Slavic Names for Girls

Alina

Slavic, Germanic, Arabic, Scottish

"bright, beautiful; noble; delicate, soft; defending men"

Alina has been drifting up the US popularity charts since the early 1980s, and now sits in in the Top 200. But Alina's real strength is in its international flexibility: The name ranks highly in a…

Adelina

Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Slavic variation of Adeline

"noble, nobility"

Adelina is back in the Top 1000 after an absence of nearly a century, thanks to the meteoric rise of her sister name Adeline -- along with Adelaide, Adele, and Ada. Some parents choose Adelina…

Angela

Latin

"angel"

Angela was a Top 10 name from 1965 to 1979, the fifth most popular name for three years, and staying in the double digits until the turn of the 21st century. Today, though, Angelina or Angelica would…

Tiana

Diminutive form of Tatiana

A pretty princess-connected choice, with a compact, no-frills appearance, Tiana's debut in the US charts was likely thanks to actress Tiana Alexandra-Silliphant making her own debut in the 1975 movie…

Aleena

Arabic

"soft, delicate"

A twist on Alina or Alena, this name popped into the Top 500 for the first time in 2014. Also an Arabic name, meaning "soft, pliable, delicate".

Hana

Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese

"grace, work, glow, flower"

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means…

Milan

Italian place name or Slavic

"the middle of the plain; gracious, dear; union"

In many Slavic and other European countries, Milan is purely a boys’ name , but in the US, it's also popular for girls – no doubt inspired by the fashionable Italian city. It entered the Top 1000 for…

Romi

Hebrew

"my height; my exaltation"

Despite their similarities, Romi and Romy are not related etymologically. Romy is a diminutive of Rosemary, while Romi is an independent Hebrew name and a popular baby girl name in Israel. However,…

Danica

Slavic

"morning star"

While Danica may sound similar to Dana, Danielle, and Daniela, Danica is not a variation. Danica, a delicate and unique Slavic name meaning "Morning Star," is synonymous with Venus in many countries.…

Raina

Slavic and German variation of Regina

"queen"

Strong and solid, with a touch of foreign intrigue, it's the most popular of the rain-related names, with a variety of pronunciations—RAY-na, rah-EE-na, or RY-na. Alternate spellings Reyna and Rayna…

Ester

Variation of Esther, Hebrew

"star"

This simplified spelling is a bit too polyester, though this is also the authentic Slavic version of an Old Testament name that's being rediscovered.

Inger

Inger is a Scandinavian feminine name with ancient Norse origins, derived from the name Ingrid or from the Norse god Ing (also known as Freyr), the god of fertility and peace. The name means…

Marcelina

Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, from Latin

"warlike"

A sweeter take on Marcella.

Ivana

Feminine variation of Ivan

A rarely used Slavic name until the Czech-born ex-Mrs. Trump took it over the top. Daughter's name Ivanka adds a dollop of charm.

Lala

Slavic

"laurel"

If it's possible for a name to be too musical, this one is.

Zora

Serbo-Croatian

"dawn"

Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Spelled Zorah, it is a biblical place name, and is also the…

Romona

Romona is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Ramona, which originated as the feminine form of Ramón, a Spanish name derived from the Germanic elements "ragin" (advice) and "mund"…

Wanda

Slavic or German

"shepherdess; wanderer"

Rarely heard, and when it is, usually attached to a witch. Historically, though, Wanda was a legendary eighth century queen of Poland, and in literature it is the central character of Ouida's…

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…

Estzer

Estzer appears to be a rare variant or alternative spelling of the name Eszter, which is the Hungarian form of Esther. The original name Esther comes from Persian, possibly meaning "star" or from the…