82 Bulgarian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
From, Rositsa and Elitsa, to Zornitsa, a myriad of options from the Black Sea coast.
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Bulgaria, located in Southeast Europe, has deep historical roots steeped in ancient traditions. As a result, Bulgarian girl names or boy names often date back centuries, linking them to the country's historical figures, folklore, and even its picturesque landscapes. Religion has also played a vital role in shaping Bulgarian names (1). Christianity, particularly Eastern Orthodoxy, is deeply ingrained in Bulgarian culture. Because of this, many names have a religious significance, like Meglena, derived from the biblical Magdalene, or Iliya, the feminine form of Hebrew Elijah. Bulgarian baby names also showcase a distinct gender-specific naming convention integral to the culture. Male names commonly end with -ov, -ev, -ski, or -sky, while female names end with -ova, -eva, -ska, or -ina. This naming custom aids in identifying the gender of the name bearer (2). Traditionally, children were named after older relatives to honor and preserve their family legacy. However, this practice is no longer obligatory in modern times. Instead, other naming customs have emerged, such as naming a child after the parents' best man or maid of honor or the saint whose name day coincides with the child's birth. Bulgarian names have their roots in Slavic, Greek, Latin, or Hebrew cultures, often reflecting the Christian faith. The names might describe a person's appearance or character, convey a wish, or even trace back to pre-Christian conjuring rituals meant to ward off evil spirits. Additionally, some Bulgarian names can be traced back to Thracian origins. Since the Bulgarian National Revival and the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the names of successful medieval Bulgarian rulers have gained popularity. Whether you are drawn to traditional, mythological, or modern names, Bulgarian baby names offer many choices, each reflecting the country's enduring spirit and heritage. Join us on this journey of discovering Bulgarian baby names as we celebrate the beauty of language, culture, and the love that goes into giving a child a name that will accompany them throughout their life.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Daniela |  Girl | God is my judge | |
| Desislava | Girl | Glory; Finding glory | |
| Elena | Girl | Bright one | |
| Gergana | Girl | The one who does plantation and harvesting | |
| Ivan | Girl | Yahweh is gracious | |
| Ivanka | Girl | God is gracious | |
| Maria | Girl | Bitter | |
| Petia | Girl | From Petya; A female variant of Peter; Stone | |
| Rositsa | Girl | Dew drops on a rose flower | |
| Stefan |  Unisex | Crown; Wreath | |
| Yordanka | Girl | To flow | |
| Adyelya | Girl | Bulgarian form of Alice; Nobility | |
| Albena | Girl | A name created by Bulgarian writer Yordan Yovkov for his drama Albena | |
| Anastasiya | Girl | Resurrection | |
| Anelia | Girl | Angel; A form of Angela | |
| Anyanka | Girl | God answered me | |
| Bilyana | Girl | Herb; Bulgarian version of Biljana | |
| Bisera | Girl | Derived from the South Slavic word biser pearl | |
| Blagorodna | Girl | A noble woman | |
| Blaguna | Girl | Feminine form of Blagun, meaning sweet, pleasant of blessed. | |
| Borislava | Girl | Battle glory; Feminine form of Borislav | |
| Boyana | Girl | Bulgarian form of Bojana; Meaning battle | |
| Boyka | Girl | Feminine form of Boyko; Meaning battle | |
| Bozhidara | Girl | Bulgarian feminine form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift | |
| Branimira | Girl | Feminine form of Branimir; Peaceful world | |
| Devora | Girl | Bulgarian form of Deborah; Bee | |
| Donka | Girl | Feminine form of Andon; Priceless | |
| Ekatarina | Girl | They are famous people and happy beings | |
| Elitsa | Girl | A trusted individual; a Fir tree | |
| Emiliya | Girl | To work hard | |
| Evangeliya | Girl | Messenger | |
| Evdokiya | Girl | Good glory | |
| Fidanka | Girl | Bulgarian word for sapling | |
| Grozda | Girl | Grapes; Feminine form of Grozdan | |
| Iakobina | Girl | Bulgarian version of Jaclyn; God will add | |
| Iglika | Girl | Primrose | |
| Iliya | Girl | A feminine form of Elijah; The Lord is my God | |
| Iordanka | Girl | Descendant | |
| Iosefina | Girl | Bulgarian form of Josephine; May Jehovah add | |
| Iskra | Girl | Spark | |
| Ivet | Girl | Bulgarian form of Yvette, Archer | |
| Krasimira | Girl | Feminine form of Krasimir. It means beautiful peace. | |
| Liliya | Girl | Russian cognate of Lily; flower lily | |
| Lyuben | Girl | Love | |
| Lyubov | Girl | Love | |
| Malyna | Girl | A woman sweet as a raspberry | |
| Meglena | Girl | Bulgarian form of Madeline, meaning from Magdala | |
| Mihaila | Girl | Bulgarian form of Michaela, meaning who is like God? | |
