247 Culturally Rich Serbian Baby Names

A cultural journey through the Central Europe heritage.

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Last Updated on Aug 2, 2024

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Serbian baby names reflect a diverse cultural heritage, drawing from Slavic, Christian, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew influences. They blend historical significance with religious symbolism, creating names that hold deep meaning within Serbian traditions. Typically, these names follow Western conventions, where the surname comes after the given name. However, an Eastern naming order may be used in formal settings, placing the surname in capital letters before the first name. For instance, a person would write their name as Zoran Petrović, as per Western conventions, but may mention their name as PETROVIĆ Zoran in any formal Serbian documents.

Serbian first names mostly come from Slavic roots, such as Tomislav, Stevan, Ruza, Natalija, Milorad, Ljudmila, Dragoslav, and Branimir. Some names, such as Nikola and Ana, are chosen because they reflect Christian beliefs and they often come from Hebrew. There are also names from Greek origins, such as Aleksandar and Teodora, which are popular among Serbian Christians. Names of Latin origins, such as Marko and Marina, and some from Germanic roots, like Igor and Oliver, have also been common in Serbia throughout history. These names show the diverse influences on Serbian culture and traditions.

Throughout Serbian history, individuals have been known not only by their given names and surnames but also by distinctive sobriquets. These epithets, such as Zmaj meaning 'the dragon' for poet Jovan Jovanović Zmaj or Alas meaning 'river fisherman' for mathematician Mihailo Petrović Alas, are not just titles, but windows into their talents, personalities, or familial backgrounds. They add a layer of personal significance to the already rich tradition of Serbian names. We have compiled a list of Serbian baby boy and girl names with meanings below.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Mila	Girl	Gracious; Dear; Soldier; Miracles
Luka	Boy	From Lucania; Light
Vera	Girl	Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign
Nina	Girl	Fire; Fish; Ancient city of Nineveh; Little girl; God is gracious; Strong
Milan	Boy	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the plain
Mira	Girl	A wonderous beauty; Peace; Sea; Ocean; Glory; Merry; Kindness; Behold
Rosa	Girl	Rose; Dew
Milana	Girl	Favor; Gracious; Dear
Milena	Girl	Gracious; Dear
Zora	Girl	Dawn; Aurora; Hornet; Strength

Damir	Boy	Peace giver; Steel; Iron; Conscience
Violeta	Girl	Violet; The violet flower
Danilo	Boy	God is a judge
Danica	Girl	Morning star; Venus
Simeon	Boy	Obedient; Listening; Hearing
Ivana	Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Jovi	Girl	God is gracious; Jovial; Of Jupiter
Katarina	Girl	Pure; Each of the two
Vladimir	Girl	A great and famous ruler; Peace; World
Jovan	Boy	God is gracious; From Jupiter

Marin	Girl	Of the sea
Iva	Girl	God is gracious; Willow tree; Yew
Ela	Girl	My God is an oath; Hazel; Earth
Marko	Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Dora	Girl	God's gift; Hand; Gift
Ivanka	Girl	God is gracious
Ilyana	Girl	Sun ray; Kindness; Gentleness; My God is Yahweh
Boris	Boy	Snow leopard; Wolf
Bogdan	Boy	Given by God
Bodin	Boy	He who defends life

Lazar	Boy	God will help
Novak	Boy	New; Novice; Newcomer; Stranger
Aleksandar	Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Mirna	Girl	Peaceful; Calm; The eye
Laszlo	Boy	To rule; Glory
Jelena	Girl	Sunray; Light; Bright; Sunlight
Konstantin	Boy	Constant; Steadfast; Firm
Tesla	Girl	Unit of magnetic flux density
Irena	Girl	Peace
Nada	Girl	Generosity; Dew; Hope

Igor	Boy	Warrior; Army of the Germanic god Yngvi
Milos	Boy	A person full of grace; The dearest of all
Svetlana	Girl	Light; World
Zlatan	Boy	Gold
Isidora	Girl	Gift of Isis
Pera	Unisex	To hope; Stone
Zlata	Girl	Golden
Kohan	Unisex	Beloved; Old; Priest
Millianna	Girl	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the field
Matea	Girl	God's gift

