Eastern European Names

Bright, sharp, and playful, Eilika is considered both a medieval German name, meaning "edge" (as in the sharp edge of a sword) and an Estonian diminutive of Eila, a Scandinavian variation of Helga and Elina. Borne by a 10th-century duchess of Saxony, more contemporary bearers include the Austrian royal, Eilika von Habsburg and biochemist Eilika Weber-Ban.

Eilika

As a feminine name, Karen's popularity has been tainted by the meme, tying it to a (usually) white, middle-class, middle-aged white woman displaying entitled behaviour and wanting to speak to the manager. However, it is a multicultural choice, which also has its roots as a masculine name in Armenia.
 
Used as a short form of Garegin, Karen is transcribed as such to reflect its Western Armenian pronunciation (kah-REHN). Ultimately borrowed from Persian, it means "precious, high-value", and was the name of the of the Seven Great Houses of Iran in the 6th century.
 
A recent year saw it rank in the Top 30 in its native Armenia.

Karen

Bright, cool, and sharp, Zamfir is a Romanian name, likely derived from the Old Slavic samfirŭ or the Hebrew sappir, both referring to the beautiful blue gemstone, the sapphire. Associated with the month of September, royalty, and wisdom, the gemstone name is also used as a surname, it makes a distinctive choice.
 
Notably borne by the 19th- and 20th century activist, Zamfir Arbore, it is also used as a surname, as in the case of musician Gheorghe Zamfir.

Zamfir

Mystical and bright, Zamfira is used as a feminine form of the Romanian Zamfir, and as a variation of the literary Zemfira. Likely derived from Old Slavic, Greek, and Hebrew, it means "sapphire", connecting it to the color blue, the month of September, and to wealth and royalty.
 
The name of an 18th-century monastery and of a village in Romania, the name has seen occasional use in its native Romania, but also in Moldova, Bulgaria, Russia, and Israel.

Zamfira

Used as a masculine form of Otilia, itself the Romanian variant of Odilia, this name is a relative of Otto and Odette. It holds the appeal of Emilian, Bastian, and Julian while also being a rare choice. 

Otilian

A rare member of the Leo-/Lion family, Leontin is a Romanian variant of the Greek Leontios. It likely emerged as a masculinization of the more familiar girl names, Leontina and Leontine. 
 
Sometimes used as a unisex option in Romania, Germany, and Czechia, the name has been notably borne by former footballers (now managers) Leontin Grozavu and Leontin Doană, and by a mononymously named YouTuber from Germany.

Leontin

An powerful feeling name with flair and familiarity, Leontina is notably used Brazil, Czechia, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Chile, and Angola. Derived from the Latin Leontius, it means "lion", making it a relation to Leonie and Leona, Leontine and Leola. 
 
Notable bearers include opera singer Leontina Văduva and singer Leontina Vukomanović.

Leontina

A simple yet multicultural choice with a surname-y feel, Varen can be considered a Sanskrit name meaning "gifts" or "brave", a Scandinavian choice borrowed from the Old Norse element herr meaning "warrior, army", or an English and Dutch choice, relating to words for travelling and sailing.
 
Additionally, it might have its origins in the Slavic Varenka and Vavara, both forms of Greek Barbara. Meaning "foreign", Varen might just be a masculinization. Additionally there's the Latin verus meaning "true, truth".
 
Predominantly used as a surname, it has appeared in the US stats as a given name as recently as 2020.

Varen

An elaboration of Teodora, ultimately derived from the Greek Theodoros, Teodorina is a rare choice, but used more notably in Brazil, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, and Columbia. Pronounced as teh-o-DO-ree-na in Romanian, teh-o-DHO-ree-na in Spanish and teh-o-DAW-ree-na in Italian, a notable bearer is actress Teodorina Bello.


