89 Bulgarian Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Gavrail, Radoslav, Tsvetan, and a lot more in the list of charming Balkan names.

Written by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the... more

Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

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 ar... more

Fact-checked by Nisha Bharatan, B.Tech Specialty: Kids Fun and Developmental ActivitiesExperience: 6 years

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing... more

• Sep 6, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Bulgarian boy names represent the rich culture and beautiful landscapes of Bulgaria. Evolved over centuries, these names reflect Bulgaria's diverse heritage, influenced by Slavic, Thracian (1), and Balkan traditions. Bulgaria's geographical attributes also contributed heavily to the naming traditions in the country. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, many of their names are variants of names from other countries indicating their historical interactions. Originating from the Slavic language, many Bulgarian names are inspired by ancient words and concepts. Bogdan, for instance, means ‘gift of God,’ indicating the spiritual inclination of the natives. The Byzantine and Ottoman periods introduced names of Greek and Turkish origins, leading to a fusion of linguistic influences. Nikolay meaning ‘victory of the people,’ and Ivan meaning ‘God is gracious’, reflect the strong Eastern Orthodox Christian influence, while Hristo meaning ‘bearing Christ,’ stems from the Greek Christopher. The evolution of Bulgarian names also showcases a fusion of old and new names. These names can be seen as a connecting link between the glorious past and the intriguing present. Even though modern names are popular in the country, names such as Aleksandar and Viktor are also still popular choices among millennial parents. These names honor ancestral roots and parents’ hopes for their child’s bright future. Bulgarian names provide a sense of individuality and a sense of belonging in a community that the child may cherish as they grow older. Choosing a Bulgarian boy name is perfect for parents who wish to preserve their Bulgarian roots or their love for the country. These names represent the country’s cultural evolution through time. From ancient origins to modern identity, they connect children to their roots and carry forward the nation's diverse heritage. Here is a list of Bulgarian baby boy names with meanings to help you pick the most versatile and meaningful name for your child. Read on.

‹

›

Name	Gender	Meaning
Aleksandur	Boy	Bulgarian version of Alexander; Defender of mankind
Dimitar	Boy	A female variant of Demetrius, Mother or earth mother
Georgi	Boy	Bulgarian accent of George; Farmer
Hristo	Boy	Bearing Christ
Nikolay	Boy	The triumph of the public
Penka	Boy	The one from an enclosed meadow
Petar	Boy	Rock; Stone; A variant of Pero; A form of Peter
Stefan	Unisex	Crown; Wreath
Vasil	Boy	Derived from Basil; King
Yordan	Boy	Descent; Flow down

Anastasiy	Boy	Bulgarian form of Anastasius; To resurrect
Andrey	Boy	A born warrior; One who is manly and brave
Asen	Boy	Name of a Bulgarian king
Atanas	Boy	A person who is immortal
Benesj	Boy	Blessed soul; One who is blessed by the Almighty
Blagoy	Boy	One who is sweet, pleasant, blessed
Blagun	Boy	Sweet, pleasant, blessed; Derived from Slavic word blag
Bojidar	Boy	Variant transcription of Bozhidar, meaning divine gift.
Borislaw	Boy	A variant of Borislav, meaning famous battle
Borka	Boy	He is a good fighter

Boyan	Boy	a warrior or fighter
Boyko	Boy	To be afraid of; Battle
Bozhidar	Boy	Bulgarian form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift
Bozidar	Boy	A divine gift; Derivation of the Greek name Theodore
Chavdar	Boy	Derived from a Persian word meaning leader; Dignitary
Damyan	Boy	One who tames
Darian	Boy	Possessing goodness
Desislav	Boy	Finding glory; Searching for glory
Deyan	Boy	Divine, Gifted, Leader
Dimitur	Boy	Variation of Demeter; Earth

Doncho	Boy	Bulgarian form of Andon; Priceless
Gavrail	Boy	God is my strength
Grozdan	Boy	A strong man who will shine; A shiny star
Haralambi	Boy	Bulgarian form of Charalampos; To shine with happiness
Hristofor	Boy	Carrier of Christ
Iassen	Boy	Ash tree
Iavor	Boy	Sycamore
Ilarion	Boy	Bulgarian form of Hilarion; Happy
Iliyan	Boy	Gifted, intelligent, charming
Iordan	Boy	Descend; Flowing down

