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Polish Names

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
  1. Emilia

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Emil, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius, which derived from the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival." In Shakespeare’s Othello, Emilia is the wife of Iago and confidante of Desdemona. Amelia, although homonymous, has a different root and meaning.
  2. Mina

    • Origin:

      Hindu equivalent of Pisces or diminutive of Wilhelmina, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Most famous as a Dracula victim (where Mina is short for Wilhelmina), Mina is a name that can stand on its own or be a diminutive of any name ending in -mina, most usually Wilhelmina.
  3. Casimir

    • Origin:

      English; French, from Polish

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer of peace"

    • Description:

      Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too.
  4. Minka

    • Origin:

      Polish diminutive of Mina, short form of Wilhelmina, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      In the contemporary US, Minka attracted notice via actress Minka Kelly, who played the gorgeous Lyla on Friday Night Lights.
  5. 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).
  6. Zosia

    • Origin:

      Variant of Sophia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      This unusual and alluring choice was used by David Mamet for his daughter, who is now grown and an actress on the hit show Girls.
  7. Celina

    • Origin:

      Greek, French

    • Meaning:

      "moon or heavenly"

    • Description:

      A light and pretty pan-cultural name which can be considered a variant of either the Greek name Selene or Selena, meaning "moon", or of the French Celine, meaning "heavenly". An attractive choice that is surprisingly rare in the US: out of the Top 1000 since 2006.
  8. Rye

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ryder or Riley; word name; British surname

    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger; rye"

    • Description:

      Rye has the potential to become the masculine version of Rue—a short and sweet name for nature lovers (and whiskey fans too!). Rye might be short for Ryder or Riley or Rylan or any Ry-beginning name, but increasingly it stands on its own. It can also be considered a place name, after the town in England.
  9. Inka

    • Origin:

      Norse, diminutive of Ingrid or Inga

    • Meaning:

      "guarded by Ing or Ing is beautiful"

    • Description:

      Inka is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. Most prominently, it references the Inca civilization of South America, lending the name historical and cultural significance. In Finnish and other Baltic languages, Inka serves as a diminutive form of names containing 'Ing' such as Ingrid or Inge.

  10. Kristina

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Christina

    • Meaning:

      "annointed, a Christian"

    • Description:

      This streamlined form of a pretty and feminine classic may not be as popular as it once was, but it's never out of style. A royal name best used now in its full glory rather than as nicknames Kris or Kristy.
  11. Cela

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sela

    • Meaning:

      "rock"

    • Description:

      This spelling variation of the Biblical place-name Sela is found on early American census roles, but Sela is more usual today. Cella is another early variation.
  12. Marcia

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine version of Marcius

    • Meaning:

      "warlike"

    • Description:

      Marcia is an ancient Roman name which derives from Mars, the god of war. It was used by Dante in the Inferno and later by Thomas Hardy and others.
  13. Ina

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine suffix

    • Description:

      This suffix is used as an independent name, but doesn't your little girl deserve more?
  14. Melchior

    • Origin:

      Dutch from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "city of the king; king of light"

    • Description:

      The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider.
  15. Zenon

    • Origin:

      Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and Zeus

    • Meaning:

      "sky, shine; gift of Zeus"

    • Description:

      Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.
  16. Eda

    • Origin:

      English, Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy, well-mannered"

    • Description:

      An medieval English diminutive of Edith, which could make an unusual addition to simple vintage revivals like Eva, Ada and Ida. In Turkish, it means "well mannered".
  17. Kalina

    • Origin:

      Polish

    • Meaning:

      "viburnum"

    • Description:

      Kalina, known as a girls' name throughout Eastern Europe, translates literally to viburnum in Polish, making it a botanical name. Viburnum is a flowering shrub. Some sources translate this name as simply "flower." Variations may include Kaline, Kalena, and Kalene.
  18. Theadora

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Theodora, feminine variation of Theodore, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      As Theodore gets more popular for boys (it's now in the Top 10, and may even reach Number 1), Theodora is becoming more widely-used for girls, which means various spellings and short forms will spring up.
  19. Milla

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Hungarian

    • Meaning:

      "young ceremonial attendant, gracious people"

    • Description:

      Milla originated as a diminutive of names like Camilla and Ludmilla, but has since become well established as a name in its own right in several European countries. Milla Jovovich is a Ukrainian-born actress and supermodel, while Milla is also used for a character in the novel and musical adaptation, Wicked.
  20. Iza

    • Origin:

      Polish, Czech, and Slovene short form of Izabela, variation of Izzah "pledged to God; glory, power, strength"

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God; glory, power, strength"

    • Description:

      A short form of Izabela, popular as a stand-alone name in Slovenia where it ranks in the Top 50. It might also be used in Poland, Czechia, Georgia, Hungary, and elsewhere as a form of Izabela/lla, Izidora, Izolda, Elizabeth, Adeliza, and similar.