Eastern European Names
Across 72 pages
of 72
Wenczeslaw
Polish
"glory of the Wends"
Should only be used when singing Christmas carols.
Venceslav
Venceslav is a masculine name with Slavic origins, representing a variant of Wenceslaus or Václav. The name derives from the Slavic elements 'venets' meaning 'wreath, crown, glory' and 'slav' meaning…
Waclaw
Wacław is a traditional Polish masculine name derived from the Slavic name Václav (Wenceslaus in English). The name combines two Slavic elements: 'vyache' meaning 'more' or 'greater,' and 'slava'…
Yakov
Russian variation of Jacob
"supplanter"
What a difference a couple of letters make: Old World version of most popular name never quite made it out of the shtetl.
Yasha
Russian
"supplanter"
A less-known member of the Sasha-Misha family, deriving from Yakov, the Russian form of Jacob.
Juri
Juri is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Estonian and Finnish contexts, it's a form of George, ultimately derived from Greek "georgos" meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." In…
Iwo
Iwo is a masculine name with Japanese and Polish origins, creating an interesting cross-cultural connection. In Japanese contexts, it relates to Iwo Jima, the volcanic island known for the historic…
Zako
Hungarian variation of Zachariah
If for whatever reason you're wed to the whole Zachary concept, this variation -- either as a proper name or a nickname -- is one way to make it new.
Zavid
Russian, meaning unknown
This Old Russian name is mentioned in several genealogical sources, but few modern name books. Pronounced either to rhyme with David, or as zah-VEED, it can be a highly unusual alternative.
Zbigniew
Polish
"to dispel anger"
One of the first authentically Slavic names many Americans heard (but couldn't pronounce), via 1960s to 70s former presidential advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. Even after all these years, it is still…
Zenon
Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and Zeus
"sky, shine; gift of Zeus"
Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.
Zinov
Zinov is a masculine name likely derived from the Slavic name Zinovy or Zinoviy (Зиновий), which comes from the Greek name Zenobios, meaning "life of Zeus." The name has roots in Eastern European…
Zinoviy
Zinoviy is a masculine name of Russian and Ukrainian origin, derived from the Greek name Zenobios, which combines 'Zeus' (the supreme Greek god) and 'bios' (life). The name can be interpreted as…
Zhivago
Russian literary name
"life"
For lovers of Pasternak's great doctor, a lively middle name choice, one made by actress Nia Long.
Ziven
Slavic, Hebrew
"vigorous, lively; bright, radiant"
Ziven is a sleek choice with multicultural origins and a bright, energized feel to it. From its Slavic roots, it likely derives from the South Slavic word, živ meaning "alive, living", making it a…
Zoltan
Hungarian
"sultan"
Though a common name in Hungary, with the spelling Zoltán, the relatively rare Z sound is striking to English speakers. Penn Gillette used the Zolten spelling for his son; it was also the name of…
Shura
Russian, diminutive of Alexandra
"defending men"
Shura is a unisex Russian nickname for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, themselves forms of Alexander. Less known in the English-speaking world than Sasha, it's also more assertive — probably because of that…
Annik
Russian diminutive of Annika or Ann
"grace"
Annik is a pleasing combination of unusual and familiar. As first Ann and now Anna become overused, you might want to explore its wilder variations such as this Eastern European short form.
Katarina
Slovak; Swedish; Serbian; Croatian; Slovenian, variation of Katherine
"pure"
The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.
Katerina
Macedonian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Katerina and its near-identical twin Katarina have a pleasingly lilting European sound, though for some Americans they may be uncomfortably close to Katrina, which will be linked for a long time to…