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Croatian baby names carry a deep sense of tradition, culture, and family values. Rooted in Slavic, Latin, and Christian heritage, these names reflect strength, beauty, and identity. Parents often choose Croatian baby names not just for their melodic sounds but also for their meaningful origins tied to history, nature, and religion. Whether you’re looking for modern, unique, or traditional options, Croatian names offer a wide variety that beautifully blends heritage and individuality.
Croatian Boy Names with Meanings
Croatian boy names often symbolize bravery, wisdom, and a connection to nature or faith. Many of these names have Slavic roots, while others are influenced by Latin or Biblical traditions.
Adrian – A name of Latin origin meaning “from the Adriatic Sea.”
Branko – Derived from Slavic roots, it means “protection” or “defender.”
Damir – Means “giver of peace,” symbolizing harmony.
Ivan – The Croatian form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
Luka – Popular biblical name meaning “light” or “from Lucania.”
Stjepan – The Croatian version of Stephen, meaning “crown” or “garland.”
Zoran – Means “dawn,” representing a new beginning.
Dario – Of Persian origin, meaning “possessor of good.”
Tomislav – A royal name meaning “glory of Tom.”
Marko – Croatian form of Mark, meaning “warlike” or “dedicated to Mars.”
Hrvoje – Derived from “Hrvat,” meaning “Croat.”
Ante – Croatian form of Anthony, meaning “priceless.”
Nikola – Meaning “victory of the people.”
Krešimir – A traditional name meaning “to proclaim peace.”
Slaven – Means “glorious” or “famous,” linked to Slavic heritage.
Goran – Means “mountain man,” inspired by nature.
Josip – Croatian form of Joseph, meaning “God will add.”
Petar – Means “rock” or “stone,” biblical in origin.
Franjo – Equivalent to Francis, meaning “free man.”
Mario – Derived from Latin, meaning “warlike” or “manly.”
Drago – Means “precious” or “dear.”
Emil – A name meaning “eager” or “rival.”
Matej – Croatian variation of Matthew, meaning “gift of God.”
Tihomir – Symbolizes “quiet peace.”
Zlatko – Means “golden,” associated with value and beauty.
Radovan – Means “joyful” or “happy.”
Lovro – Derived from “laurel,” symbolizing victory.
Mislav – Means “glorious thought.”
Siniša – Refers to “son,” a traditional Slavic name.
Domagoj – Means “home battle,” linked to strength and protection.
Vedran – Means “cheerful” or “clear.”
Alen – Croatian version of Alan, meaning “handsome” or “noble.”
Božidar – Means “gift of God.”
Nenad – Meaning “unexpected,” given to a long-awaited child.
Mirko – Means “peaceful glory.”
Zdeslav – Symbolizes “here is glory.”
Filip – Meaning “lover of horses.”
Ilija – Croatian form of Elijah, meaning “my God is Yahweh.”
Stanko – Diminutive of Stjepan, meaning “glory.”
Darko – Means “gift” or “present.”
Vjekoslav – Meaning “eternal glory.”
Andrija – Croatian form of Andrew, meaning “manly” or “brave.”
Željko – Means “wish” or “desire.”
Dalibor – Means “battle of distance.”
Roko – Croatian form of Roch, meaning “rest.”
Damjan – Form of Damian, meaning “to tame.”
Borislav – Means “battle glory.”
Leopold – Meaning “brave people.”
Tvrtko – Ancient Croatian royal name, symbolizing strength.
Milivoj – Means “gracious soldier.”
Kristijan – Croatian form of Christian, meaning “follower of Christ.”
Croatian Girl Names with Meanings
Croatian girl names often carry meanings of beauty, purity, love, and nature. Many are influenced by saints, virtues, and poetic traditions.
Ana – Croatian form of Anna, meaning “grace.”
Marija – A popular biblical name meaning “beloved” or “drop of the sea.”
Ivana – Feminine of Ivan, meaning “God is gracious.”
Katarina – Meaning “pure,” derived from Catherine.
Lucija – Means “light,” symbolizing brightness.
Helena – Means “shining light” or “torch.”
Danijela – Feminine of Daniel, meaning “God is my judge.”
Nina – A short, elegant name meaning “little girl” or “dreamer.”
Mira – Means “peace” or “world.”
Tea – Short form of Dorotea, meaning “gift of God.”
Valentina – Means “healthy” or “strong.”
Lana – Means “wool” or “bright.”
Dorotea – Meaning “gift of God.”
Jelena – Slavic version of Helen, meaning “bright” or “torch.”
Vesna – Means “spring,” symbolizing renewal.
Tatjana – Means “fairy queen” or “princess.”
Kristina – Meaning “follower of Christ.”
Mirna – Means “peaceful.”
Anica – Diminutive of Ana, meaning “grace.”
Dragica – Means “precious” or “dear.”
Ema – Croatian version of Emma, meaning “universal.”
Veronika – Means “true image.”
Sofija – Meaning “wisdom.”
Petra – Feminine of Petar, meaning “rock.”
Božena – Means “divine” or “blessed.”
Lea – Biblical name meaning “weary” or “delicate.”
