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Bulgarian baby names are known for their strength, cultural depth, and connection to Slavic traditions. Many names have roots in nature, faith, or noble qualities, making them both meaningful and timeless. From classic boy and girl names to common surnames, Bulgarian baby names beautifully reflect heritage, identity, and pride.
Bulgarian Boy Names with Meanings
Bulgarian boy names often symbolize courage, wisdom, and spiritual values. Many are inspired by history, folklore, or noble traits.
1. Boris – Meaning “fighter” or “warrior.”
2. Ivan – A classic name meaning “God is gracious.”
3. Dimitar – Derived from Demeter, the goddess of earth and harvest.
4. Georgi – Meaning “farmer” or “earthworker.”
5. Nikola – Meaning “victory of the people.”
6. Stoyan – Meaning “to stand” or “to stay firm.”
7. Hristo – Derived from Christ, meaning “follower of Christ.”
8. Petar – Meaning “rock” or “stone.”
9. Todor – Meaning “gift of God.”
10. Kiril – Meaning “lordly” or “noble.”
11. Asen – A historical Bulgarian royal name, meaning “safe.”
12. Angel – Meaning “messenger” or “angel.”
13. Velko – Meaning “great” or “big.”
14. Zlatan – Meaning “golden.”
15. Bozhidar – Meaning “gift of God.”
16. Radomir – Meaning “happy peace.”
17. Veselin – Meaning “cheerful” or “joyful.”
18. Plamen – Meaning “flame.”
19. Yordan – Refers to the River Jordan, meaning “flowing down.”
20. Stefan – Meaning “crown” or “garland.”
21. Vasil – Meaning “royal” or “kingly.”
22. Lyuben – Meaning “beloved.”
23. Stanislav – Meaning “to become glorious.”
24. Dobromir – Meaning “good peace.”
25. Dragomir – Meaning “precious peace.”
26. Kamen – Meaning “stone.”
27. Milen – Meaning “gracious” or “dear.”
28. Tsvetan – Meaning “flower” or “blossom.”
29. Radoslav – Meaning “happy glory.”
30. Vesko – A short form of Veselin, meaning “joyful.”
31. Zhivko – Meaning “alive” or “living.”
32. Blagoy – Meaning “gentle” or “kind.”
33. Valentin – Meaning “healthy” or “strong.”
34. Ognyan – Meaning “fire.”
35. Atanas – Meaning “immortal.”
36. Boyan – Meaning “warrior” or “fighter.”
37. Kalin – Meaning “viburnum tree.”
38. Rumen – Meaning “red-cheeked” or “healthy.”
39. Simeon – Meaning “God has heard.”
40. Trajan – Inspired by Emperor Trajan, meaning “enduring.”
41. Zhivodar – Meaning “giver of life.”
42. Emil – Meaning “eager” or “striving.”
43. Krasimir – Meaning “beautiful peace.”
44. Marin – Meaning “of the sea.”
45. Slavko – Meaning “glory.”
46. Viktor – Meaning “victor” or “winner.”
47. Yasen – Meaning “ash tree.”
48. Denis – Derived from Dionysius, meaning “god of wine.”
49. Lubomir – Meaning “love and peace.”
50. Zdravko – Meaning “healthy.”
Bulgarian Girl Names with Meanings
Bulgarian girl names are often graceful, poetic, and inspired by nature, virtues, or faith.
