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