Misa	Girl	Beautiful sea; Three; Fine sand; Happiness; Who is like God
Jovana	Girl	God is gracious; From Jupiter
Tomislav	Boy	Torture and glory
Jove	Boy	Jupiter; Father of the sky; God is gracious
Sava	Boy	Old man; Granfather; Saint who was a trainer of young monks
Stevan	Boy	An individual who is crowned
Trajan	Boy	Enduring; Permanent; Best
Neda	Girl	Sunday; Call; Proclaim
Nikolina	Girl	One who achieves victory for people
Sofija	Girl	Wisdom

Neven	Boy	Worker of the saint's follower; Marigold
Zana	Girl	Yahweh is gracious; Woman; Scholar; Hundred; Bullfinch; Lily; Rose; Fairy
Zoran	Boy	Dawn; Aurora
Drago	Boy	Precious
Ilija	Boy	My God is Yahweh
Adana	Girl	Eldest daughter; Man
Agata	Girl	Good; Agate
Mirko	Boy	Peace; World; Peaceful glory; The peaceful one
Miroslav	Boy	Peace; World; Glory
Milica	Girl	A graceful lady; Dear

Milka	Girl	Gracious; Dear; Rival
Dragan	Boy	A dear and beloved person; A precious person
Jasmina	Girl	Jasmine flower
Emilija	Girl	Rival
Marka	Girl	Mars; God of war; Male; Warlike; Pearl
Dejan	Boy	Deed; Action
Joakim	Boy	Raised by God; Yahweh will establish
Revaan	Boy	Revenge; Zealous; Devoted
Mihailo	Boy	Who is like God
Branko	Boy	Protection

Mileva	Girl	Gracious; Dear
Rada	Girl	Happy; willing
Darko	Boy	Gift
Dusan	Boy	Soul; Spirit
Gordan	Boy	Proud
Matej	Boy	God's gift
Neno	Boy	Unexpected
Silvester	Boy	Wooded; Forest; Wild
Stanislav	Boy	He who is destined to become glorious and famous
Lada	Girl	Slavic Goddess of war; Maiden; Girl; Peace; Creeper

Suzana	Girl	Lily; Lotus; Rose
Rajko	Boy	Paradise
Andel	Unisex	Grace; Bright zeal; Angel
Bojan	Boy	One who fights in battles; Battle
Dare	Boy	Deer; Beloved; He would give
Drazen	Boy	Precious
Bodan	Unisex	Freedom; Ground; Bottom
Gavril	Boy	God is my strong man; God is my hero
Draegan	Unisex	Beloved; Dear; Precious
Katiya	Girl	Perfect; Pure; Clear

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Serbian baby names showcase a rich tapestry of cultural influences, blending names of Slavic roots with those of other origins, such as Greek and Hebrew. These names reflect a heritage where tradition meets creativity, with each name often carrying historical significance. Serbian naming practices highlight the country's vibrant cultural mosaic, from the diverse origins of first names to the unique sobriquets of notable figures. These names shape identities and serve as lasting connections to Serbian traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some of the most popular names in Serbia?

According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Jelena is the most common feminine name, followed by Milica, and Dragan is the most common masculine name, followed by Aleksander in Serbia (1).

2. Is Vladimir a Serbian name?

Vladimir is a common masculine name of Slavic origin, meaning ‘of great power.’ It is widely used across Slavic nations, including Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia.

3. What is the Serbian form of the name Elizabeth?

The Serbian form of Elizabeth is Jelisaveta, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning ‘God is my oath.’

4. Why do most Serbian surnames end with ‘vic’?

Serbian surnames often end with ‘vic’ due to traditional naming conventions that reflect familial lineage. The suffix ‘vić’ is a diminutive, meaning ‘son of’ or ‘descendant of’ in the Slavic languages. It indicates a patronymic origin, connecting the person to their father's name. For example, the surname Petrovic means ‘son of Petar.’

Infographic: Endearing Serbian Baby Names

Serbian baby names blend Slavic resilience with Christian faith, Greek wisdom, Latin elegance, and Hebrew heritage. Each name carries a profound history and deep meaning. Explore how these names serve as a thread that connects Serbia's rich historical legacy with the promise and potential of its future.

vibrant serbian baby names with meanings (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.

The most frequent names and surnames.
https://www.stat.gov.rs/en-us/vesti/20240308-najcescaimenaiprezimena/

Look Up For Many More Names

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