Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Do you know what's common between Warsaw, Pope John Paul II, and Kielbasa? All of them are Polish. Polish baby names are deeply rooted in Polish culture and are a fusion of Slavic and Christian traditions. Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe. Hence, many Polish names have religious significance. These names have a profound etymology and beautiful pronunciation, things that parents look for in an ideal baby name.
Polish personal names consist of two elements - the given or first name, followed by the surname, last name, or family name (1). And you cannot just pick and use any name you like. Naming customs in Poland are influenced by three key factors: Church regulations, civil laws, and long-standing traditions. Additionally, family practices and individual preferences play a role. Ensuring that the name aligns with the baby's gender is of utmost importance in Polish naming conventions. Hence, the majority of female names conclude with the vowel- a (1), while male names usually end with consonants or other vowels, except- a. Nonetheless, there are a few deviations from this pattern. For instance, Maria, conventionally a name for girls, is sometimes used as a middle or second name for boys. Similarly, a handful of less common and old names like Boryna, Kuba, Barnaba, and Jarema, also conclude with the letter -a.
In Poland, children are typically given one or two names, as the law allows a maximum of two registered names. While most of the population is Catholic, adopting a saint's name as an informal third name during confirmation is common although it doesn't hold legal weight. Traditionally, parents select names with origins in Christianity, including Biblical and saint names, as well as Slavic names with roots in pre-Christian times. Below is a list of unique, popular, traditional, and latest Polish names with meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Gertrud |  |  Boy | Who holds a spear for hunting |
| Gertruda | |  Girl | The person who is having power as a sharp as a spear |
| Gizela | | Girl | Plegde; Oath |
| Gosia | | Girl | Pearl |
| Hainrich | | Boy | Ruler of a place; Home ruler |
| Halinka | | Girl | Calm; Peaceful |
| Hanna | | Girl | Favor; Grace; God is gracious |
| Heca | | Girl | A woman of many affairs |
| Henio | | Boy | Little ruler of the estate |
| Henryka | | Girl | Ruler of enclosure; Home ruler |
| Holleb | | Boy | Dove |
| Jacek | | Boy | Like a hyacinth flower |
| Jadwiga | | Girl | One who is a war refuge |
| Jagienka | | Girl | Lamb of God; Diminutive of Agnieszka; A variant form of Agnes |
| Jakub | | Boy | Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect |
| Jan | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Jannalee | | Girl | Wife of Janus |
| Jannina | | Girl | Yahweh is gracious |
| Januarius | | Boy | One who is born in January |
| Janusz | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Jasek | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Jazon | | Boy | One who gives medication in order to get well soon |
| Jedrek | |  Unisex | Strong, powerful, leader |
| Jedrick | | Boy | Man or soldier; A strong Man |
| Jedrzej | | Boy | A manly warrior; Brave |
| Jeny | | Boy | Farmer who owns a paddy field |
| Jerzy | | Boy | Farmer; Earthworker |
| Jezyk | | Boy | Tongue; Taste giver |
| Jolanka | | Girl | Derivative of Jolan; Good girl; Violet blossom |
| Jolanta | | Girl | Violet |
| Julia | | Girl | Downy-bearded; Youthful; Descended from Jove or Jupiter; Supreme God; God's peace for the weary |
| Juliste | | Unisex | A name with strong spirit |
| Jurek | | Boy | Farmer; Earthworker; A variant form of the English George |
| Kacper | | Boy | Treasurer |
| Kaleena | | Girl | A flower |
| Kalena | | Girl | Pure |
| Kalene | | Girl | A flower |
| Kania | | Unisex | Wild goose |
| Karolin | | Girl | Free man |
| Katrine | | Girl | True; Natural |
| Kaz | | Boy | Beloved; Peacemaker; Empty |
| Kazandra | | Girl | To shine and excel |
| Kazimiera | | Girl | The peace destroyer |
| Kazimierz | | Boy | To destroy the peace and the world |
| Klaudia | | Girl | Crippled |
| Klemens | | Boy | Merciful |
| Kornel | | Boy | A man with horns |
| Kortez | | Unisex | Courteous; Polite |
| Krysia | | Girl | The name means of Christian Faith |
| Krysta | | Girl | Kysta means She is a Christian |
| Krysztof | | Boy | The name means He carries Christ in his Heart |
| Krzy | | Boy | Christ or the follower of Christ, short form of Christopher |
| Krzysztof | | Boy | Bearing Christ |
| Ksenia | | Girl | Hospitality |
| Kuba | | Boy | Supplanter |
