168 Bulgarian Baby Names With Meanings

bulgarian-baby-names-with-meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Adyelya Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Alice; Nobility
heart image Albena Baby Girl Sign Girl A name created by Bulgarian writer Yordan Yovkov for his drama Albena
heart image Aleksandur Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian version of Alexander; Defender of mankind
heart image Anastasiy Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Anastasius; To resurrect
heart image Anastasiya Baby Girl Sign Girl Resurrection
heart image Andrey Baby Boy Sign Boy A born warrior; One who is manly and brave
heart image Anelia Baby Girl Sign Girl Angel; A form of Angela
heart image Anyanka Baby Girl Sign Girl God answered me
heart image Asen Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of a Bulgarian king
heart image Atanas Baby Boy Sign Boy A person who is immortal
heart image Benesj Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed soul; One who is blessed by the Almighty
heart image Bilyana Baby Girl Sign Girl Herb; Bulgarian version of Biljana
heart image Bisera Baby Girl Sign Girl Derived from the South Slavic word biser pearl
heart image Blagorodna Baby Girl Sign Girl A noble woman
heart image Blagoy Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is sweet, pleasant, blessed
heart image Blagun Baby Boy Sign Boy Sweet, pleasant, blessed; Derived from Slavic word blag
heart image Blaguna Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Blagun, meaning sweet, pleasant of blessed.
heart image Bojidar Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant transcription of Bozhidar, meaning divine gift.
heart image Borislava Baby Girl Sign Girl Battle glory; Feminine form of Borislav
heart image Borislaw Baby Boy Sign Boy A variant of Borislav, meaning famous battle
heart image Borka Baby Boy Sign Boy He is a good fighter
heart image Boyan Baby Boy Sign Boy a warrior or fighter
heart image Boyana Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Bojana; Meaning battle
heart image Boyka Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Boyko; Meaning battle
heart image Boyko Baby Boy Sign Boy To be afraid of; Battle
heart image Bozhidar Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift
heart image Bozhidara Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian feminine form of Bozidar; Meaning divine gift
heart image Bozidar Baby Boy Sign Boy A divine gift; Derivation of the Greek name Theodore
heart image Branimira Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Branimir; Peaceful world
heart image Chavdar Baby Boy Sign Boy Derived from a Persian word meaning leader; Dignitary
heart image Damyan Baby Boy Sign Boy One who tames
heart image Daniela Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my judge
heart image Darian Baby Boy Sign Boy Possessing goodness
heart image Desislav Baby Boy Sign Boy Finding glory; Searching for glory
heart image Desislava Baby Girl Sign Girl Glory; Finding glory
heart image Devora Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Deborah; Bee
heart image Deyan Baby Boy Sign Boy Divine, Gifted, Leader
heart image Dimitar Baby Boy Sign Boy A female variant of Demetrius, Mother or earth mother
heart image Dimitur Baby Boy Sign Boy Variation of Demeter; Earth
heart image Doncho Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Andon; Priceless
heart image Donka Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Andon; Priceless
heart image Ekatarina Baby Girl Sign Girl They are famous people and happy beings
heart image Elena Baby Girl Sign Girl Bright one
heart image Elitsa Baby Girl Sign Girl A trusted individual; a Fir tree
heart image Emiliya Baby Girl Sign Girl To work hard
heart image Evangeliya Baby Girl Sign Girl Messenger
heart image Evdokiya Baby Girl Sign Girl Good glory
heart image Fidanka Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian word for sapling
heart image Gavrail Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my strength
heart image Georgi Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian accent of George; Farmer
heart image Gergana Baby Girl Sign Girl The one who does plantation and harvesting
heart image Grozda Baby Girl Sign Girl Grapes; Feminine form of Grozdan
heart image Grozdan Baby Boy Sign Boy A strong man who will shine; A shiny star
heart image Haralambi Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Charalampos; To shine with happiness
heart image Hristo Baby Boy Sign Boy Bearing Christ
heart image Hristofor Baby Boy Sign Boy Carrier of Christ
heart image Iakobina Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian version of Jaclyn; God will add
heart image Iassen Baby Boy Sign Boy Ash tree
heart image Iavor Baby Boy Sign Boy Sycamore
heart image Iglika Baby Girl Sign Girl Primrose
heart image Ilarion Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Hilarion; Happy
heart image Iliya Baby Girl Sign Girl A feminine form of Elijah; The Lord is my God
heart image Iliyan Baby Boy Sign Boy Gifted, intelligent, charming
heart image Iordan Baby Boy Sign Boy Descend; Flowing down
heart image Iordanka Baby Girl Sign Girl Descendant
heart image Iosefina Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Josephine; May Jehovah add
heart image Iskra Baby Girl Sign Girl Spark
heart image Ivailo Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant transcription of Ivaylo; Wolf
heart image Ivan Baby Girl Sign Girl Yahweh is gracious
heart image Ivanka Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
heart image Ivet Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Yvette, Archer
heart image Kaloyan Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome John
heart image Kamen Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone
heart image Khristo Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian variant of Christian, meaning follower of Christ
heart image Kosta Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian diminutive of Konstantin; Constant
heart image Kostadin Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian variant of Constantine, meaning constant.
heart image Krasimir Baby Boy Sign Boy Krasimir means The Beautiful Peace
heart image Krasimira Baby Girl Sign Girl Feminine form of Krasimir. It means beautiful peace.
heart image Krastio Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant transcription of Krastyo. It means cross.
heart image Liliya Baby Girl Sign Girl Russian cognate of Lily; flower lily
heart image Lyuben Baby Girl Sign Girl Love
heart image Lyubomir Baby Boy Sign Boy Form of Lubomir; Loving; World
heart image Lyubov Baby Girl Sign Girl Love
heart image Malyna Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman sweet as a raspberry
heart image Maria Baby Girl Sign Girl Bitter
heart image Meglena Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Madeline, meaning from Magdala
heart image Mihaila Baby Girl Sign Girl Bulgarian form of Michaela, meaning who is like God?
heart image Milenka Baby Girl Sign Girl Black
heart image Mitre Baby Boy Sign Boy Earth
heart image Momchil Baby Boy Sign Boy Derived from the Bulgarian word momche, meaning boy
heart image Natanail Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Nathanael; God-given
heart image Nayden Baby Boy Sign Boy Something found; The name of a saint
heart image Nedelcho Baby Boy Sign Boy Sunday in Bulgarian language
heart image Nedelya Baby Girl Sign Girl Sunday in Bulgarian language
heart image Neli Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Touch; Shining light
heart image Neofit Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Neophytos meaning newly planted
heart image Nevena Baby Girl Sign Girl Showy yellow or orange flowers
heart image Nikifor Baby Boy Sign Boy Bulgarian form of Nicephorus; Bringer of victory
heart image Nikolay Baby Boy Sign Boy The triumph of the public
heart image Ognian Baby Boy Sign Boy Fiery
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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.

culturally significant bulgarian baby names (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

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

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.
  1. A Guide to Name and Naming Practices
    https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf
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