162 Bosnian Baby Names With Meanings

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Bosnia is a multiethnic, multicultural, and multinational country; the diversity is also mirrored in the Bosnian baby names. Bosnian, a South Slavic language, is the official language of both Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Serbian and Croatian (1). It’s the uniform version of the Croatian-Serbian language. The language comprises Cyrillic and Latin alphabets and has a few Persian, Arabic, and Turkish words in the lexicon. This is primarily due to Bosnian people’s interaction and friendship with these cultures. And this is the reason Turkish, Arabic, and Persian names are used widely in Bosnia. In Bosnia, it’s a common tradition to put the family name first and then the given name. This way of naming is popular among Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, showing how much they value their family connections. You might also notice that many last names end with ‘-ić,’ and some even have ‘-begović’ (2). These endings bring a touch of history to the names, showing the long stories behind them. In Bosnia, last names are often passed down from dads to sons. As a result, it’s common for sons to bear their father’s surname, maintaining a strong link to their family line. After marriage, it’s typical for wives to use their husband’s surnames. This gives the family a sense of belonging and a shared identity (2). Furthermore, the first name or personal name of Bosnians often, but not always, tells about the background and culture of the individual. Bosnian Muslims typically give their children personal names and derivations of the original Arabic name. They also pay extreme importance to the meaning of the name because it has been made clear in the Hadith to pick only beautiful and good names for children. Similarly, Christians and Hebrews residing in Bosnia pick names derived from the Bible, Torah, and Old Testament. If you need help selecting an ideal Bosnian baby name for your child, look at our list below. We’ve handpicked some of the best Bosnian names for boys and girls. Take a look.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Refika	Girl	Friend; Companion
Reihan	Boy	Variant of Rejhan, meaning basil plant
Rejhan	Boy	Basil plant
Rejhana	Girl	A version of Rihanna, meaning basil plant
Remzija	Boy	Allegoric, symbolic speech
Reuf	Boy	Very merciful
Rijad	Boy	Desert gardens
Sabghta	Boy	Color given by Allah; True faith
Sadeta	Girl	Felicity; Fortune; Joy
Safan	Boy	He who is brave, bold, and courageous

Safet	Boy	The best part; Pure
Safeta	Girl	Clean; Pure
Safija	Girl	Bosnian form of Safiya; Clean; Pure
Sajra	Girl	A form of Sara; Princess
Sakiba	Girl	One who is sharp-minded
Samija	Girl	Elevated; High
Samra	Girl	One who is dark or dark-skinned
Sead	Boy	Fortunate; Happy
Sejad	Boy	Fortunate; Happy
Selver	Boy	Lord; Chief

Selveta	Girl	Comfort; Consolation
Senad	Boy	Leader; Experienced
Senadin	Boy	Glow of faith; Majesty of faith
Senadina	Girl	Glow of faith
Slava	Boy	Glory
Stas	Boy	Becoming famous
Suada	Boy	Conviction
Subhija	Girl	Dawn or early bird
Sulejman	Boy	Variant of Solomon; Peace
Sulio	Boy	A charming and graceful man

Suljo	Boy	Peace
Svante	Boy	Celebrating people
Svyatopolk	Boy	Celebrating people
Tarik	Boy	Morning star
Teufik	Boy	To be successful or have good fortune
Tevhida	Girl	Belief in God’s oneness
Umihana	Girl	Mother of Hani
Un-Nefer	Boy	God of the dead
Uzeir	Boy	He who helps
Vadim	Boy	Ruler

Vahid	Boy	Single; One
Vahida	Girl	Single; One
Vedad	Boy	Affection or love
Velid	Boy	Newborn
Vildana	Girl	Children
Volodya	Boy	Ruler of the world
Vova	Boy	Ruler of the world
Waaiz	Boy	Preacher; Advisor
Warqah	Boy	A dignitary in the Quran
Wasifah	Girl	One who describes

Wejah	Girl	She who practices purdah
Wuhaib	Boy	A gift; Present
Yaromir	Boy	Man of peace
Yaroslava	Girl	Spring glory
Zahida	Girl	She who is restrained; Devoted to God
Zehra	Girl	Bright, luminous
Zenaida	Boy	Life of Zeus
Zerin	Boy	Golden
Zijad	Boy	Light of faith
Zineta	Girl	Jewelry, decoration

Zulfikar	Boy	Name of the legendary sword of Ali
Zunich	Boy	Woodpecker

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Bosnian baby names serve as a reminder of the beauty that lies in preserving and respecting one’s roots in a world where ethnic fusion is becoming more popular. Names like Azem, Basich, and Tarik function as cultural and traditional identities enabling parents to pass on a piece of their legacy to the next generation. First names serve as cultural signs, while family names reflect an honored heritage, creating names rich in legacy. The naming system in Bosnia is a window to unity, an intersection of religion and the whispered stories of ancestors.

Infographic: Beautiful Bosnian Baby Names That You Will Love

These names, embedded in Bosnia's rich and diverse history, convey power, unity, and originality. Bosnian naming conventions are more than just labels; they represent a harmonious fusion of faith, culture, and language. Explore our selected list of Bosnian baby names if you're looking for a name that's more than just a label - a name that's a legacy.

cultural and meaningful bosnian baby names (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Bosnian naming customs?

In Bosnia, the family name usually comes before the personal given name. An example is KAČIĆ Ivan. This convention is followed by Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs. Surnames can have the suffix ‘-ić,' while family names can end in ‘-begović’. The last names are usually passed through the male side of the family.

2. What is the process of naming a child with a Bosnian name, and what factors are typically considered?

Many family names in Bosnia have the surname suffix -ić. They are commonly -ević or -ović. These names can end in -begović. Bosnian names can indicate ethnicity. For example, MUSTAFAGIĆ has the Islamic component ‘Mustafa’. hadj or bey are some Bosnian names that show Islamic or Turkish roots (3).

References

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