87 Culturally Rich Serbian Baby Names
A cultural journey through the Central Europe heritage.
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Serbian baby names reflect a diverse cultural heritage, drawing from Slavic, Christian, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew influences. They blend historical significance with religious symbolism, creating names that hold deep meaning within Serbian traditions. Typically, these names follow Western conventions, where the surname comes after the given name. However, an Eastern naming order may be used in formal settings, placing the surname in capital letters before the first name. For instance, a person would write their name as Zoran Petrović, as per Western conventions, but may mention their name as PETROVIĆ Zoran in any formal Serbian documents.
Serbian first names mostly come from Slavic roots, such as Tomislav, Stevan, Ruza, Natalija, Milorad, Ljudmila, Dragoslav, and Branimir. Some names, such as Nikola and Ana, are chosen because they reflect Christian beliefs and they often come from Hebrew. There are also names from Greek origins, such as Aleksandar and Teodora, which are popular among Serbian Christians. Names of Latin origins, such as Marko and Marina, and some from Germanic roots, like Igor and Oliver, have also been common in Serbia throughout history. These names show the diverse influences on Serbian culture and traditions.
Throughout Serbian history, individuals have been known not only by their given names and surnames but also by distinctive sobriquets. These epithets, such as Zmaj meaning 'the dragon' for poet Jovan Jovanović Zmaj or Alas meaning 'river fisherman' for mathematician Mihailo Petrović Alas, are not just titles, but windows into their talents, personalities, or familial backgrounds. They add a layer of personal significance to the already rich tradition of Serbian names. We have compiled a list of Serbian baby boy and girl names with meanings below.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Rose; Dew | ||
| Gracious; Dear | ||
| Obedient; Listening; Little hyena | ||
| Given by God; A Godsent person | ||
| A gift of god | ||
| A girl who is full of strength and power | ||
| He who defends life | ||
| Newcomer to the family; Fresh family member | ||
| A person full of grace; The dearest of all | ||
| God's gift | ||
| Gift of God | ||
| Torture and glory | ||
| An individual who is crowned | ||
| Habitational name for one who is from Topper; Occupational name for one who stokes coal in steamer | ||
| A woman full of wisdom | ||
| One who imparts knowledge; God | ||
| He who is destined to become glorious and famous | ||
| Kingly or regal | ||
| One who fights in battles | ||
| May God watch over you | ||
| Born on Christmas day | ||
| God's Gift | ||
| Having no ownership or control | ||
| A woman of the sea of sorrows | ||
| The silent; Stands for the peace | ||
| A child who was wished for | ||
| Creation of God | ||
| The joy and happiness from god | ||
| The woman who always remains standing | ||
| One who helps or defends mankind | ||
| A peacelover; A short form of Ljubo | ||
| A little love; A short form of Ljubica | ||
| A woman who is god-given | ||
| She who is a fighter in the battles | ||
| World protection; Harmony; Peace | ||
| Protection of glory | ||
| Protection of glory | ||
| Glory of the brother | ||
| To make peace | ||
| One with a fur coat | ||
| Woman like a sea storm | ||
| A precious person who is mature and filled with empathy | ||
| Precious; True-natured being | ||
| Precious; Gift from God; Glorious | ||
| Precious and mature person | ||
| Quince | ||
| To match; Surpass a person or a rival by imitation mostly | ||
| One who is very restless | ||
| One with a clever mind | ||
| Me | ||
| A girl sweet as a strawberry | ||
| Ksenija means hospotality, a stranger or a guest | ||
| She who is from an ancient Kingdom of Lydia | ||
| A person who is favoured by the people | ||
| A graceful woman in the sea of bitterness | ||
| A dame from the sea of heartache | ||
| A graceful joy or care | ||
| A dear one; Pleasant one | ||
| The one was born on Sunday | ||
| Resembles one of the days; Sunday | ||
| The new comer to the family; Fresh family member | ||
| A gun or a cannon; One who is a barrel of a rifled gun; helpful | ||
| One who has wings | ||
| A boy whose cheeks are ruddy and red | ||
| She who is a beautiful rose | ||
| One of the woods | ||
| She who hears; She who listens | ||
| One who hears and listens | ||
| A woman who is heard by God | ||
| From Serbian; Glory | ||
| She who brings glory | ||
| She who has achieved greatness | ||
| A man who is free | ||
| One who became peaceful and glorious | ||
| A woman who achieves fame | ||
| A person who has a crown | ||
| One who stands | ||
| She who stands firmly on the ground | ||
| A musical instrument like a guitar | ||
| A quiet person; A saint | ||
| Land of strength; A place in Serbia | ||
| A beautiful and pleasant gift from God | ||
| Clear; Cheerful | ||
| Peaceful; Calm | ||
| Who is like God | ||
| Early awakening; Morning joy | ||
| Strong; Brave; Powerful |
Serbian baby names showcase a rich tapestry of cultural influences, blending names of Slavic roots with those of other origins, such as Greek and Hebrew. These names reflect a heritage where tradition meets creativity, with each name often carrying historical significance. Serbian naming practices highlight the country's vibrant cultural mosaic, from the diverse origins of first names to the unique sobriquets of notable figures. These names shape identities and serve as lasting connections to Serbian traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some of the most popular names in Serbia?
According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Jelena is the most common feminine name, followed by Milica, and Dragan is the most common masculine name, followed by Aleksander in Serbia (1).
2. Is Vladimir a Serbian name?
Vladimir is a common masculine name of Slavic origin, meaning ‘of great power.’ It is widely used across Slavic nations, including Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia.
3. What is the Serbian form of the name Elizabeth?
The Serbian form of Elizabeth is Jelisaveta, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning ‘God is my oath.’
4. Why do most Serbian surnames end with ‘vic’?
Serbian surnames often end with ‘vic’ due to traditional naming conventions that reflect familial lineage. The suffix ‘vić’ is a diminutive, meaning ‘son of’ or ‘descendant of’ in the Slavic languages. It indicates a patronymic origin, connecting the person to their father's name. For example, the surname Petrovic means ‘son of Petar.’
References
- The most frequent names and surnames.
https://www.stat.gov.rs/en-us/vesti/20240308-najcescaimenaiprezimena/
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.
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