Eastern European Names
Eastern European names originate from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and many other surrounding countries.
Eastern European girl names include Zsazsa, Danika, Amalia, and Edvina. Eastern European boy names include Savin, Cyrek, Rouben, and Antal.
Browse all of our Eastern European baby names here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
- Amalia
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"work"Description:
Originally popularized in eighteenth century Europe due to the fame of Anna Amalia, a Duchess who was a great patron of the arts, Amalia is now a widely cross-cultural name, heard from Italy to Romania, Germany to Scandinavia. Popular in the Netherlands, Chile, France, and Puerto Rico, it can be pronounced as uh-MAH-lee-uh (English), a-MA-lya (Spanish), and ah-MA-lee-uh (German, Dutch), to list a few.
amal meaning "vigorous, unceasing, work", and while it may not be quite so popular in the English speaking work as its sibling, it has been on the rise in the US since 2011, when it re-joined the Top 1000 after an 80 year absence. Given to 550 American babies in a recent year, it is considerably less popular than Amelia — 23 times less popular, in fact.
- Emelia
Origin:
Variation of Emilia or Amelia, Latin, Germanic, "rival;workDescription:
Emelia takes elements from soundalike sisters Emilia and Amelia, which actually derive from different roots and have different meanings.
- Zsazsa
Origin:
Hungarian, , diminutive of ErzsebetMeaning:
"God is my oath"Description:
Zsa Zsa is a zippy Hungarian nickname name, sometimes used independently, linked for decades with the Hungarian-born actress Zsa Zsa Gabor--who was born Sari.
- Daniela
Origin:
Feminine form of Daniel used in various languagesMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Used across Europe, South America, and the US, Daniela is a popular feminine form of the Hebrew name Daniel. It has ranked in the US Top 300 since the early 90s and it's currently on trend in Spain, Portugal, Chile, Mexico, and Lativia.
- Sari
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Sari is a cute spin on Sarah, though some may hear it as "sorry," and it is also an item of clothing worn in India. These days many people will also confuse Sari with Suri, the lovely and unsual name of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' much-publicized young daughter.
- Danika
Origin:
Eastern EuropeanMeaning:
"morning star"Description:
Spelling variation of Danica with a modern update.
- Nichole
Description:
Nichole is a feminine name, a variant spelling of Nicole, which itself is the French feminine form of Nicholas. The name derives from Greek elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning 'people,' thus conveying 'victory of the people.' This variation with an 'h' became particularly popular in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, offering a slightly more distinctive spelling than the more traditional Nicole. The name has a soft, feminine sound while maintaining a certain strength in its meaning. Though its peak popularity has passed, Nichole remains recognizable without being overly common. The name's classic roots provide substance, while its familiar sound ensures easy pronunciation and recognition across various cultures.
- Angelov
Description:
Angelov is a Bulgarian and Macedonian surname derived from the personal name Angel, which comes from the Greek word 'angelos' meaning 'messenger' or 'angel.' As a family name, it follows the Slavic naming pattern with the suffix '-ov' indicating 'son of' or 'belonging to' Angel. While primarily used as a surname in Eastern European countries, particularly in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and parts of Russia, it occasionally appears as a masculine given name. The name carries religious connotations due to its association with heavenly messengers in Christian traditions. As a first name, Angelov remains relatively uncommon internationally but maintains cultural significance in Slavic regions.
- Edvin
Description:
Edvin is a masculine name of Scandinavian and Slavic origin, representing a variant of Edwin. Derived from Old English elements 'ead' meaning 'wealth, fortune' and 'wine' meaning 'friend,' Edvin translates to 'rich friend' or 'wealthy friend.' Particularly popular in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and parts of Eastern Europe, Edvin offers a modern-sounding alternative to Edwin while maintaining its historical roots. The name carries connotations of prosperity, loyalty, and friendship. Edvin has experienced periodic surges in popularity across Northern Europe and remains a steady choice in Scandinavian countries. Its concise form and smooth pronunciation make it appealing internationally, while its subtle difference from the more common Edwin gives it a distinctive quality that many parents appreciate.
- Savin
Description:
Savin is a masculine name with diverse origins. In Slavic traditions, it derives from the Latin 'Sabinus,' meaning 'Sabine' (relating to an ancient Italian tribe). The name also has roots in Russian Orthodox tradition, associated with Saint Savin. Additionally, it relates to the savin juniper plant, giving it nature-inspired connections. The name has moderate usage in Eastern European countries like Russia, Serbia, and Bulgaria but remains uncommon in Western nations. Savin possesses a contemporary sound despite its ancient origins, appealing to parents seeking distinctive names with historical depth. Its short, strong phonetics and relatively straightforward pronunciation make it accessible across different languages and cultures.
