Slavic Baby Names

  1. Ana
    • Origin:

      Variation of Hannah
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Anastasia
    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios
    • Meaning:

      "resurrection"
    • Description:

      Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning "resurrection." It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.
  3. Andrei
    • Origin:

      Russian form of Andrew
    • Meaning:

      "manly"
    • Description:

      Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew
  4. Angelica
    • Origin:

      Italian, Polish, Russian diminutive of Angela
    • Meaning:

      "angel or angelic"
    • Description:

      Angelica is by far the choicest form of the angelic names -- more delicate than Angelina, more feminine than Angel, more modern than Angela. But though Angelica is so lacy and poetic, it lags behind the bolder Angelina (probably for obvious reasons).
  5. Anya
    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Anna
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Anya is a Russian variation of Anna, which came from the Hebrew name Hannah. Anya is the form found most frequently in Russia, Poland, and other East European countries, while Anja is the spelling usually preferred in Germany Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. In the Hungarian language, Anya also means mother.
  6. Bane
    • Bela
      • Origin:

        Czech
      • Meaning:

        "white"
      • Description:

        Since this is strictly a male name in Slavic cultures, better to stick with the "Bella" spelling here.
    • Camila
      • Origin:

        Spanish variation of Camilla
      • Meaning:

        "young ceremonial attendant"
      • Description:

        The Spanish Camila, pronounced ka-MEE-la, is the fastest rising version of this ancient Roman name, but recent royal Camilla may have helped promote the British brand.
    • Darko
      • Origin:

        Slavic
      • Meaning:

        "gift"
      • Description:

        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.
    • Dimas
      • Drago
        • Origin:

          Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Bulgarian
        • Meaning:

          "precious, dear"
        • Description:

          Drago sounds fierce but has a sweet meaning. It may be used as a standalone name or as a short form of other Slavic names beginning with the element dragu "dear", such as Dragoljub or Dragomir.
      • Dragan
        • Elena
          • Origin:

            Spanish, Italian, German, Greek variation of Helen
          • Meaning:

            "bright, shining light"
          • Description:

            Elena is at its most popular point ever in the US, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and the overall popularity of El- names. It's more international than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible.
        • Eva
          • Origin:

            Latin form of Eve, Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "life"
          • Description:

            Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular sister Eve, Eva is one of the elite group of girl names that mean life.
        • Florien
          • Ivan
            • Origin:

              Russian variation of John
            • Meaning:

              "God is gracious"
            • Description:

              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.
          • Ivana
            • Origin:

              Feminine variation of Ivan
            • Description:

              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.
          • Jalena
            • Jamila
              • Origin:

                Arabic
              • Meaning:

                "beautiful, graceful"
              • Description:

                Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.
            • Jovan
              • Origin:

                Slavic variation of John, or Latin
              • Meaning:

                "Jove-like, majestic"
              • Description:

                Jovan, the name of the supreme Roman deity, seems more extraterrestrial now -- and it's also firmly attached to a perfume label. Some parents may see it as a variation of Giovanni, the Italian for John. It is in fact the Slavic variation of John and may be an original way to honor an ancestral John.