Eastern European Names

A Slavic variation of Helen that might make an unusual update of that classic name.

Zdenka is a feminine name that is far more popular that the original male name (Zdenko), in both its homeland and abroad. Its meaning, woman from Sidon, makes it the Czech version of English name Sidony. The distinctive "Zd" beginning makes this one of the most intriguing Czech names for girls.

In the Bible, Tabor is the name of the mountain that stood on the border between northern and southern Israel. This biblical place name is similar to the Hungarian name Tibor.

Short form of the Russian Varvara, a feistier version of Barbara.

What a difference a couple of letters make: Old World version of most popular name never quite made it out of the shtetl.

Concise Nada is a cross-cultural choice with pleasant meanings. In Arabic, it is derived from nadan meaning "dew, moisture", though other possible translations include "caller" and "goodness". As a Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian name, it means "hope".

See ZOE.

The original version of an Old World name more often found as the Spanish Salvador or the Italian Salvatore.

The first bride on "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire." -- not the classiest of names.

This unusual name belonged to a character played by Kirsten Dunst in an early film.

A simple and appealing multi-cultural form of John.

Anyone who remembers the classic novel or film "The Prisoner of Zenda" would find this an odd choice.

This version of the more familiar Paulina is occasionally used in the US, though some may see it as relating more to the word pole than to the classic Paul.

Like cousin Ludmila, a Russian name rarely heard in this country.