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Popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina

gabhart
By gabhart
Updated Mon Feb 26 2024
  1. Zara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew and Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Lana

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Alana

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Una

    • Origin:

      Latin, Irish, or Old Norse

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Dalia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Spanish, or Swahili

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  5. Hana

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Tarik

    • Origin:

      Turkish, Bosnian variation of Tariq, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "the one who knocks at the door"

    • Description:

      This bold and straightforward name is a common variant of Tariq in Turkey and Bosnia and is used as an alternate spelling in Arabic-speaking countries.
  7. Faris

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "rider, knight"

    • Description:

      A great uncommon English-Arabic crossover choice, easily pronounceable internationally.
  8. Marta

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "lady"

    • Description:

      Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
  9. 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.
  10. Lamija

    • Description:

      Lamija is a feminine name with Bosnian origins, derived from the Arabic word 'lamia' meaning 'radiant' or 'brilliant.' In Bosnian culture, the name carries connotations of beauty and light. The name gained popularity in Bosnia and other Balkan countries during the late 20th century and continues to be chosen by parents seeking a name with both cultural significance and a melodious sound. While primarily used in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name has gradually spread throughout Eastern Europe and among diaspora communities. Lamija combines elegance with cultural heritage, making it a meaningful choice that balances tradition and contemporary appeal.
  11. Hamza

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "lion or strong"

    • Description:

      Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
  12. Esma

    • Origin:

      Turkish, Bosnian

    • Meaning:

      "supreme"

    • Description:

      Turkish and Bosnian form of the Arabic name Asma, with the powerful meaning of "supreme".
  13. 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.
  14. Iman

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "faith"

    • Description:

      One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
  15. Ilma

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Hungarian, Spanish, or literary Quenya

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  16. Ema

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, Slovene, Croatian, Bosnian, Czech, Slovak, and Lithuanian variation of Emma, German

    • Meaning:

      "universal"

    • Description:

      Common form of Emma found in the Baltic and Slavic states.
  17. Sumeja

    • Description:

      Sumeja is a feminine name primarily found in Bosnian, Albanian, and other Balkan cultures. It derives from the Arabic name Sumayyah (سمية), which belonged to one of the first martyrs of Islam and is considered the first female martyr in Islamic history. The name's meaning is debated, with some sources suggesting 'high above' or 'elevated,' while others connect it to 'slim' or 'slender.' Sumeja gained significant popularity in Bosnia and surrounding regions following the Bosnian War in the 1990s, representing cultural and religious identity for many Muslim families. The name carries connotations of strength, resilience, and faith. While well-known in the Balkans, it remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, giving it a distinctive quality internationally.

  18. 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.
  19. Harun

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "exalted"

    • Description:

      Arabic form of Aaron, featured in the tales of The Thousand and One Nights. The name Harun also appears several times in the Quran.
  20. Ena

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of several names

    • Description:

      Baby names that started off as diminutives -- Ena, Ita, Etta -- seem too insubstantial for a modern female.