| Lanceor | | Boy | One who holds a spear in battle |
| Lazor | | Boy | God has helped |
| Lena | | Girl | Torch; Bright shining light |
| Leszek | | Boy | From the name of the Slavic tribe; The name of the founder of Polish people |
| Lidia | | Girl | A person who is from Lydia |
| Lila | | Girl | Playful; Dark beauty |
| Lilka | | Girl | Name of a flower; Polish for name Lily |
| Liuz | | Boy | A person whose inner light shines bright |
| Lizann | | Girl | An ornament that shines bright |
| Longin | | Boy | Long |
| Luboslaw | | Boy | He who loved the glory |
| Lucja | | Girl | Name describing light |
| Lucyna | | Boy | Light; Bright |
| Ludwik | | Boy | Brave; Famous warrior |
| Ludwika | | Girl | A brilliant warrior |
| Luisa | | Girl | Famous warrior |
| Luiz | | Boy | A warrior of fame |
| Luvyna | | Girl | A person with a bright mind |
| Magdalena | | Boy | Of Magdala |
| Maja | | Girl | She who is splendid |
| Maksymilian | | Boy | The greatest man |
| Malgorzata | | Girl | Pearl |
| Mandek | | Boy | A warrior |
| Manina | | Girl | A woman who is like a war |
| Manka | | Girl | A bitter and sorrowful sea |
| Marceli | | Boy | Who is like the God Mars |
| Marcin | | Boy | A servant of Mars, the God of war |
| Marek | | Boy | To be warlike |
| Margita | | Girl | A name for pearl |
| Maria | | Girl | Bitter |
| Marika | | Girl | A restless, rebellious woman |
| Marike | | Girl | A girl with a restless heart |
| Marjon | | Girl | Bitter |
| Markie | | Girl | Pearl |
| Martyna | | Girl | A female warrior of the God Mars |
| Marus | | Boy | Sea of bitterness; Rebellious; Wished for child; to swell |
| Marzena | | Girl | A bitter one |
| Masia | | Girl | A person with a bitter character |
| Mateusz | | Boy | Gift of Yahweh |
| Matjas | | Boy | God's gift |
| Mazur | | Boy | Polish surname; One from Mazovia |
| Mela | | Girl | Darkness; The one who always cannot see anything; Gloomy and shady |
| Melchior | | Boy | King; Light |
| Melka | | Girl | Black coated gorgeous, gloomy layer love |
| Mieka | | Unisex | Gift from God |
Each Polish baby name is a testament to the fusion of Slavic and Christian traditions, resonating with profound significance. These names encapsulate the heart of Polish identity, carrying stories, values, and aspirations. As parents consider these names for their precious children, they embrace a legacy that intertwines the past, present, and future, fostering a sense of pride and connection to Poland's heritage. The above list of Polish names features names ranging from classic to modern with versatile meanings and histories.
Infographic: Captivating Polish Baby Names With Meanings
Polish baby names are a fusion of Slavic and Christian traditions. These names carry the essence of Poland's vibrant cultural heritage. From timeless classics to modern gems, each name reflects the country's identity and values. Explore this infographic to find a name that resonates with you and gift it to your affectionate baby. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the history behind Polish baby names?
In the 13th century, family names emerged in Poland and were initially used by the upper social classes. The Polish nobility formed heraldic clans with names associated with their coats of arms. Families within a clan could have different surnames derived from their estates. Sometimes, family and clan names were combined to create double-barrelled names. The Polish heraldic system allowed unrelated families to adopt the same coat of arms, resulting in a relatively low number of coats of arms. It became customary to refer to noblemen by their family name, coat of arms, or clan name. During the 15th to 17th centuries, Polish naming conventions resembled the ancient Roman style, with given names, clan names, and surnames forming double-barrelled names. Polish names are primarily rooted in the Bible or taken from Old Slavic names (2).
2. What are some common Polish baby names?
Some common feminine Polish baby names are Anna (favor, grace), Maria (beloved, rebelliousness), and Zofia (wisdom). Antoni (flower), Jan (Yahweh is gracious), and Alexsander (defender of men) are some common male names.
3. How do Polish baby names differ from names in other European cultures?
Polish baby names differ from other European cultures because there is no set naming pattern for given names. Polish babies would often be referred to by the Polish form of their Latin names (2).
References
- Law Enforcement Guide to International Names
https://info.publicintelligence.net/ROCICInternationalNames.pdf - Poland Personal Names
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Poland_Personal_Names#Given_Names
