romanian names that are derived from the names of angels in the Bible.
5. Which Romanian names mean brave?
Romanian baby names like Amalia, derived from the element amal meaning ‘brave;’ Decebal, a Dacian name meaning ‘powerful and brave;’ and Leonard, meaning ‘brave lion’ are some examples of names meaning brave.
6. Are there any traditional Romanian baby names with strong meanings?
Some traditional Romanian baby names are Vlad meaning ‘rule’ or ‘glory,’ Ștefan meaning ‘crown’ or ‘wreath,’ Adriana meaning ‘from Hadria,’ and Irina meaning ‘peace.’ These names are timeless and considered to be modern classics.
Infographic: Remarkable Romanian Baby Names With Meanings
Romanian baby names have historical and cultural ties with Latin, Greek, German, Hungarian, and Slavic traditions. These names also represent historical mythology, Christian beliefs, and familial ancestry. Romanian names serve as personal identification tools and symbols of the nation's rich historical and cultural heritage. Continue reading the infographic to sample a few Romanian baby names and their meanings.
References
- Romanian Culture.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/romanian-culture/romanian-culture-naming - The Social Situation.
https://books.openedition.org/ceup/1555?lang=en#tocfrom1n1