152 Adorable Bulgarian Boy Names

Gavrail, Radoslav, Tsvetan, and a lot more in the list of charming Balkan names.

Written by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years

Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

Read full bio of Trisha Chakraborty

Edited by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

Read full bio of Shikha Thakur

Fact-checked by Nisha Bharatan, B.Tech Specialty: Kids Fun and Developmental ActivitiesExperience: 6 years

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.

Read full bio of Nisha Bharatan

Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Bulgarian boy names represent the rich culture and beautiful landscapes of Bulgaria. Evolved over centuries, these names reflect Bulgaria's diverse heritage, influenced by Slavic, Thracian (1), and Balkan traditions. Bulgaria's geographical attributes also contributed heavily to the naming traditions in the country. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, many of their names are variants of names from other countries indicating their historical interactions. Originating from the Slavic language, many Bulgarian names are inspired by ancient words and concepts. Bogdan, for instance, means ‘gift of God,’ indicating the spiritual inclination of the natives. The Byzantine and Ottoman periods introduced names of Greek and Turkish origins, leading to a fusion of linguistic influences. Nikolay meaning ‘victory of the people,’ and Ivan meaning ‘God is gracious’, reflect the strong Eastern Orthodox Christian influence, while Hristo meaning ‘bearing Christ,’ stems from the Greek Christopher. The evolution of Bulgarian names also showcases a fusion of old and new names. These names can be seen as a connecting link between the glorious past and the intriguing present. Even though modern names are popular in the country, names such as Aleksandar and Viktor are also still popular choices among millennial parents. These names honor ancestral roots and parents’ hopes for their child’s bright future. Bulgarian names provide a sense of individuality and a sense of belonging in a community that the child may cherish as they grow older. Choosing a Bulgarian boy name is perfect for parents who wish to preserve their Bulgarian roots or their love for the country. These names represent the country’s cultural evolution through time. From ancient origins to modern identity, they connect children to their roots and carry forward the nation's diverse heritage. Here is a list of Bulgarian baby boy names with meanings to help you pick the most versatile and meaningful name for your child. Read on.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Nikolai	Boy	Victory; People
Kristian	Boy	Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed
Simeon	Boy	Obedient; Listening; Hearing
Viktor	Boy	Victor; Conqueror
Vladimir	Girl	A great and famous ruler; Peace; World
Yakov	Boy	Supplanter; May God protect; Holder of the heel
Toni	Unisex	Beautiful; Priceless; Praiseworthy; Flower
Andrei	Boy	Courageous; Enduring; Manly; Masculine
Marko	Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Geno	Boy	Earthworker; Well-born; Noble

Adryan	Boy	From Hadria
Boris	Boy	Snow leopard; Wolf
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God
Teodor	Boy	A gift of god
Lazar	Boy	God will help
Aleksandar	Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Laszlo	Boy	To rule; Glory
Pavel	Boy	Small; Humble
Yulian	Unisex	Downy-bearded
Yoan	Boy	Yahweh is gracious

Kalin	Boy	Slender; Pure; Viburnum tree
Konstantin	Boy	Constant; Steadfast; Firm
Nikoli	Boy	Victory of the people
Jasen	Boy	One who heals; Ash tree; Serene
Nikolay	Boy	Victory; The triumph of the public
Zlatan	Boy	Gold
Vladislav	Boy	Glorious rule
Asan	Boy	Handsome
Ilian	Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Danil	Boy	God is my judge

Tomislav	Boy	Torture and glory
Sava	Boy	Old man; Granfather; Saint who was a trainer of young monks
Drago	Boy	Precious
Ilia	Boy	My God is Yahweh
Ilija	Boy	My God is Yahweh
Miroslav	Boy	Peace; World; Glory
Sergey	Boy	Servant; To preserve; To keep safe
Dragan	Boy	A dear and beloved person; A precious person
Grigor	Boy	Watchful; Alert
Korvin	Boy	Raven

Kiril	Boy	Lord; Lordly
Sergei	Boy	Servant
Anikait	Boy	With no home; Unconquerable
Aleksi	Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Andrian	Boy	Masculine; Manly; Courageous; Virility
Mihail	Boy	Who is like God
Yani	Unisex	Peace; Yahweh is gracious
Yosif	Boy	He will add
Yordan	Boy	Descent; Flow down
Anani	Boy	Cloud; Yahweh is gracious