Teodorina

A rare and intriguing Lithuanian name combining noras meaning "wish, desire, want" and vaidentis meaning "to haunt, to appear, to see". As such, Norvaidus may be interpreted to mean "haunted by desire"; "appearance of a wish" or "one expected (or desired) to appear". The latter meaning may be particularly appealing for a long-awaited baby, while the former have a touch of poetry about them.
 
Used very sparingly in Lithuania, there is also a feminine form: Norvaidė.

Norvaidas

A floral name, Antaram is an Armenian choice, used to describe the flowers from the genus Helichrysum ("gold sun"), more commonly known as immortelle, strawflower, or everlasting. As such, this name may appeal to those who enjoy names with expansive meanings, like  Ambrosia,  Evren, and Emrys. Used as a feminine name in Armenia, it is used as a masculine choice in India, possibly as a variation of the Arabic Antar ("champion, brave"),  the Sanskrit Antara ("in between") and Ram ("pleasing, beautiful".)

Antaram

A strong choice, associated with good health, Walery is a relation of the Russian Valeriy and a cognate of the regal Valentine. Notable bearers include the Polish photographer Stanisław Julian Ignacy Ostroróg (who went by Walery), ice hockey player, Walery Kosyl, and politician and former Prime Minister of Poland, Walery Sławek.

Walery

Derived from the Russian word for November (noyabr), this name was used by communist parents to celebrate the Revolution of 1917 (which took place in November, according to the Gregorian calendar). A now rare choice, one notable bearer was actress Noyabrina "Nonna" Mordyukova.

Noyabrina

A Russian and Bulgarian surname that may sound like a given name to English ears, Petrova means "descendant of Peter" (or of Petar or Pyotr: its Bulgarian and Russian forms) and would be unlikely (or at least very, very rarely) used as a first name in its native countries.
 
It was however used as a given name for one of the Fossil sisters in Noel Streatfield's popular novel, Ballet Shoes and as such, it may be considered a literary name.

Petrova

Naum is a Biblical name, rarely heard outside Russia, Bulgaria and surrounding areas, though alternative form Nahum is beginning to receive more attention in the US. Derived from the Hebrew naham, it has the pleasing and gentle meaning of "comfort, console".
 
Also used in the Latin Bible, Naum is pronounced as nu-OOM in Russia and as NA-oom in Macedonia. It is a saintly choice, borne by the 9th century Naum of Preslav, and an arty feeling choice, thanks to the prominent Russian Constructionist sculptor Naum Gabo.

Naum

The Polish form of the aristocratic Aloysius, Alojzy has a zippier, spikier sound. The name ultimately has its roots in the German Ludwig, making it a relative of Louis and Louisa.

Alojzy

In Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a young Spartan, accidentally killed by Apollo, and from whose blood the hyacinth flower sprung. Hiacynta is a Polish feminine form, joining Jacinta, Jacinda, Giacinta, Jacinthe, and Hyacinth itself as names that are both floral and spiky. Familiar but not overused in its native Poland, it featured in the Polish Top 200 back in the late 2010s. 

Hiacynta

More familiar in its feminine form, Hiacynta, this Polish name is a floral boy name, derived from the Greek Hyacinthus. In mythology, Hyacinthus was a young spartan accidentally killed by Apollo. The mourning god then caused a flower to spring from the dead man's blood.


Hiacynt

Hasmik is the Armenian form of Jasmine, pronounced as hahs-MEEK in east of the country and hahs-MEEG in the west. It has ranked in the the Armenian Top 50 since the 2000s, reaching #12 in 2007 at its peak.



Hasmik

While Audrius might look like a variation of the English Audrey, it is in fact a weather-inspired Lithuanian name, derived from the word audra meaning "storm". An intriguing alternative to Aurelius, August, and Andrius, perhaps, the name is notably borne by politician Audrius Nakas, philosopher Audrius Beinorius, actor Audrius Bruzas, and filmmaker Audrius Stonys.
 
Feminine forms include Audra and Audronė.

Audrius

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 57)