Ivailo	Boy	Variant transcription of Ivaylo; Wolf
Kaloyan	Boy	Handsome John
Kamen	Boy	Stone
Khristo	Boy	Bulgarian variant of Christian, meaning follower of Christ
Kosta	Boy	Bulgarian diminutive of Konstantin; Constant
Kostadin	Boy	Bulgarian variant of Constantine, meaning constant.
Krasimir	Boy	Krasimir means The Beautiful Peace
Krastio	Boy	Variant transcription of Krastyo. It means cross.
Lyubomir	Boy	Form of Lubomir; Loving; World
Mitre	Boy	Earth

Momchil	Boy	Derived from the Bulgarian word momche, meaning boy
Natanail	Boy	Bulgarian form of Nathanael; God-given
Nayden	Boy	Something found; The name of a saint
Nedelcho	Boy	Sunday in Bulgarian language
Neli	Unisex	Touch; Shining light
Neofit	Boy	Bulgarian form of Neophytos meaning newly planted
Nikifor	Boy	Bulgarian form of Nicephorus; Bringer of victory
Ognian	Boy	Fiery
Ognyan	Boy	Fiery
Penko	Boy	Bulgarian diminutive of Peter; Rock

Prodan	Boy	Sold or pledged to a monastery
Radimir	Boy	Joyful; Peace
Radoslav	Boy	Glorious work or eager glory
Rayko	Boy	A variant of Radko, meaning happy or willing
Rayno	Boy	A variant of Radko, meaning happy or willing
Rumen	Boy	A boy whose cheeks are ruddy and red
Sasho	Boy	Bulgarian diminutive of Alexander; Defender of mankind
Spas	Boy	Derived from the Bulgarian word spasen meaning saved
Stanko	Boy	Diminutive of Stanislav, meaning to stand with glory
Stoian	Boy	Stay or remain; One who stands firmly

Stoyan	Boy	He who stands firmly
Tase	Boy	One who is immortal
Teodor	Boy	A gift of god
Tihomir	Boy	Quiet; Peace
Timotei	Boy	A person who honors God
Todor	Boy	A beautiful and pleasant gift from God
Tsvetan	Boy	Color; Floret
Valko	Boy	Wolf
Vassil	Boy	Kingly; Princely
Velyo	Boy	Great or greatness

Veselin	Boy	Cheerful; Happy soul
Vladislav	Boy	Glorious rule or a glorious ruler
Yan	Boy	Beautiful; Gorgeous
Yasen	Boy	Ash tree
Yavor	Boy	Maple tree
Yosif	Boy	He will add
Zahari	Unisex	God has remembered
Zdravko	Boy	Healthy
Zhelyazko	Boy	Iron; Derived from Bulgarian Zhelyazo

With Slavic roots, Bulgarian boy names are a fusion of tradition and modernity. These names carry forward a rich legacy of the country and represent the nation’s culture. Bulgarian names are also inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of the country. They may have evolved over time but have not lost the essence unique to Bulgarian traditions. Every name is attached to historical threads that bind generations and cultures. So pick a Bulgarian baby name that catches your fancy and give your child the perfect gift for a lifetime.

Infographic: Authentic Bulgarian Names For Boys

A blend of Slavic, Turkish, and Greek influences, Bulgarian boy names are rich in history and culture. Choosing a Bulgarian name for a child preserves the country’s tradition and connects the child to their culture. Parents also opt for these names for their unique pronunciation and strong meanings. The infographic below can help you choose from some traditional and modern Bulgarian names.

traditional and modern bulgarian names for boys (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do Bulgarians have three names?

Bulgarian names typically include a given name, which is placed first, a patronymic placed second, and a family name placed last. However, the patronymic name is typically left out when speaking about the individual.

2. Are Bulgarian last names gendered?

Yes, Bulgarian last names are gendered. In Bulgarian culture, most last names have distinct male and female variants. The suffixes '-ov' and '-ski' are frequently used for male last names, but for female last names, the suffixes "-ova" and "-ska" are used. If a man had the last name Ivanov, the female equivalent would have the last name Ivanova.

3. Are there any Bulgarian baby boy names that are also popular in other countries?

Some Bulgarian baby boy names popular in other countries include Ivan, Dimitar, Georgi, Nikola, and Stefan.

4. What is the significance of middle names in Bulgarian culture?

In the Bulgarian naming convention, a person's middle name, second name, or patronymic/father's name is special. They indicate the individual's genealogy and are taken from the given name of the individual's father.

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.

Thracian Non-Material Heritage.
https://ancientbulgaria.bg/thracian/thracian-non-material-heritage

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.