Popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Zara
Origin:
Hebrew and ArabicMeaning:
"blooming flower; God remembers"Description:
Zara has multiple origins, but most notably is a variation of Zahrah, a name derived from the Arabic zahrah, meaning "blooming flower." Zara can also be a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina, a feminine form of the Hebrew Zechariah. Today, Zara is heavily associated with the Spanish fast-fashion empire of the same name.
- Lana
Origin:
English diminutive of AlanaMeaning:
"rock or handsome"Description:
Popularized in the 1940s by Lana (born Judy) Turner, today Lana is synonymous with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Although it has been rising steadily since the early 2000s, Lana still sits in the popularity "sweet spot" – familiar, but not overused. Simple, sleek and seamlessly international, it makes a great choice.
- Una
Origin:
Latin, Irish, or Old NorseMeaning:
"one; lamb; happy"Description:
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in several European countries but less common in the US. The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but Una sleeker.
- Hana
Origin:
Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, JapaneseMeaning:
"grace, work, glow, flower"Description:
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 "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.
- Faris
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"rider, knight"Description:
A great uncommon English-Arabic crossover choice, easily pronounceable internationally.
- Dalia
Origin:
Hebrew, Spanish, or SwahiliMeaning:
"branch; dahlia; gentle"Description:
Similar in sound to the flower name Dahlia, this gentle but distinctive name, heard in many cultures, hits that Golden Mean between too popular and too unusual. In Lithuanian mythology, Dalia is a goddess of weaving and of fate.
- Hamza
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"lion or strong"Description:
Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
- Imran
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"prosperity; exalted nation"Description:
A Quranic name especially popular in South Asia, it is also used across Europe, from Bosnia to France, from Spain to England. It appears in the Quran as the name of Maryam's (the Virgin Mary) father, and as the father of Moses, making it a counterpart to Hebrew Joachim or a variant of Hebrew Amran. The meaning of Imran isn't listed in the Quran, however, from its Hebrew roots, it could mean "exalted nation", or it could come from the Arabic word eimran meaning "prosperity".
- Marta
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, SlavicMeaning:
"lady"Description:
Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
- Ilma
Origin:
Finnish, Hungarian, Spanish, or literary QuenyaMeaning:
"air; starlight"Description:
A name that's unknown in the US and Britain but is popular as a nature name in Finland. May also be known as a Hungarian variation of Amelia and a Spanish form of Wilhelmina.
- Adna
Description:
Adna is a feminine name with ancient roots and cross-cultural significance. In Hebrew, it means 'pleasure' or 'delight,' while in Bosnian it's associated with 'paradise.' The name appears in the Bible as a male name belonging to several minor figures, but in modern usage, it's more commonly given to girls. Adna has maintained a consistent presence across several cultures, particularly in the Balkans and Middle East. Its brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers. The name's simple two-syllable structure and soft consonants give it a gentle, flowing quality. Despite its ancient origins, Adna feels contemporary and distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.
- Ena
Origin:
Diminutive of several namesDescription:
Baby names that started off as diminutives -- Ena, Ita, Etta -- seem too insubstantial for a modern female.
- Arslan
Description:
Arslan is a masculine name of Turkish and Central Asian origin meaning 'lion.' The name carries strong connotations of courage, leadership, and nobility across many Turkic and Persian-influenced cultures. Throughout history, Arslan has been used as a name for rulers and warriors, reflecting its associations with strength and bravery. The name appears in various forms across different regions, including Aslan (made familiar to many through C.S. Lewis's 'Chronicles of Narnia'). Arslan has maintained consistent use in Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and other countries with Turkic heritage. While still relatively uncommon in Western countries, the name has been gaining recognition for its powerful meaning and distinctive sound. The straightforward two-syllable pronunciation and strong consonants give Arslan a bold, memorable quality that resonates across cultural boundaries.
- Arman
Origin:
Form of Herman or Armen, French, Armenian, Persian, Kazakh, TurkishMeaning:
"soldier; land of Armenia; wish, hope, purpose"Description:
One of those truly international names, with a similar feel to Roman, Arthur, and Artem, without the popularity, in the US at least. The name is in fact in the Top 50 in Armenia and Bosnia, while it also features in the UK Top 800.
- Vedad
Description:
Vedad is a masculine name with Bosnian and Arabic origins. The name carries meanings related to love, affection, and friendship, derived from Arabic roots. Popular primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other parts of the Balkans with Muslim heritage, Vedad has historical significance while maintaining contemporary appeal. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its two syllables and balanced consonant-vowel pattern. While not extensively used globally, it holds deep cultural significance within Bosnian communities and is occasionally found throughout the Middle East. Vedad represents qualities of loyalty, warmth, and strong personal connections, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with both cultural depth and positive connotations.
- Esma
Origin:
Turkish, BosnianMeaning:
"supreme"Description:
Turkish and Bosnian form of the Arabic name Asma, with the powerful meaning of "supreme".
- Daris
Description:
Daris is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Persian name Dariush (meaning 'possessing goodness'), be a variation of Darius, or stem from the Greek 'doron' meaning 'gift.' In some cultures, it's connected to the Arabic 'daris,' meaning 'student' or 'one who studies.' The name maintains a consistent presence across various cultures while never becoming extremely common. Daris has a strong yet approachable quality, with its crisp consonants balanced by soft vowel sounds. Its cross-cultural nature makes it versatile, functioning well in diverse linguistic environments. The name carries an intellectual connotation in Arabic contexts, while in Western usage it often appeals to parents seeking something distinctive with historical resonance.
- Ema
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, Slovene, Croatian, Bosnian, Czech, Slovak, and Lithuanian variation of Emma, GermanMeaning:
"universal"Description:
Common form of Emma found in the Baltic and Slavic states.
- Merjem
Description:
Merjem is a feminine name primarily used in Bosnian, Albanian, and other Balkan cultures as a variant of Maryam/Mary. It derives from the Aramaic name Miriam and refers to the mother of Jesus in Islamic tradition, where Maryam is highly revered as the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran. The name carries connotations of purity, devotion, and motherly love across both Christian and Muslim contexts. While not widely used outside the Balkans and parts of the Middle East, Merjem represents an interesting cultural bridge between Islamic and Christian naming traditions. The name has maintained steady but modest usage in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Albania, appealing to families seeking a name with religious significance that works across different faith communities.
- Mahir
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"skilled"Description:
A dynamic Arabic name with a strong meaning.