152 Exotic Bulgarian Baby Names

Names are a lot like humans. Even they come into being, live their life, and then die. In the enchanting tapestry of diverse cultures, Bulgarian baby names stand out for their rich historical significance and unique linguistic charm. Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria boasts a fascinating amalgamation of influences from Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, Persian, and other ancient civilizations, resulting in a captivating array of names that reflect both its heritage and contemporary ethos. The trend has changed significantly now. Bulgarian given or personal names today are taken from a variety of sources. Greek, Latin, Biblical, Slavic and Protobulgarian names are found abundantly among the population, with various regional pronunciations and varieties. So names are associated with a saint’s day or Eastern Orthodox holiday. Babies in Bulgaria are named after older relatives, grandparents more often and rarely after their fathers. Some children acquire their grandfather's name as a surname instead of the customary family surname, which results in the loss of the family name. According to the Bulgarian naming custom, it is customary for the eldest son to be named after his grandfather. Moreover, it is a tradition for wives to take on their husband’s family name with a feminine ending (1). In the earlier times, when there was a shortage of single names, babies were given a personal name and the father’s name, with the possessive suffix –ov. But as time went by, even this distinction was not enough. Since then, the family name was borrowed from a family patriarch or from a trade or profession for which the family was known. Bulgarian names vary according to a specific gender, so the suffix of the family name used will change as per the gender. We have got you covered if you are looking for a Bulgarian baby name. Pick your favorites from the list, consult your spouse, and pick an ultimate Bulgarian name for your child.

