My Favorite Serbian Names

Confident and compact, Ana is a widely used variation of the Biblical Hannah. Favored in Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia, Portugal, and Croatia, this shorter spelling has the same substance and versatility of its longer counterparts.

Andrea — a feminine form of Andrew (and a male name in several European cultures) — comes with a good selection of pronunciations — ANN-dree-a, AHN-dree-a, or ahn-DRAY-a — each with a slightly different image: girl next door/slightly affected/downright mysterious

Diminutive form of Anna, pronounced "ah-nee-tsa" in Slovene, Croatian and Serbian and like Annika in Romanian.

Makes a Biblical favorite new and interesting.

If you're a movie fan or a sports fan, you might be attracted to this name, via the film "Donnie Darko" or the Serbian-born basketball star Darko Milicic. It is kind of dark, though.

Dejana is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Serbia, Croatia, and other Balkan countries. The name is derived from the Slavic word for "deed" or "action," suggesting someone who is accomplished or effective. Dejana carries a melodic quality with its three-syllable pronunciation (de-YA-na), making it appealing cross-culturally. While relatively uncommon in Western countries, it has maintained consistent usage in Eastern Europe. The name combines uniqueness with an intuitive pronunciation for English speakers. Dejana may also be connected to the name Diana in some interpretations, sharing associations with grace and beauty. For parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible international name, Dejana offers cultural richness and feminine elegance.

Streamlined spelling found all across Europe. The Spanish Filipo has extra zip.

Portuguese form of Philippa

This form of Irene feels fresher and gives the classic name a chic, international flair. It's most commonly used in Eastern Europe.

Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.

A rarely used Slavic name until the Czech-born ex-Mrs. Trump took it over the top. Daughter's name Ivanka adds a dollop of charm.

High-profile First Daughter Trump bears a nickname for her mother's name, Ivana. But though quite common in Slavic countries, and despite its international appeal, Ivanka is likely to remain a Singe-Celebrity name in the US — the Oprah of the political world — for the foreseeable future. Ivanka's larger impact on names may be inspiring parents to name their daughters after their moms.

The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.

Kornelija is a feminine name representing the Lithuanian, Slovenian, and Serbian form of Cornelia. The name has ancient Roman roots, derived from the Latin 'cornu' meaning 'horn,' and was the name of a prestigious Roman family, the Cornelii. Historically, Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi brothers, was celebrated as the ideal Roman matron, giving the name associations with dignity and maternal virtue. Kornelija maintains these classical connections while reflecting Eastern European linguistic traditions through its spelling with 'K' and pronunciation. While primarily used in Baltic and Slavic countries, the name has a timeless quality that transcends specific eras. It offers an elegant, international alternative to more common feminine names while still providing familiar nickname options like Nela or Kora.