Eastern European Names

Also spelled as Audronė, this is a weather-inspired choice, derived from the Lithuanian word for "storm". A relation of the masculine Audrius and feminine Audra, it is a rare choice outside (and within) its native country. Alternative variations of it include Audrona and Audronija.

Audrone

Also appearing as Audronija, Audrona, and Audrone, this nature-inspired Lithuanian name derives from audra, which translates to storm. Quietly used in its native country, though rare elsewhere, it is a relation of the masculine name, Audrius.

Audronė

An elegant Lithuanian choice with a weather-inspired meaning, Audronis combines audra meaning "storm" with the patronymic suffix -onis. As such, you could interpret it as meaning "son of the storm", or perhaps "son of Audrius". It is predominantly heard in its native Lithuania.

Audronis

A Slavic translation of the popular Theodore, Bozidar combines the elements božĭjĭ and darŭ meaning "divine" and "gift" respectively. Used across Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonian, Poland, and Lusatia, it has a distinctive and mighty sound. 
 
Also written as Božidar and Bozhidar, the name comes with the diminutives Bozi, Bosko, and Boza, and has been notably borne by politician Božidar Đelić and actor Božidar Kocevski.

Bozidar

Also appearing as Božidara and Bozhidara, this name can be considered a Slavic translation of Theodora (or Dorothea) made up of the elements božĭjĭ and darŭ meaning "divine" and "gift" respectively. Used in Bulgaria, Serbia, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and beyond, it has a strong and memorable sound.

Bozidara

The name of an 11th century ruler of Novgorod (one of the oldest cities in Russian), Ostromir is remembered for commissioning the Ostromir Gospels, the oldest dated Russian manuscript book. As such, this name has an element of historical grandeur. 
 
Derived from the Slavic elements ostro meaning "sharp" and mir meaning "peace", it may seem like a name of contrasts, but it could equally imply a firm or strict adherence to being peaceful. A rare choice, it is used very, very occasionally in Russia.

Ostromir

A fiery and mythological name, Flegont is the Russian variation of the Greek name Phlegon. In Greek mythology, it is the name of one of the horses that pull the chariot of Helios (the sun god), while in the Bible, it appears as the name of one of the seventy disciples in the New Testament. 
 
A notable bearer of this form is the 19th century writer, Flegont Arsenyevich Arsenyev, and the name also appears in the 1848 play, Fortune's Fool by Ivan Turgenev.

Flegont

A less floral form of Anthimos, Antim is a Bulgarian and Romanian variation of the Greek name. Derived from the element anthos, meaning "flower, blossom", this variant feels closer to Artem or Anton and may therefore feel more practical for every day usage.
 
Borne by the 17th century saint, Anthim the Iberian (known for both his language skills and founding on the first Georgian printing press), he gives his name to a Rugby Cup, contested whenever Romania and Georgia play against each other.
 
The name is also used in India, possibly as a form of Anthony or the Sanskrit antima meaning "last, final", often using in phrases such as "at last I've succeeded".

Antim

A spelling variation of vintage Percy or a Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Russian form of the Greek Persey. In the first case, the pronunciation is PUR-see, while in the second, it would likely be PEER-say.

Persey

An international form of the Basque name Xavier, Ksawery ranks in the Polish Top 50 in a recent year. The original form of the name comes from a place name meaning "new house" or "castle" and was borne by a 16th century saint, while this form has been notably worn by voice actor and radio speaker Ksawery Jasieński. Ksaweryna is a feminine form.

Ksawery

A feminine form of the popular Polish name, Ksawery, Ksaweryna ultimately derives from the Basque Xavier. The original form comes a place name meaning "new house" or "castle" and was borne by a 16th century saint. 
 
While its masculine counterpart ranked in the Polish Top 50 in a recent year, this form is rare.

Ksaweryna

One of many international variations of John, Janar is an Estonian form, adapted from the feminine Jana. Not to be confused with the feminine Kazakh name, which is transliterated into English with the same spelling, this masculine variant is notably borne by basketball player Janar Soo and footballer Janar Toomet. 

Janar

A variation of Maria and Mary, used as a diminutive in Estonia, Croatia, Macedonia, The Netherlands, and Slovenia, and occasionally as a respelling of the Irish Máire. In the first instance, it may be pronounced MA-reh, while in the latter, it may be more like MA-r(y)uh. 
 
It could also be a form of Maren or Mairead, pronounced MEHR (like the word for a female horse).
 
Actress Mare Winningham is a notable bearer, while the name may have been made more familiar thanks to the TV show, Mare of Easttown, starring Kate Winslet. The character's full name is Marianne in the show.

Mare

The original Polish version of Casimir, borne by many Polish kings, Kazimierz is a strong and regal sounding choice. Also the name of the patron saint of Poland and Lithuanian, it ranks in the Top 100 in Poland. 
 
Derived from the Slavic elements kaziti and miru, it means "destroyer of peace", though it is occasionally interpreted as meaning "proclaimer of peace" instead.

Kazimierz

A feminine form of the strong and saintly Kazimierz, this variant is currently not as popular in Poland as its masculine counterpart. Kazia is a charming diminutive. 

Kazimiera

Made up of the Slavic elements kaziti and miru, Kazimieras is the Lithuanian variant of Kazimierz and Casimir. Meaning "destroyer of peace", it may be more favorably interpreted as "proclaimer" instead. 
 
It comes with the zippy short form Kazys (ku-ZEES)

Kazimieras

A succinct and charming short form of the Lithuanian Kazimieras, a variation of the stately and saintly names, Kazimierz and Casimir. Derived from the Slavic elements kaziti and miru, its long form means "destroyer (or proclaimer) of peace".
 
Notable bearers of the name include Lithuanian former president Kazys Grinius, writer and poet Kazys Boruta, and basketball player Kazys Petkevičius.

Kazys

Boyish nicknames are back in style for girls, and Nate is one of the more unusual entries in the Billie & Frankie club. While a short form of Natalie would more likely be Nat, Nate can definitely work.

Nate

Strong, confident, and energetic, Valya is a Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Valentina and Valentin. Derived from the Latin valens, it is associated with strength and health, and Valentine's Day.

Valya

An alternative spelling for Jadzia, a diminutive of Jadwiga, the Polish form of Hedwig. 

Jadziah

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 58)