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Serbia is a country in the Balkan region of Europe and is known for its rich heritage. If you are looking for an unusual foreign moniker for your baby, check out these Serbian baby names. Serbian names are gaining popularity due to their modern pronunciations and deep meanings. These names are influenced by the country’s tradition and represent the nation’s diversity. A few common Serbian names also include common English names but mostly in their native form. The neighboring countries also influence the common names of this nation. Either way, Serbia has many baby names to offer you. Check out a few of them in this post below.
Culture And Conventions Of Serbian Names
In Serbian culture, children are typically named by parents or godparents, highlighting the importance of family and guardianship. Like other Slavic nations, Serbia also prefers Slavic names for their children, with their first name appearing before their surname in public records.
While Slavic names may be the norm, Serbians also prefer non-Slavic Christian names with Hebrew or Biblical origins, such as Mihailo, Nikola, and Ana. Names from ancient languages like Greek, Latin, and Germanic are also common. Furthermore, Serbian naming culture includes the fascinating concept of protective or apotropaic names, with unique examples like Vuk, Prodan, and Nenad.
Serbian Boy Names With Meanings
1. David
David is a universal name. It is as popular in Serbia as it is in United Kingdom, United States, and Russia. The name David comes from a Hebrew baby name, which means ‘beloved’. David was the greatest king of Israel. And who can forget his legendary victory over the giant Goliath.
2. Matija
Matija is the Serbian form of the name Matthias. In the Bible, Matija was the Apostle, who replaces Judas, the traitor. The pronunciation of the name is “Ma-ti-ha”.
3. Miloje
Miloje is the Serbian name coming from the Slavic element ‘milu’, which means ‘gracious’. It is a diminutive of the name Milojica. Miloje is one of our favorite Serbian boy names.
4. Miroslav
German footballer Miroslav Klose is the most popular name-bearer for the Serbian name Miroslav. The name originates from Slavic elements ‘miru’, which means ‘peace’, and ‘slava’, which means ‘glory’. Miroslav was also the name of the 10th-century king of Croatia. So it will make a perfect name for your little prince.
5. Spiridon
Spiridon is the Serbian form of the Greek name Spyridon. Many Serbian parents like this name. It means ‘spirit’.
6. Rodavan
Rodavan is another great name you can consider for your baby. It comes from the Slavic element ‘rad’, which means ‘happy’ and van, which means ‘soul’. Hence, the name Roda van means ‘happy soul’.
7. Vlado
If you are looking for a fresh and trendy name for your son, then Vlado should be your choice. Vlado is a short form of the Serbian name Vladimir. It has a musical kind of vibe to it. The name means ‘born to rule’.
8. Zivko
Boy names starting with the letter ‘Z’ sound glamorous, don’t you think so? We like the kind of ring or zing a ‘Z’ sound has. Zivko sounds perfect. It means ‘living.’ What do you think?
Did you know?9. Bogdan
The name Bogdan will surely make your kid stand out of the crowd. It comes from the Slavic word ‘bogu,’ which means ‘god’ and dan, which means ‘given’. Therefore, the name means ‘given by God’.
10. Andrej
Andrej is a form of the name Andrew. It is one of the most appealing Serbian boy names. The ending ‘Drej’ adds to its overall sophistication. Andrej means ‘manly and strong’.
Serbian Girl Names With Meanings
11. Aleksandra
Aleksandra is the Serbian variant of the ever-popular name Alexandra. It is the feminine form of Alexander and has been in the Top 100 names for over 200 years now. And we see no signs of its fading. So you can safely consider for your baby without thinking that it will sound old-fashioned. This elegant name has a chic aura despite its popularity. If you want a shorter version, then you can go for Alexa or Xandra.
12. Teodora
Teodora is an attractive Serbian name. And it has an equally attractive nickname. We feel the Teodora has more phonic appeal than its English form Theodora. The nicknames you can consider for Teodora include Dory, Dora, and Teo. The name Teodora means ‘gift of God’.
13. Jana
Jana is a feminine version of the name Jan. This cross-cultural name is famous not just in Serbia, but also in Holland, Ireland, and Scandinavia. You have to pronounce Jana as Yah-nah or Jan-ah.
