379 Exotic Bulgarian Baby Names

Soak in the beauty of Bulgaria with these enchanting names for your little one.

Written by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

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Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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
Mila	Girl	Gracious; Dear; Soldier; Miracles
Valentina	Girl	Strong; Vigourous; Healthy
Vera	Girl	Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign
Nina	Girl	Fire; Fish; Ancient city of Nineveh; Little girl; God is gracious; Strong
Nadia	Girl	Hope; Moist; Tender; Delicate
Nikolai	Boy	Victory; People
Rosa	Girl	Rose; Dew
Rayna	Girl	Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
Milena	Girl	Gracious; Dear
Zora	Girl	Dawn; Aurora; Hornet; Strength

Violeta	Girl	Violet; The violet flower
Lilyana	Girl	From the flower name Lily; My God is an oath; Purity
Kristian	Boy	Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed
Iliana	Girl	From Ilium or Troy; God is Yahweh
Zoya	Girl	Life; To breath; To live
Simeon	Boy	Obedient; Listening; Hearing
Ivana	Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Katerina	Girl	Pure; Clean; Clear; Each of the two
Evelina	Girl	Life; Breathe; Hazelnut
Nikola	Boy	Victory of the people

Kristina	Girl	Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed
Viktor	Boy	Victor; Conqueror
Petra	Girl	Rock; Stone
Vladimir	Girl	A great and famous ruler; Peace; World
Asia	Girl	East; Yahweh is gracious; Resurrection; Defending men
Kalina	Girl	Flower; Viburnum tree
Yakov	Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Toni	Unisex	Beautiful; Priceless; Praiseworthy; Flower
Mariela	Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebellious; Wished for child
Yuliana	Girl	Downy bearded

Marin	Girl	Of the sea
Iva	Girl	God is gracious; Willow tree; Yew
Danae	Girl	Mother of Perseus
Andrei	Boy	Courageous; Enduring; Manly; Masculine
Malina	Girl	Soothing; Disciple of St. Columba; Raspberry; Small
Marko	Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Irina	Girl	Peace
Margarita	Girl	Pearl; Daisy
Yana	Unisex	God is gracious; Doer of good deeds
Geno	Boy	Earthworker; Well-born; Noble

Ivanka	Girl	God is gracious
Vanya	Girl	Gracious gift of God
Raeya	Girl	Singer; Ray of sunshine; Queen; Happy; Friend; Perfume
Vania	Unisex	God is gracious
Adryan	Boy	From Hadria
Illiana	Girl	Yahweh is my God
Alexi	Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Ilyana	Girl	Sun ray; Kindness; Gentleness; My God is Yahweh
Aleksandra	Girl	Defender of mankind
Boris	Boy	Snow leopard; Wolf

Sofiya	Girl	Wisdom
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God
Teodor	Boy	A gift of god
Eleana	Girl	My God is Yahweh; God answered my prayer; Light
Mariya	Girl	Greatly loved; Sea of bitterness
Zori	Unisex	Mighty; Beautiful; Morning star
Tanya	Girl	Fairy queen; Honorable
Simona	Girl	Hearing; Listening
Lazar	Boy	God will help
Nadya	Girl	Hope; Moist; Tender; Delicate

Aleksandar	Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Laszlo	Boy	To rule; Glory
Pavel	Boy	Small; Humble
Reigna	Girl	Queen; Happy; Strong counsel; Spiritual purity; Night
Yulian	Unisex	Downy-bearded
Galia	Girl	Wave; Wave from God; Calm
Yoan	Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Kalin	Boy	Slender; Pure; Viburnum tree
Kaleena	Girl	Each of the two; Pure; Viburnum tree
Konstantin	Boy	Constant; Steadfast; Firm

Nikoli	Boy	Victory of the people
Irena	Girl	Peace
Asya	Girl	Resurrection; Defending men; Asia; East
Nataliya	Girl	Christmas day
Jasen	Boy	One who heals; Ash tree; Serene
Yulianna	Girl	Downy-bearded
Kosta	Boy	Steadfast; Constant
Yona	Unisex	Dove; God is gracious; Bear
Nikolay	Boy	Victory; The triumph of the public
Svetlana	Girl	Light; World

Anastasiya	Girl	Resurrection
Zlatan	Boy	Gold
Roza	Girl	Rose; Fame
Rayn	Boy	Gate of heaven; Queen; Pure
Teya	Unisex	God's gift
Vladislav	Boy	Glorious rule
Neeko	Unisex	Sound; Child; Rather; Radical; Sunday; Grace;
Zlata	Girl	Golden
Adelena	Girl	Noble; Of a noble kind
Ekaterina	Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Immaculate

Boyan	Boy	Battle; Beautiful wave
Elka	Girl	God has purchased
Asan	Boy	Handsome
Darina	Girl	Wonderful gift from God; Fruitful; To possess
Liliya	Girl	Lily; Purity
Ilian	Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Siyana	Girl	Glow; Shine; Light; Silver
Orlin	Boy	Eagle; Renowned in the land
Anelia	Girl	Favor; Grace; Angel
Danil	Boy	God is my judge

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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.

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.’

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)

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.

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

Look Up For Many More Names

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