Damyan	Boy	To tame
Diyaan	Unisex	Deed; Action; To do
Dimitar	Boy	Mother of earth; Earth mother
Ioan	Unisex	God is gracious
Kamen	Boy	Stone
Nayden	Boy	Something found; The name of a saint
Naiden	Unisex	Found
Naum	Boy	Comforter; Consolation
Stanislav	Boy	He who is destined to become glorious and famous
Yassen	Boy	Ash tree; Clear; Serene

Yasen	Boy	Ash tree
Aniket	Boy	One who has no residence; Homeless; One who is present in everything; Lord Shiva; Unconquerable
Danila	Boy	God is a judge
Georgi	Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Gavril	Boy	God is my strong man; God is my hero
Hristo	Boy	Bearing Christ
Ilyan	Boy	My God is Yahu
Iliyan	Boy	My God is Yahweh; Young goat
Kaloyan	Boy	Handsome John
Rushank	Unisex	Son of Swati; Father of Chitraratha; A variant of Rusanka

Serafim	Boy	Fiery ones; An order of angels, each with six wings
Stas	Boy	Stand; Become glory
Vasil	Boy	King
Mariyan	Unisex	Male
Alezay	Unisex	Defender
Aleko	Boy	Defender of Men
Krit	Boy	Cutting; Silver; Island
Plamen	Boy	Flame; Fire
Atanas	Boy	A person who is immortal
Atreyi	Boy	Fearless; To flee

Borka	Boy	He is a good fighter
Bozidar	Boy	A divine gift; Derivation of the Greek name Theodore
Chano	Boy	Chime; Level; Flat
Dragomir	Boy	Precious; Peace; World
Dragos	Boy	Precious; Peace; World
Evgeni	Boy	Well-born
Grozdan	Boy	A strong man who will shine; A shiny star
Krasimir	Boy	Krasimir means The Beautiful Peace
Milko	Girl	Gracious; Dear
Neron	Boy	Strong; Vigorous

Onik	Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Parvan	Boy	First
Penka	Boy	The one from an enclosed meadow
Rumen	Boy	Ruddy; Rosy; Pink
Stoyan	Boy	He who stands firmly
Timotei	Boy	A person who honors God
Todor	Boy	A beautiful and pleasant gift from God
Tsvetan	Boy	Color; Floret
Borislav	Boy	Battle glory
Yavor	Boy	Maple tree

1 2 »

With Slavic roots, Bulgarian boy names are a fusion of tradition and modernity. These names carry forward a rich legacy of the country and represent the nation’s culture. Bulgarian names are also inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of the country. They may have evolved over time but have not lost the essence unique to Bulgarian traditions. Every name is attached to historical threads that bind generations and cultures. So pick a Bulgarian baby name that catches your fancy and give your child the perfect gift for a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do Bulgarians have three names?

Bulgarian names typically include a given name, which is placed first, a patronymic placed second, and a family name placed last. However, the patronymic name is typically left out when speaking about the individual.

2. Are Bulgarian last names gendered?

Yes, Bulgarian last names are gendered. In Bulgarian culture, most last names have distinct male and female variants. The suffixes '-ov' and '-ski' are frequently used for male last names, but for female last names, the suffixes "-ova" and "-ska" are used. If a man had the last name Ivanov, the female equivalent would have the last name Ivanova.

3. Are there any Bulgarian baby boy names that are also popular in other countries?

Some Bulgarian baby boy names popular in other countries include Ivan, Dimitar, Georgi, Nikola, and Stefan.

4. What is the significance of middle names in Bulgarian culture?

In the Bulgarian naming convention, a person's middle name, second name, or patronymic/father's name is special. They indicate the individual's genealogy and are taken from the given name of the individual's father.

Infographic: Authentic Bulgarian Names For Boys

A blend of Slavic, Turkish, and Greek influences, Bulgarian boy names are rich in history and culture. Choosing a Bulgarian name for a child preserves the country’s tradition and connects the child to their culture. Parents also opt for these names for their unique pronunciation and strong meanings. The infographic below can help you choose from some traditional and modern Bulgarian names.

traditional and modern bulgarian names for boys (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.

Thracian Non-Material Heritage.
https://ancientbulgaria.bg/thracian/thracian-non-material-heritage

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.