1. Elena – Meaning “bright” or “shining light.”
2. Maria – A timeless name meaning “beloved” or “wished-for child.”
3. Vesela – Meaning “cheerful” or “happy.”
4. Kalina – Inspired by the viburnum tree.
5. Ivana – Feminine form of Ivan, meaning “God is gracious.”
6. Desislava – Meaning “to achieve glory.”
7. Yana – Meaning “God is gracious.”
8. Ralitsa – A floral name meaning “larkspur.”
9. Snezhana – Meaning “snowy” or “snow woman.”
10. Tsvetanka – Meaning “little flower.”
11. Slavia – Meaning “glory.”
12. Violeta – Meaning “violet flower.”
13. Nadezhda – Meaning “hope.”
14. Mila – Meaning “gracious” or “dear.”
15. Zlatka – Meaning “golden.”
16. Dobrinka – Meaning “kind” or “good.”
17. Radoslava – Meaning “happy glory.”
18. Albena – Meaning “white” or “bright.”
19. Kristina – Meaning “follower of Christ.”
20. Borislava – Meaning “glorious battle.”
21. Lyubov – Meaning “love.”
22. Gergana – Derived from Georgi, meaning “farmer.”
23. Stanka – Meaning “to stay” or “to remain.”
24. Liliya – Meaning “lily flower.”
25. Valentina – Meaning “strong” or “healthy.”
26. Plamena – Feminine form of Plamen, meaning “flame.”
27. Slavena – Meaning “glorious.”
28. Radostina – Meaning “joyful.”
29. Veselina – Meaning “happy” or “cheerful.”
30. Simona – Meaning “God has heard.”
31. Anelia – Meaning “angel.”
32. Katya – A short form of Ekaterina, meaning “pure.”
33. Raina – Meaning “queen” or “pure.”
34. Boyka – Meaning “fighter.”
35. Diana – Refers to the Roman goddess of the moon.
36. Teodora – Meaning “gift of God.”
37. Magdalena – Meaning “from Magdala.”
38. Dilyana – Meaning “dill plant.”
39. Viktoria – Meaning “victory.”
40. Pavlina – Feminine form of Pavel, meaning “small.”
41. Stefka – Feminine form of Stefan, meaning “crown.”
42. Zornitsa – Meaning “morning star.”
43. Iskra – Meaning “spark.”
44. Penka – Meaning “rock.”
45. Doroteya – Meaning “gift of God.”
46. Velina – Meaning “great” or “bright.”
47. Rositsa – Meaning “dew.”
48. Elitsa – Meaning “fir tree.”
49. Denitsa – Meaning “morning star.”
50. Siyana – Meaning “radiance” or “glow.”
Most Common Bulgarian Surnames or Last Names
Bulgarian surnames usually end with “-ov,” “-ev,” or “-ski,” often indicating lineage, origin, or profession.
1. Ivanov – Meaning “son of Ivan.”
2. Dimitrov – Meaning “son of Dimitar.”
3. Georgiev – Meaning “son of Georgi.”
4. Petrov – Meaning “son of Petar.”
5. Nikolov – Meaning “son of Nikola.”
6. Hristov – Meaning “son of Hristo.”
7. Stoyanov – Meaning “son of Stoyan.”
8. Angelov – Meaning “son of Angel.”
9. Vasilev – Meaning “son of Vasil.”
10. Todorov – Meaning “son of Todor.”
11. Stefanov – Meaning “son of Stefan.”
12. Marinov – Meaning “son of Marin.”
13. Yordanov – Meaning “son of Yordan.”
14. Atanasov – Meaning “son of Atanas.”
15. Radev – Meaning “son of Rado.”
16. Bozhkov – Meaning “son of Bozhko.”
17. Zlatanov – Meaning “son of Zlatan.”
18. Slavov – Meaning “son of Slav.”
19. Velikov – Meaning “son of Veliko.”
20. Boyanov – Meaning “son of Boyan.”
21. Kalinov – Meaning “son of Kalin.”
22. Krasimirov – Meaning “son of Krasimir.”
23. Milenov – Meaning “son of Milen.”
24. Ognyanov – Meaning “son of Ognyan.”
25. Rumenov – Meaning “son of Rumen.”
26. Simeonov – Meaning “son of Simeon.”
27. Valentinov – Meaning “son of Valentin.”
28. Veselinov – Meaning “son of Veselin.”
29. Zhivkov – Meaning “son of Zhivko.”
30. Tsvetanov – Meaning “son of Tsvetan.”
31. Blagoev – Meaning “son of Blagoy.”
32. Dragomirov – Meaning “son of Dragomir.”
33. Dobromirov – Meaning “son of Dobromir.”
34. Stanislavov – Meaning “son of Stanislav.”
35. Lubomirov – Meaning “son of Lubomir.”
36. Zdravkov – Meaning “son of Zdravko.”
37. Pavlov – Meaning “son of Pavel.”
38. Penkov – Meaning “son of Penko.”
39. Dobrev – Meaning “son of Dobri.”
40. Kolev – Meaning “son of Kola.”
41. Borisov – Meaning “son of Boris.”
42. Trajanov – Meaning “son of Trajan.”
43. Hristov – Derived again from “son of Christ.”
44. Kamenov – Meaning “son of Kamen.”
45. Zlatarov – Meaning “son of the goldsmith.”
46. Denkov – Meaning “son of Denko.”
47. Filipov – Meaning “son of Filip.”
48. Kostov – Meaning “son of Kosta.”
49. Daskalov – Meaning “son of a teacher.”
50. Markov – Meaning “son of Mark.”
FAQs on Bulgarian Baby Names
What makes Bulgarian baby names unique?
They are deeply rooted in Slavic culture, often symbolizing strength, virtues, and nature.
Do Bulgarian names have religious meanings?
Yes, many names are inspired by Christianity, with names like Hristo, Maria, and Teodora being popular.
Why do most Bulgarian surnames end with -ov or -ev?
These suffixes indicate lineage, meaning “son of” or “descendant of.”
Are Bulgarian baby names popular outside Bulgaria?
Yes, many Bulgarian names like Boris, Ivan, and Elena are loved internationally.
Can Bulgarian names be modern and traditional at the same time?
Absolutely, many names balance cultural heritage with modern appeal, such as Kalin, Mila, and Yana.
Bulgarian baby names beautifully capture tradition, family ties, and cultural pride. With strong boy names, graceful girl names, and meaningful surnames, these names reflect the richness of Bulgarian heritage while offering timeless inspiration for parents worldwide.