Martina – Feminine of Martin, meaning “warlike.”
Nada – Means “hope.”
Tamara – Means “date palm tree.”
Slavica – Refers to Slavic heritage, meaning “glory.”
Antonija – Feminine of Anthony, meaning “priceless.”
Biljana – Means “herb” or “medicinal plant.”
Magdalena – Meaning “from Magdala.”
Olga – Means “holy” or “blessed.”
Renata – Meaning “reborn.”
Jasna – Means “clear” or “bright.”
Zrinka – Derived from “ray” or “spark.”
Ljiljana – Means “lily flower.”
Cvita – Means “flower.”
Dragana – Meaning “dear” or “beloved.”
Milena – Means “gracious” or “dear.”
Silvija – Means “from the forest.”
Gabrijela – Feminine of Gabriel, meaning “God is my strength.”
Tihana – Means “quiet” or “calm.”
Ružica – Means “little rose.”
Adrijana – Feminine of Adrian, meaning “from the Adriatic.”
Ksenija – Means “hospitable” or “welcoming.”
Marina – Means “from the sea.”
Lidija – Meaning “from Lydia,” an ancient place name.
Anđela – Means “angel” or “messenger.”
Dunja – Refers to “quince fruit.”
Severina – Meaning “stern” or “serious.”
Most Common Croatian Surnames or Last Names
Croatian surnames reflect ancestry, geography, and family occupations. Many are derived from given names, natural features, or historical titles.
Horvat – Means “Croat,” one of the most common surnames.
Kovačević – Derived from “blacksmith,” symbolizing craftsmanship.
Babić – Means “descendant of grandmother” or “child of Babo.”
Marić – Derived from the personal name Marija or Mario.
Petrović – Means “son of Petar.”
Novak – Refers to a “newcomer” or “settler.”
Jurić – Derived from the name Juraj (George).
Tomić – Means “descendant of Tomo.”
Knežević – From “knez,” meaning “prince” or “duke.”
Filipović – Means “son of Filip.”
Božić – Refers to “Christmas,” symbolizing a child born during the season.
Nikolić – Means “descendant of Nikola.”
Perić – Derived from the name Pero (Peter).
Stanić – Means “descendant of Stane.”
Živković – Means “son of Živko,” related to life.
Matić – Derived from the name Matej (Matthew).
Šarić – Originating from “šar,” meaning “colorful” or “spotted.”
Vuković – Means “son of Vuk,” symbolizing wolf.
Đurić – Derived from Đuro (George).
Radić – Means “worker” or “laborer.”
Lovrić – Means “son of Lovro.”
Pavlović – Derived from Pavle (Paul).
Grgić – From the personal name Grga (Gregory).
Dragić – Means “dear one.”
Milić – From “milo,” meaning “gracious” or “dear.”
Ivanković – Means “descendant of Ivanko.”
Blažević – Derived from Blaž (Blaise), meaning “lisping.”
Marković – Means “descendant of Marko.”
Varga – Refers to a shoemaker or cobbler.
Lončar – Means “potter.”
Pavić – Derived from Pavle (Paul).
Ćosić – Means “young man” or “lad.”
Janković – Derived from Janko, meaning “son of Janko.”
Krstić – Means “cross” or “son of Krsto.”
Antolić – Derived from Anto (Anthony).
Vidović – Means “son of Vid.”
Stipić – Derived from Stipe (Stephen).
Banović – Refers to a “ban,” a medieval title of nobility.
Tadić – Derived from Tado or Tadija (Thaddeus).
Mihaljević – Means “son of Mihalj” (Michael).
Pranjić – Means “descendant of Pranjo.”
Jerković – Derived from Jerko, meaning “son of Jerko.”
Barbić – Refers to a bearded person or family.
Bogdanović – Means “son of Bogdan,” meaning “God-given.”
Šimić – Derived from Šime (Simon).
Delić – Means “descendant of Delo.”
Trifunović – Derived from Trifun, meaning “three leaf.”
Matijević – Means “son of Matija.”
Jurčević – From the name Jurče, a variant of George.
Brkić – Refers to someone with a mustache.
Klarić – Derived from “klar,” meaning “clear” or “bright.”
FAQs on Croatian Baby Names
What makes Croatian baby names unique?
They often combine Slavic roots with influences from Latin, Greek, and Biblical traditions, making them meaningful and melodic.
Are Croatian names still popular worldwide?
Yes, many names like Luka, Ivan, and Ana are widely recognized and used internationally.
Do Croatian names have religious significance?
Many Croatian baby names are inspired by saints, biblical figures, and Christian values.
How are Croatian surnames formed?
Most surnames are patronymic (from the father’s name) or occupational (from family trades).
Are there nature-inspired Croatian baby names?
Yes, names like Goran (mountain), Mira (peace), and Cvita (flower) are connected to nature.
Croatian baby names beautifully reflect history, culture, faith, and family identity. From powerful boy names that symbolize strength to graceful girl names tied to beauty and virtues, parents have a wide variety of options rooted in rich traditions. Surnames further carry the legacy of heritage, making Croatian names meaningful choices for families worldwide.
