115 Antique Ukrainian Baby Names With Meanings

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Ukraine, the second largest nation in Europe, is a country with more than a thousand years of tradition and history, originating in antiquity. The land of fertile agricultural plains and heavy industry has some beautiful and unique Ukranian names added in its kitty. It is also renowned for its beautiful people, delicious food, and unmatched landscape.

As per traditional Slavic naming customs, Ukrainian people are supposed to have a tripartite name, which includes a given name, patronymic name, and family name. But the full name is mostly used in official documents, not in day-to-day life. As with most cultures, the given name of a Ukrainian baby is selected by the parents. The first names originate from the two primary sources – Orthodox church tradition, which is of Greek origin, and Catholic church tradition, which is of Latin origin. Slavic-origin names are also familiar to the Ukrainians. Also, the names have to be gender specific, even though they can be derived from the same roots.

While in most cases, Ukrainians have a single first name or given name, in rare instances, doubled or two first names could also be provided, separated by a hyphen. Additionally, some given names in Ukraine are derived from Russian names, especially among ethnic minorities. Although Ukrainian names may seem to be similar to Russian names, some either differ from Russian names by a few letters, or have varied suffixes. For example Dmitri is a Russian name, which takes the form of Dmitro in Ukrainian; similarly, Alexey, a Russian name is spelled Oleksiy in Ukrainian (2).

For the nicknames, Ukrainians mostly use diminutives of the given names, such as Andy for Andriy and Anna for Anastasiya. Anastasiya and Oleksander have been the most popular names in Ukraine for ages. But if you want something less common for your child, take a look at our list of Ukraine baby boy and girl names below.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Vanko	Boy	God’s gift
Vasyklo	Boy	Noble
Vasylyna	Girl	Queenly or queen-like
Veronika	Girl	She who brings victory; True image
Viktoria	Girl	Croatian form of Victoria; Victory
Vladislav	Boy	Glorious rule or a glorious ruler
Yaryna	Girl	Peaceful
Yelysaveta	Girl	Devoted to God
Yeva	Boy	Life
Yevhen	Boy	Noble

Yevheniy	Boy	Noble
Yevtsye	Girl	Life
Yure	Boy	Farmer
Zlata	Girl	Golden
Zoriana	Girl	Gift of God, princess
Zoryana	Unisex	Radiant sunrise
Zoya	Girl	Life

« 1 2

Our thoughtfully selected list of Ukrainian baby names for boys and girls includes names from diverse letters. In addition, it spans simpler options, like Anna and Ivan, to more intricate ones, like Maryska and Rostyslav. Each name comes with its meaning to aid you in choosing a unique yet significant name for your baby. So, whether you are from Ukraine, have Ukrainian origin, or simply admire the appeal of Ukrainian names, the above list will certainly help you decide on a wonderful name for your baby.

Infographic: Interesting Ukrainian Names For Boys And Girls

Ukraine is a beautiful country with rich culture and heritage. Whether you’re from Ukraine or fascinated by the Ukrainian language and culture, look through the infographic below for some wonderful Ukrainian names for your baby. The guide below also contains the names' meanings to help you choose the perfect name for your baby.

endearing ukrainian names for babies (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any traditional naming customs in Ukraine?

In the past, the baby’s name was chosen by a priest in correspondence with a patron saint whose ‘feast day’ was on the same day or week of the child being born or baptized. However, nowadays, parents can choose any name of their choice for the baby (1).

2. Can non-Ukranians use Vietnamese baby names?

Yes, non-Ukrainian parents can give Ukrainian names to their babies. Ukrainian names may resemble names from Russia and other Slavic countries. However, ensure you research the history, significance, meaning, and pronunciation of the name before finalizing it.

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.