Polish Names

  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. Rye
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ryder or Riley or word name, English
    • 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.

      Country artist Hailey Whitters and her husband, Jake Gear, chose this name for their son in 2025.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Kasper
    • Origin:

      Polish variation of Casper, form of Jasper, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "bringer of treasure"
    • Description:

      Jasper and its many international variations, from Kasper to Casper to Gaspard, is finding new popularity.
  12. Zygfryd
    • Description:

      Zygfryd is the Polish variant of the Germanic name Siegfried, composed of elements meaning 'victory' and 'peace' or 'protection.' This powerful name carries significant historical and mythological weight, as Siegfried was a legendary hero in Germanic and Norse mythology, later immortalized in Wagner's Ring Cycle operas. The Polish spelling Zygfryd reflects the name's journey through different European languages while maintaining its heroic associations. While common in Poland, particularly in the early-to-mid 20th century, it remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries. Zygfryd projects strength and ancient nobility, appealing to parents with Polish heritage or those seeking a name with historical depth. The distinctive 'Z' beginning and unusual consonant combination gives it a strong, memorable quality despite its challenging pronunciation for non-Polish speakers.
  13. 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.
  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. Eleonora
    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor
    • Description:

      Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
  16. 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.
  17. Ina
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine suffix
    • Description:

      This suffix is used as an independent name, but doesn't your little girl deserve more?
  18. Ania
    • Description:

      Ania is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Poland and other Eastern European countries. It functions as a diminutive form of Anna, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' The name features a straightforward pronunciation (AHN-yah or AHN-ee-ah, depending on regional accents) that travels well across language boundaries despite its specific cultural roots. Ania has a delicate, feminine quality while maintaining simplicity and brevity. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it has gained some recognition with increased global cultural awareness. The name carries the warmth and timeless quality of its root name Anna while offering a fresh, slightly exotic alternative that's still easy to pronounce and spell.
  19. 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.

  20. Kristi
    • Description:

      Kristi is a feminine name primarily used as a diminutive form of Christina or Kristina, derived from the Greek word 'Christos,' meaning 'anointed one.' This short, sweet variation gained particular popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. The name carries Christian religious connotations while maintaining a contemporary feel. Kristi strikes a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness, as it's widely recognized but not overly common. The spelling with 'K' rather than 'C' gives it a slightly Nordic flair, reflecting its popularity in Scandinavian countries. Notable bearers include several athletes and performers, adding to its dynamic, spirited associations.

Introducing the Nameberry App

Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.
Nameberry App Logo