Eastern European Names

Borne by a 14th-century Lithuanian ruler, known for his military power, Kęstutis is associated with strength, endurance, and survival, via the word kęsti. It was originally used as a diminutive form of other names containing the element, such as Kęsgailas, Kęsmantas, Kęstautas and Kęsvilas.

Kęstutis

A simple yet impactful word name from its Lithuanian and Latvian roots, Rasa is associated with morning dew, lending it a fresh feel. In this case, it would be pronounced RAH-sa in Latvia and RU-sa in Lithuania.
 
Also used in Indonesia, it can additionally mean "flavor, essence" (pronounced RA-SA).

Rasa

A gentle Lithuanian nature name, Ramunė is the word for chamomile, a herb known to calm and soothe. In fact, it does bear similarity to the Lithuanian word ramus, meaning "calm" and "tranquil".

Ramunė

A gentle and handsome Lithuanian name, Ramūnas is derived from the word ramus meaning "calm, tranquil, quiet", paired with a patronymic suffix (-ūnas). Similar to the word for chamomile (ramunė), it has a soothing quality and is a familiar name in its native Lithuania. 
 
Notable bearers include basketball player Ramūnas Šiškauskas and cyclist Ramūnas Navardauskas.

Ramūnas

An intriguing Lithuanian word name with a flowing sound, Aidas means "echo, reverberation", which could make it a particularly appropriate choice for a baby who happens to look very much like a relative, or for the son of a musical family. Notable bearers include retired footballer Aidas Preikšaitis, artist Aidas Bareikis, and figure skater Aidas Reklys. It remains a familiar choice in Lithuania. 

Aidas

A strong and mighty Lithuanian name, Mantvydas blends the elements mantus or manta with vyd, to create a name that conveys both wisdom and savviness. It was notably borne by a 14th-century Grand Duke of Lithuania, while more recently, it has been associated with MMA fighter Mantvydas Perednis.

Mantvydas

Combining the elements rimti and either mantus, this name blends wisdom and strength with a sense of serenity. Notably borne by basketball player Rimantas Kaukėnas, it comes with short form Rimas.

Rimantas

A succinct Lithuanian name, derived from rytas meaning "dawn, morning", this name may appeal to those wanting something symbolic of new beginnings, starting over, and sunrise. Popular back in the 90s, notable bearers include singer Rytis Cicinas, journalist Rytis Zemkauskas, and basketball player and journalist Rytis Kazlauskas.

Rytis

A colorful name with lively sound to match, Vaiva is derived from the Lithuanian word for "rainbow" (vaivorykštė). Popularized by the writer Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius in 1922, it has mythological connections, Vaiva being both a manifestation of the Pagan goddess, Laima, and a bride of the Baltic thunder god, Perkūnas. 
 
Notably borne by actress Vaiva Mainelytė, the first syllable is said to rhyme with the end of "alive", making this an interesting possibility for those who like Viola, Maia, Ivy, and Iris.

Vaiva

Strong and elegant, Aryvdas is a Lithuanian name, familiar in its native country. Notably borne by basketball player, Arvydas Sabonis, it means "also to see" or "also to know", giving it a air of wisdom and curiosity. 

Arvydas

A name with a flowing sound with a memorable meaning, Alvydas blends the element al meaning "all, every" with vyd meaning "to see". As such, it may be associated with omniscience, curiosity, wisdom, and the all-seeing eye. 
 
Familiar in Lithuania, it is notably borne by actor, poet, and director Alvydas Šlepikas and basketball player Alvydas Pazdrazdis.

Alvydas

Popular in Lithuania in the 2000s and 2010s, Rugilė comes from the word rugiai meaning "rye". Pronounced with a hard G sound in the middle, a notable bearers is footballer Rugile Rulyte.

Rugilė

A Bulgarian name with a warm, rich sound, Cheresha comes from the word for cherry. Also the name of a village in Bulgaria, it's use quietly as a given name in its native country.

Cheresha

Monja is a name with two separate origins. From its Russian roots, it's an alternative form of Monya and Manya, both used diminutives of the classic Maria. In this case, it would mean "beloved", "drop of the sea", or "bitterness", due to Maria's uncertain etymology.
 
From its Slovene roots, however, Monja is a diminutive of Monika, likely meaning "advisor" or possibly "single, one", and while in Russia, it is used as a short form, in Slovenia, it may be used as a stand alone choice.
 
The name is also used in Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands, again as a form of Monika, Mona, or Maria.

Monja

Kitija is a zippy, Latvian short form of Katrīna, itself a variation of Katherine. It was a popular choice in its native country in the 90s and 2000s when it ranked in the Top 100. Basketball player Kitija Laksa and cross country skier Kitija Auzina are notable bearers.

Kitija

A grand Lithuanian name, Tautvydas was the declarative meaning of "to see the people" or "to see the nation", though it may also be interpreted as "the people see". Notable bearers include basketball player Tautvydas Sabonis and cross country skier, Tautvydas Strolia. 

Tautvydas

A variation of Ragna, ultimately from the Norse element regin meaning "reign", this form is used in Norway and Estonia. A notable bearer is speed skater Ragne Wiklund.

Ragne

Best associated with a Khan Tervel, a historic ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 8th-century, Tervel is a regal and stately name that also appears on the map in Bulgaria as the name of several places. The exact meaning of the name is unknown, though some sources suggest it could mean mean "to destroy", "strong", or "healthy".
 
Snowboarder Tervel Zamfirov is a notable bearer.

Tervel

Kaimar is an Estonian name with several possible meanings. On one hand, is may be a masculine form of Kairi, a blend of Kaia (from Katherine) and Mari (from Maria), in turn meaning "pure + beloved". It could equally be a mix of Kai (used as a short form of Gerhard, Nicolaas, Cornelius or Gaius) and Marek or Marko (forms of Mark). As such, meanings could be "brave spear of Mars", "victory of the people of Mars", "horn of mars", or "to rejoice Mars", Mars being the Roman god of war.
 
It could even be a blend of the two options, for example, "pure of Mars" or "victory of the beloved people", though other sources suggest "Kai" comes for the Estonian word for quay or harbor, and "-mar" is borrowed from meri meaning sea, so the overall meaning would be "quay by the sea".

Kaimar

Stasys is the succinct and friendly short form of the grander Stanislovas, a Lithuanian form of the Stanislav, meaning "stand in glory" or "become glorious". Pronounced with the stu sound of stutter, it has been notably borne by singer Stasys Povilaitis and artist Stasys Eidrigevičius.

Stasys

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 60)