| Milenka | Girl | Black | |
| Nedelya | Girl | Sunday in Bulgarian language | |
| Neli | Unisex | Touch; Shining light | |
| Nevena | Girl | Showy yellow or orange flowers | |
| Ognyana | Girl | Fiery | |
| Peninah | Girl | Name of a habitational place | |
| Rabil | Girl | A form of Rachel; Innocence of a lamb | |
| Rada | Girl | Rose: Joy | |
| Radoslava | Girl | Feminine form of Radoslav, eager glory | |
| Rosica | Girl | One who is like a little dew drop | |
| Rossitva | Girl | Rose, rose flower | |
| Rumena | Girl | Feminine form of Rumen; Ruddy or red-cheeked | |
| Rumjana | Girl | A ruddy cheeked girl | |
| Rusa | Girl | A woman from Rutheria region | |
| Ruzha | Girl | Rose | |
| Stoyanka | Girl | To stand or to stay | |
| Temenuzha | Girl | Violet | |
| Temenuzhka | Girl | Violet flower | |
| Todorka | Girl | Bulgarian form of Theodora; Gift of God | |
| Tsveta | Girl | Feminine form of Tsvetan; Flower; Blossom | |
| Tsvetanka | Girl | Flower; Blossom | |
| Varvara | Girl | Foreign; Bulgarian form of Barbara | |
| Vasilka | Girl | Derived from Basil; King | |
| Vessela | Girl | Happy | |
| Viara | Girl | Faith | |
| Viktoriya | Girl | Bulgarian form of Victoria; Victory | |
| Yordana | Girl | To flow down | |
| Zahari | Unisex | God has remembered | |
| Zaharina | Girl | Bulgarian feminine form of Zechariah, meaning the lord has remembered | |
| Zaharinka | Girl | A variant of Zaharina, meaning God remembers | |
| Zhaklina | Girl | God will increase; Bulgarian form of Jacqueline | |
| Zhenya | Girl | Noble | |
| Zhivka | Girl | Life, Alive; Feminine form of Zhivko | |
| Zornitsa | Girl | Morning star | |
Bulgarian baby girl names are a beautiful reflection of the country's rich cultural heritage and traditions. Each name holds unique meanings and historical significance, whether of Slavic, Greek, Latin, or Hebrew origin. Bulgarian naming customs have evolved from honoring family legacies to celebrating saints' name days, embracing tradition and modernity. Embracing Bulgarian baby girl names is a way to honor the past and celebrate your identity and pride in your culture.
Infographic: Enchanting Bulgarian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Embrace the fascinating world of Bulgarian baby girl names, where each name is a tribute to heritage and a beautiful choice for any little girl's future. Whether you prefer traditional or modern names, the rich cultural tapestry of Bulgaria ensures that every option is timeless. So, check out the infographic below and pick your favorite Bulgarian name for your daughter.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Bulgarian name for Sofia?
The Bulgarian name for Sofia is София or Sofiya. It is also the name of Bulgaria's capital which lies near the middle of the Balkans region. Bulgarians stress 'o' while speaking this place's name. The feminine name Sofia is spoken by Bulgarians while stressing the letter' i.'
2. What is the Bulgarian version of Emily?
Emilia and Emiliya are the Bulgarian versions of the feminine name Emily. In German, English, Finnish, and Danish, Emilia is also used for Emily.
3. What is the Bulgarian version of Katherine?
Katerina or Ekaterina are the most common versions of Katherine in Bulgarian. It is also the Macedonian and Albanian versions of Katherine. Ekaterina is also a Russian transcription of Yekaterina.
4. How do Bulgarian baby girl names compare to other Slavic or Eastern European naming traditions?
The Bulgarian naming system is similar to Slavik and Eastern European. Bulgarian names are composed of a given name, which is followed by a patronymic or surname. It's usually omitted when you refer to someone. Lastly, there's a family name. Traditionally, the Bulgarian personal names are either of Slavic roots or Greek. Bulgarian names of Latin and Hebrew origin, such as Petar, Maria, Ivan, Teodora, and Geofi, reflect Christian faith.
5. What are some famous Bulgarian women who have influenced the popularity of certain baby girl names?
Some famous Bulgarian women who may have influenced the popularity of some girl names include Ivanka Khristova, a Bulgarian shot putter who received a gold medal at the 1976 Golden Olympics. Valya Balkanska is another famous folklore singer. Her song, 'Izlel e Delyu Haydutin,' became a part of the Voyager Space Odyssey in 1977. Yet another famous Bulgarian woman is Lily Ivanova, who has been the face of Bulgarian pop music for over five decades and has given more than 10,000 stage performances.
References
- From Traditional to Official Religion: The Legal Status of the Official Religion: The Legal Status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church after 2019.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2188&context=ree - A Guide to Names and Naming Practices.
https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf
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.
