Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ognyan |  |  Boy | Fiery |
| Ognyana | |  Girl | Fiery |
| Peninah | | Girl | Name of a habitational place |
| Penka | | Boy | The one from an enclosed meadow |
| Penko | | Boy | Bulgarian diminutive of Peter; Rock |
| Petar | | Boy | Rock; Stone; A variant of Pero; A form of Peter |
| Petia | | Girl | From Petya; A female variant of Peter; Stone |
| Prodan | | Boy | Sold or pledged to a monastery |
| Rabil | | Girl | A form of Rachel; Innocence of a lamb |
| Rada | | Girl | Rose: Joy |
| Radimir | | Boy | Joyful; Peace |
| Radoslav | | Boy | Glorious work or eager glory |
| Radoslava | | Girl | Feminine form of Radoslav, eager glory |
| Rayko | | Boy | A variant of Radko, meaning happy or willing |
| Rayno | | Boy | A variant of Radko, meaning happy or willing |
| Rosica | | Girl | One who is like a little dew drop |
| Rositsa | | Girl | Dew drops on a rose flower |
| Rossitva | | Girl | Rose, rose flower |
| Rumen | | Boy | A boy whose cheeks are ruddy and red |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Stefan | |  Unisex | Crown; Wreath |
| Stoian | | Boy | Stay or remain; One who stands firmly |
| Stoyan | | Boy | He who stands firmly |
| Stoyanka | | Girl | To stand or to stay |
| Tase | | Boy | One who is immortal |
| Temenuzha | | Girl | Violet |
| Temenuzhka | | Girl | Violet flower |
| 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 |
| Todorka | | Girl | Bulgarian form of Theodora; Gift of God |
| Tsveta | | Girl | Feminine form of Tsvetan; Flower; Blossom |
| Tsvetan | | Boy | Color; Floret |
| Tsvetanka | | Girl | Flower; Blossom |
| Valko | | Boy | Wolf |
| Varvara | | Girl | Foreign; Bulgarian form of Barbara |
| Vasil | | Boy | Derived from Basil; King |
| Vasilka | | Girl | Derived from Basil; King |
| Vassil | | Boy | Kingly; Princely |
| Velyo | | Boy | Great or greatness |
| Veselin | | Boy | Cheerful; Happy soul |
| Vessela | | Girl | Happy |
| Viara | | Girl | Faith |
| Viktoriya | | Girl | Bulgarian form of Victoria; Victory |
| Vladislav | | Boy | Glorious rule or a glorious ruler |
| Yan | | Boy | Beautiful; Gorgeous |
| Yasen | | Boy | Ash tree |
| Yavor | | Boy | Maple tree |
| Yordan | | Boy | Descent; Flow down |
| Yordana | | Girl | To flow down |
| Yordanka | | Girl | To flow |
| Yosif | | Boy | He will add |
| 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 |
| Zdravko | | Boy | Healthy |
| Zhaklina | | Girl | God will increase; Bulgarian form of Jacqueline |
| Zhelyazko | | Boy | Iron; Derived from Bulgarian Zhelyazo |
| Zhenya | | Girl | Noble |
| Zhivka | | Girl | Life, Alive; Feminine form of Zhivko |
| Zornitsa | | Girl | Morning star |
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.
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
- A Guide to Name and Naming Practices
https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf
