Eastern European Names

The Hungarian classic Laszlo, with its zippy 'z' middle and energetic 'o' ending, has become something of a hipster option, beginning to be considered by cutting-edge parents.
 
A name with a royal heritage in its native country in the Ladislaus form, it is still among the top Hungarian names for boys. In Hungary, Laszlo is pronounced with a soft S sound.
 
Laszlo is probably most familiar to Americans via the noble Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, who was Czech. There have been other fictional Laszlos in Real Genius and the Doctor Who series, and Laszlo is the name of the Ralph Fiennes character in The English Patient.
 
Real life namesakes include painter Moholy-Nagy and acclaimed cinematographer Kovacs. Two well-known actors who were born with the name Laszlo are Peter Lorre and Leslie Howard.
 
The spelling of the name is sometimes streamlined to Lazlo.

Laszlo

This spelling adds a touch of the unusual to Veronica.

Veronika

Maksym is a masculine name of Slavic origin, particularly popular in Ukraine, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. It is the Eastern European variant of Maximus, which comes from Latin meaning "greatest" or "largest." The name carries connotations of strength, achievement, and excellence - qualities traditionally valued for sons. In Ukraine, Maksym consistently ranks among the more popular boys' names, while it remains less common in Western countries. The spelling with 'k' and 'y' reflects Slavic transliteration practices, distinguishing it from the more Latinized Maxim. People with this name often go by the nicknames Maks or Max in casual settings.

Maksym

Variant of the popular Slavic name Bogdan, meaning "given by god".

Bohdan

Krista may be past its peak -- along with all similar C-starting sisters and their K variations -- yet it's still a pretty name. 

Krista

A floral name, used in Romania and popular in Moldova too. Camellia is the English form, while Camélia is used in France. The flower itself is named after botanist George Josef Kamel. 

Camelia

Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls. Its most prominent current bearer with this spelling is Sacha Baron Cohen.

Sacha is a Top 20 name for baby boys in France.

Sacha

Whether you pronounce it my-a, ma-zha or ma-ha, Maja is an intriguing choice. Sometimes associated with Goya's famous painting "The Naked Maja." As a cognate of Maya, it's a Top 10 name in Slovenia and Sweden and is also popular in Germany and Norway.

Maja

Long integrated into the U. S. name pool but still retaining some Slavic flavor, Tanya feels a bit tired; it's ready for replacement by cooler Russian choices like Sasha, Mischa, or parent name Tatiana. 

Tanya

Analee is a sweet, feminine name that combines the popular prefix "Ana" with the suffix "lee," creating a melodic and graceful sound. It can be considered a variation of Annalie or a compound of Anna (meaning "grace" in Hebrew) and Lee (meaning "meadow" or "clearing" in Old English). The name has a Southern charm and delicate quality that feels both familiar and distinctive. While never extremely common, Analee saw modest usage in the United States throughout the 20th century, particularly in the 1930s and again in the 1970s. It offers parents a gentler alternative to the more common Annabelle or Annalise. The name evokes a sense of traditional femininity with its soft sounds and flowing pronunciation.

Analee

A strong Slavic classic, borne by many kings and princes through the ages.

Kazimir

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.

Milla

Contemporary and cool in sound, Roczen is a surname-style choice, notably borne by motorcross racer Ken Roczen and footballer Anthony Roczen. The exact meaning of the name is unclear, though some sources connect it to the Polish roczeń, meaning "yearling, animal of a year old", though it could also be a diminutive of the German name Rocco or Rochus, meaning "crow, rook" or "rest". 
 
Appearing in the US stats since 2011, a recent year saw it given to 29 boys.

Roczen

An ancient Armenian name with contemporary appeal. Zaven is a rare choice with the stylish Z initial and -n ending. The exact etymology of the name is unknown, though theories are that it borrows from Persian and Arabic, offering the meanings "hidden, concealed, secluded", "bronze or copper smith", or "to flow". 
 
Another possibility is that it stems from the Armenian word for solider or warrior (zinvor), though it may also be used in English speaking countries as respelling of Zavion or Zayven, both contemporary spins on Xavier, or of Zeven, a trendy respelling of Seven.
 
There have been two historic church leaders by the name, one from the 4th century AD and one
from the early 20th century. Other notable bearers include Turkish writer Zaven Biberyan,
Lebanese talk show host Zaven Kouyoumdjian, and chess Grandmaster Zaven Andriasian.
 
Given to 24 boys in the US in a recent year, it remains a unique option.

Zaven

This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in the US.
 
In Finland, it's a Top 50 choice, associated with the word ilo meaning "joy".

Ilona

Courageous sister of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

Dunya

Izabela is a beautiful Slavic and Polish variation of Isabella, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'God is my oath'. This spelling is particularly common in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other Eastern European countries. Izabela carries the same regal qualities as its more common counterpart while offering a distinctive cultural connection. The name evokes images of strength and dignity, having been borne by numerous queens and noblewomen throughout European history. In Poland, it ranks among the more popular feminine names. Izabela offers the appealing nickname options of Iza, Bela, or Bella. The name balances classic elegance with a touch of exotic appeal, making it increasingly attractive to parents seeking names with international flair yet recognizable pronunciation.

Izabela

Popular throughout Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Germany, Sonja has a rich cultural heritage. The name gained international recognition through figures like Sonja Henie, the Norwegian Olympic figure skating champion. 

In the United States, the name saw its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, though it has remained a consistent if uncommon choice in all three of its most common spellings. Sonia is the most popular spelling in the US, given to 168 baby girls last year, followed by Sonya, used for about 100, with Sonja coming in third, with 58 baby girls given this spelling.

Sonja

What a difference one letter makes - the somewhat tired, though still heavenly Angela, gets a makeover as sweet and subtle Aniela. Popular in its native Poland where it ranks in the Top 100, it is definitely worth considering.

Aniela

Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
 Anja is heard in several European cultures, including Germany, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries--and it has a variety of pronunciations. It is currently most popular in Slovenia.
 Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio has a daughter called Anja, as does former Bachelor Andrew Firestone.

Anja

Eastern European names span the vast cultures of Eastern Europe, from Latvian and Lithuanian to Romanian and Russian. Among the most popular baby names across Eastern Europe right now are Sofia, Anna, and Emilia for girls, Daniel, Ivan, and Marko for boys.

Eastern European girl names you may want to consider include Vera, Zora, and Anya. Among the best Eastern European boy names are Casimir, Lev, and Laszlo.

Many Eastern European names derive from the same sources as those more familiar in English, including mythology and the Bible. These include names such as Gavril and Yakov, along with Zinaida and Dmitri.

If you have Eastern European heritage or are curious about this part of the world, explore our full collection of names here,

 ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Eastern European baby names for girls and boys, including Anastasia and Dimitri, with meanings, origin, and popularity. (Page 10)