- Gretl
Description:
Gretl is a diminutive form of Margaret, used primarily in German-speaking regions, particularly Austria and Bavaria. The name derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl,' with Gretl emerging as an affectionate, familiar version. Most famously associated with the younger sister in the Von Trapp family (portrayed in 'The Sound of Music'), Gretl carries folkloric charm and Alpine cultural associations. The name has a warm, endearing quality with its compact form and distinctive ending. While uncommon outside German-speaking countries, Gretl offers an appealing alternative to the more widely used Gretel or Greta. The name evokes a sense of European heritage and traditional charm, making it attractive to parents seeking a name with cultural specificity and historical character.
- Jozefa
Description:
Jozefa is a feminine name with Slavic origins, representing the female form of Joseph. The name Joseph comes from Hebrew, meaning 'God will add' or 'God increases.' This variant spelling with 'z' instead of 's' and the feminine ending '-a' is particularly common in Polish, Czech, and other Eastern European languages. Jozefa carries the dignified history of the biblical Joseph while offering a distinctly feminine form with Slavic character. The name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries but maintains cultural significance in Eastern Europe. For families with Slavic heritage, Jozefa offers a way to honor cultural roots while providing a strong, meaningful name. Its pronunciation (yo-ZEF-ah) adds a melodic quality that distinguishes it from other Joseph derivatives.
- Elizur
Description:
Elizur is a masculine name with biblical Hebrew origins, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of a prince of the tribe of Reuben. The name means 'God is my rock' or 'my God is a rock,' reflecting strong religious significance and conveying qualities of steadfastness and reliability. Elizur has remained exceptionally rare throughout history, never achieving mainstream popularity even during periods when biblical names were widely used. The name combines the element 'El' (God) with 'zur' (rock or strength), creating a powerful theological statement. For parents seeking a deeply meaningful biblical name that remains distinctive and uncommon, Elizur offers both religious significance and uniqueness. Its biblical heritage gives it gravitas while its rarity ensures originality.
- Sasa
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"goose"
- Anzhel
Description:
Anzhel is a masculine name primarily found in Eastern European cultures, particularly in Russian and Bulgarian communities. It represents a variation of Angel (Ангел), which derives from the Greek 'angelos' meaning 'messenger.' The distinctive spelling with 'zh' reflects the Cyrillic character 'ж' that produces a sound similar to the 's' in 'measure.' While Angel and its variants have religious connotations in many cultures, referring to heavenly messengers, in Slavic regions Anzhel functions primarily as a given name without strong religious associations. The name remains relatively uncommon in Western countries but has traditional usage in Eastern Europe, offering a distinctive choice that bridges multiple cultural traditions.
- Tamasa
Description:
Tamasa is a feminine name with diverse cultural roots. It may be derived from Sanskrit origins, where it relates to 'tamas,' meaning darkness or night, though with different connotations than in Western contexts—representing mystery, depth, and the unknown rather than negativity. In some cultures, it could be linked to the Tamasa River mentioned in ancient Indian texts. The name has a gentle rhythm with its three syllables and soft consonants. Tamasa remains relatively rare in Western countries, giving it an exotic appeal. Parents might choose this name for its melodious quality, subtle connection to nature, and distinctive character that still feels accessible and pronounceable.
- Dennes
Description:
Dennes is a masculine name that likely originated as a variant spelling of Dennis or Denis. These names derive from Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The more common form, Dennis, came through the Latin Dionysius and was popularized through St. Denis, a 3rd-century bishop of Paris and patron saint of France. Pronounced DEN-is or DEN-ees, this variation with the double 'n' and 'es' ending gives the classic name a slightly different look while maintaining its traditional sound. Dennes is considerably rarer than Dennis, making it an uncommon choice that still feels familiar. The name carries connotations of resilience and spiritual dedication through its saintly connections while maintaining its ancient Greek roots.
- Benedek
Origin:
Hungarian, from LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
A dashing Hungarian form of Benedict that reads as a Benedict / Dominic combination, with an intriguing sound.
- Nichola
Description:
Nichola is the feminine form of Nicholas, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, combining 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people), thus meaning 'victory of the people.' While Nicholas has been consistently popular for boys, Nichola is a relatively uncommon feminine variation, offering an alternative to the more widely used Nicola, Nicole, or Nicolette. The name carries a classical elegance while still feeling accessible. Popular in parts of Europe, particularly the UK, Nichola has never reached the same level of popularity in the United States. The name maintains the strong historical connections of Nicholas, including associations with Saint Nicholas, while offering a distinctly feminine option with a softer ending.
- Bernarda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"brave as a bear"Description:
Too close in sound to the so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out Bernard.