14. Katarina
Katarina is the Serbian version of Katherine. It sounds extremely pleasing to the ears. If Katarina is too ordinary for you, then you can consider the unusual Ekaterina. The name means ‘pure’.
Trivia15. Petra
Petra is an impressive Serbian name with a Slavic feel to it. It is a feminine form of the name Peter. This is one of the best Serbian girl names, that relates to the ancient city in Jordan. Supermodel and international disaster relief activist Petra Nemcova is the most popular Petra in the world. Petra means ‘rock formation’.
16. Malina
Malina is a sweet sounding name for your little sweetheart. It means ‘raspberries’, the fruit. The name is a feminization of Malcolm or a variation of the Greek name Melina. Malina is popular in Serbia.
17. Milena
Milena sounds a lot like Malina but has a different meaning. The meaning of Milena is ‘love, warmth, grace’. The name has a continental appeal to it. Did you know that Milena is the short form of the famous actor Mila Kunis? Another famous bearer of the name is Milena Govitch of the film ‘Law and Order’. Mila will make the best nickname for this name.
Did you know?18. Maja
Maja is undoubtedly an intriguing Serbian name for your angel. You have to pronounce it as “mah-yuh” or “mah ih ah”. The name relates to Goya’s painting “The Naked Maja”. The meaning of Maja is ‘splendid’.
19. Hana
Hana is a variation of the name Hannah. Honestly, we feel Hana is a more striking and different. Hana means many things to many people. This flower meaning name spells as Hanae in Japanese and Hannah in American. Some consider Hana as the short form of Johanna.
20. Anja
Anja is one of the most alluring variations of the name Ann/Anna. It means ‘grace’. The name Anja is common in several European countries, not just Serbia.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Illustration: Top 20 Popular Serbian Baby Names For Boys And Girls
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What traditional elements influence Serbian baby names?
The traditional factors that impact Serbian baby names are Serbia’s history, religion, society, and geography. Various names in Serbia also have Slavic roots and are inspired by nature, wildlife, and occupations. Some other Serbian names have Greek, Latin, or Turkish origins.
2. How have Serbian baby names evolved over time?
As societal trends, cultural beliefs, and historical events changed over time, so did Serbian baby names. Media, traveling, and international marriages have also significantly changed naming traditions over time.
3. How are Serbian baby names different from other Slavic cultures?
Serbian baby names have a lot in common with those from other Slavic nations like Russia, Poland, and Ukraine. However, using both Slavic and non-Slavic aspects, the focus on regional and religious variations, and the unique pronunciation and spelling practices can make Serbian names different from other Slavic cultures.
4. What are some unique Serbian names for boys and girls?
Some of the most distinctive Serbian baby names for boys are Biserko (‘pearly’), Jorgovan (‘lilac’), and Zeka (‘bunny’). For girls, some unusual and rare names are Duga (‘rainbow’), Pobeda (‘victory’), and Lutka (‘doll’).
Nowadays, parents are fascinated with names that have deep meanings and unique pronunciations. When deciding how to choose a baby name, many parents also emphasize that their children’s names should be influenced by a place’s rich culture and tradition. If this is the case, you would appreciate the list of Serbian baby names given above. These names are unfamiliar and have their origin in Serbia or the neighboring nations. Explore the list and go through the meanings of the names. Choose the one that suits your preference and goes well with your baby’s personality.
Infographic: Serbian Baby Names For Boys And Girls
The Serbian heritage and culture are rich and hold deep meanings. Thus, if you are in search of names that are unusual yet meaningful, we have the right list for you. The following infographic has a few names inspired by Serbian culture. Do give them a read and make your choice accordingly. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Serbian names are deeply influenced by the country’s rich heritage, tradition, and diversity.
- Many Serbian names have unique pronunciations and deep meanings; for example, Miloje means ‘gracious,’ and Vlado means ‘born to rule.’
- Some Serbian names have historical or biblical references, such as David, Andrej (from Andrew), and Matija (from Matthias).
- These names are not only rooted in the Serbian language; some, like Spiridon, Malina, and Aleksandra, have Greek origins.
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