NameGenderMeaning
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Maria
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
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Daniela
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my judge
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Ivanka
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Andrey
Baby Boy Sign Boy A born warrior; One who is manly and brave
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Devora
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Deborah; Bee
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Teodor
Baby Boy Sign Boy A gift of god
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Yan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beautiful; Gorgeous
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Nikolay
Baby Boy Sign Boy The triumph of the public
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Anastasiya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Resurrection
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Vladislav
Baby Boy Sign Boy Glorious rule or a glorious ruler
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Boyan
Baby Boy Sign Boy a warrior or fighter
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Liliya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Russian cognate of Lily; flower lily
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Anelia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Angel; A form of Angela
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Neli
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Touch; Shining light
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Yosif
Baby Boy Sign Boy He will add
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Yordan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Descent; Flow down
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Rada
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rose: Joy
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Damyan
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who tames
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Deyan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Divine, Gifted, Leader
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Dimitar
Baby Boy Sign Boy A female variant of Demetrius, Mother or earth mother
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Kamen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone
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Iliya
Baby Girl Sign Girl A feminine form of Elijah; The Lord is my God
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Nayden
Baby Boy Sign Boy Something found; The name of a saint
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Yasen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ash tree
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Viara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Faith
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Emiliya
Baby Girl Sign Girl To work hard
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Georgi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian accent of George; Farmer
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Hristo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bearing Christ
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Malyna
Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman sweet as a raspberry
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Iliyan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gifted, intelligent, charming
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Ivan
Baby Girl Sign Girl Yahweh is gracious
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Ivet
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Yvette, Archer
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Nevena
Baby Girl Sign Girl Showy yellow or orange flowers
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Viktoriya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Victoria; Victory
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Iskra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Spark
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Zhenya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble
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Lyubov
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love
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Atanas
Baby Boy Sign Boy A person who is immortal
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Borka
Baby Boy Sign Boy He is a good fighter
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Bozidar
Baby Boy Sign Boy A divine gift; Derivation of the Greek name Theodore
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Ekatarina
Baby Girl Sign Girl They are famous people and happy beings
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Elitsa
Baby Girl Sign Girl A trusted individual; a Fir tree
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Gergana
Baby Girl Sign Girl The one who does plantation and harvesting
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Grozdan
Baby Boy Sign Boy A strong man who will shine; A shiny star
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Krasimir
Baby Boy Sign Boy Krasimir means The Beautiful Peace
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Peninah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Name of a habitational place
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Penka
Baby Boy Sign Boy The one from an enclosed meadow
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Rosica
Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is like a little dew drop
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Rositsa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dew drops on a rose flower
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Rumen
Baby Boy Sign Boy A boy whose cheeks are ruddy and red
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Rumjana
Baby Girl Sign Girl A ruddy cheeked girl
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Rusa
Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman from Rutheria region
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Stefan
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Crown; Wreath
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Stoyan
Baby Boy Sign Boy He who stands firmly
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Timotei
Baby Boy Sign Boy A person who honors God
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Todor
Baby Boy Sign Boy A beautiful and pleasant gift from God
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Tsvetan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Color; Floret
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Yavor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Maple tree
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Adyelya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Alice; Nobility
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Albena
Baby Girl Sign Girl A name created by Bulgarian writer Yordan Yovkov for his drama Albena
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Anastasiy
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Anastasius; To resurrect
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Asen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of a Bulgarian king
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Benesj
Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed soul; One who is blessed by the Almighty
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Bilyana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Herb; Bulgarian version of Biljana
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Bisera
Baby Girl Sign Girl Derived from the South Slavic word biser pearl
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Blagorodna
Baby Girl Sign Girl A noble woman
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Blagoy
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is sweet, pleasant, blessed
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Blagun
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sweet, pleasant, blessed; Derived from Slavic word blag
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Blaguna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Blagun, meaning sweet, pleasant of blessed.
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Bojidar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant transcription of Bozhidar, meaning divine gift.
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Borislava
Baby Girl Sign Girl Battle glory; Feminine form of Borislav
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Borislaw
Baby Boy Sign Boy A variant of Borislav, meaning famous battle
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Boyana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Bojana; Meaning battle
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Boyka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Boyko; Meaning battle
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Boyko
Baby Boy Sign Boy To be afraid of; Battle
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Bozhidar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift
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Bozhidara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian feminine form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift
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Branimira
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Branimir; Peaceful world
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Chavdar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Derived from a Persian word meaning leader; Dignitary
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Desislav
Baby Boy Sign Boy Finding glory; Searching for glory
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Desislava
Baby Girl Sign Girl Glory; Finding glory
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Dimitur
Baby Boy Sign Boy Variation of Demeter; Earth
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Doncho
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Andon; Priceless
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Donka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Andon; Priceless
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Evdokiya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Good glory
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Fidanka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian word for sapling
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Gavrail
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my strength
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Grozda
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grapes; Feminine form of Grozdan
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Iakobina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian version of Jaclyn; God will add
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Iassen
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ash tree
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Iavor
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sycamore
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Iglika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Primrose
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Ilarion
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Hilarion; Happy
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Iordan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Descend; Flowing down
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Iordanka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Descendant
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Iosefina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Josephine; May Jehovah add
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Ivailo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant transcription of Ivaylo; Wolf
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Khristo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian variant of Christian, meaning follower of Christ
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Kostadin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian variant of Constantine, meaning constant.
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Krasimira
Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Krasimir. It means beautiful peace.
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With a blend of traditional and modern choices, Bulgarian baby names provide a glimpse into the country's evolving social dynamics. These names carry a sense of belonging to the country’s rich heritage, fostering a strong connection between generations. Choosing a Bulgarian name for a child is a thoughtful nod to a captivating and storied past, as its baby names serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people, honoring tradition while embracing the future.

Infographic: Impressive Bulgarian Baby Names To Delight You

Bulgarian names often are a fusion of various Slavic languages. Whether rooted in tradition or innovation, Bulgarian names encapsulate the nation's spirit, echoing through generations as a celebration of heritage and individuality. If your quest for a powerful and significant Bulgarian name is still ongoing, this infographic can be the right guide for you.

culturally significant bulgarian baby names (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some traditional naming customs or practices in Bulgarian culture?

In Bulgaria, the given name is typically placed first, followed by the patronymic, which is usually omitted when referring to the individual, and the family name. Additionally, Bulgarian names are often of Slavic origin. However, when they refer to Christians, it comes from Greek, Latin, or Hebrew.

2. What Bulgarian name means light?

Svetlina, Svetlana, Svetla, and Elena are some Bulgarian names meaning ‘light.’

3. What name means wolf in Bulgarian?

Some Bulgarian names that reflect the meaning of wolf include Ivaylo, Ivailo, and Ivalya.

4. Is Katerina a Bulgarian name?

Yes, Katerina is a Bulgarian feminine name derived from Katherine, which originates in the Greek Aikaterine (Greek goddess Hecate), meaning ‘purity.’

5. What does Mishka mean in Bulgarian?

The direct translation of Mishka in Bulgarian is ‘a mouse.’ However, Mishka as a diminutive of the Russian names Mikhail or Michael means ‘who is like a god.’

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. A Guide to Name and Naming Practices
    https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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