Category Archives: Croatian Names

Elvira

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gothic fashion portrait with dramatic lighting
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  • Origin: Visigothic
  • Meaning: Uncertain
  • Usage: Albanian, Bashkir, Bosnian, Catalan, Croatian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Galician, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Portuguese, Provençal, Romanian, Romansch, Russian, Scandinavian, Slovene, Tatar
  • Transcription: Эльвира (Russian)
  • Gender: Female
  • Eng (el-VY-rah); Sp (el-VEE-rah; el-BEE-rah)

A 19th-century gem and late 20th-century vampiric monikor, the name is of uncertain meaning but has its origins in Medieval Spain. It is likely of Visigothic origins, possibly derived from Gailawera or Geloyra, which stem from gails (happy) or (spear); and wers (friendly, agreeable, true).

It should be noted that Elvira (Latin: Iliberri or Iliberis) was an ancient Iberian and later Roman city located near present-day Granada, in Andalusia, southern Spain. However, in this case, it is likely derived from an Iberian source, meaning “new town.”

It was a popular female name among the royal family of Castille & León, producing two queens who bore this name, Elvira of Castile, Queen of León (965–1017) and Elvira of Castile, Queen of Sicily (c. 1100–1135).

It was later used in Mozart’s 1787 opera Don Giovanni (libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte), in which Donna Elvira is one of Don Giovanni’s former lovers. This likely popularized the name outside of the Iberian peninsula.

By the turn of the 20th-century, Elvira was not unknown in the United States, though never overly popular, it peaked at #254 in 1914, but fell out the Top 1000 by 1981, the same year Elvira, Mistress of the Dark came on the scene.

The real Halloween link began in 1981, when actress Cassandra Peterson created the camp-horror TV hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark for a Los Angeles late-night show (Movie Macabre).

Dressed in a plunging black gown with a beehive of jet hair, Elvira presented old horror movies with sardonic humor — blending Gothic sex appeal, irony, and B-movie kitsch.

The character became a pop-culture icon: Halloween TV specials, films, pinball machines, comic books, and even perfume lines immortalized her as the Queen of Halloween.

Outside the United States, this name does not have such associations. In Sweden, it has been among the top 100 girls’ since 1998 and peaked at #25 in 2014. As of 2024, it came in at #40.

It’s a popular name in the Balkans, even spinning off a male form of Elvir (Bosnian and Albanian).

Other forms include:

  • Elbire (Basque)
  • Elvíra (Czech/Slovakian)
  • Elviira (Estonian, Finnish)
  • Elvire (French)
  • Elwira (Polish, also an alternate Swedish spelling, Sorbian)
  • Elvīra (Latvian)
  • Elvyra (Lithuanian)

Obscure Lithuanian male forms are the Lithuanian, Elvyras; the Polish, Elwir(o), and the Italian Elviro.

Name days: August 25 (Austria), July 16 (Croatia), February 10 (Hungary), January 25 (Spain), March 1 (Sweden), November 21 (Slovakia), August 13 (Latvia).

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Ptolomy

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ancient columns at kom ombo temple egypt
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  • Origin: Greek Πτολεμαῖος
  • Meaning: “aggressive, warlike.”
  • Gender: Male
  • Eng (PTAHL-e-mee, TAHL-e-mee)

Derived from the ancient Greek male name Πτολεμαῖος (Ptolemaios), which in turn comes from πτόλεμος (ptólemos), meaning “war” or “battle.”

The word ptólemos is an older Aeolic dialectal form of πόλεμος (pólemos), the standard Classical Greek word for “war,” sharing the same root with the English word, “polemic.”

Ptolemy I Soter (367–283 BCE) was a general of Alexander the Great and later became Pharaoh of Egypt, founding the Ptolemaic Dynasty (323–30 BCE). This dynasty ruled Egypt for nearly three centuries and ended with Cleopatra VII, the most famous bearer of the family’s legacy.

Claudius Ptolemaeus (Ptolemy) (2nd century CE) was the famed Greek astronomer, mathematician, and geographer of Alexandria, whose Almagest shaped Western astronomy for over a millennium.

According to the Book of 1 Maccabees (135/4 BC), Ptolemy of Jericho betrayed his father-in-law, Simon the High Priest, by murdering him and his two sons while they slept as guests under his roof. This act of treachery is used in Dante Alighieri’s The Inferno, in which the ninth circle of Hell is called Ptolomea after him, a frozen realm reserved for those who betray their guests.

Ptolomy is also the name of an early Christian saint.

In the English-speaking world, Ptolomy has been used on and off since the 18th-century. It appeared in the U.K’s top 500 boys’ names in 2004, ranking in at #906.

A modern bearer is American author, Ptolemy Tompkins. Celebrity couple Gretchen Mol and Tod Williams bestowed this on their son in 2007.

Common English short forms include: Tollie, Tolly, and Tal.

International Variations

  • Butlimus بطليموس (Arabic)
  • Ptghomeos Պտղոմեոս (Armenian)
  • Ptaljemej Пталемей (Belarusian)
  • Ptolemej Птолемей (Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Ukrainian)
  • Ptolemeu, Tolomeu (Catalan)
  • Ptolomeos ⲡⲧⲟⲗⲉⲙⲉⲟⲥ (Coptic)
  • Ptolemy (Another English form)
  • Ptolémée (French)
  • Tolomaes (Gaelic)
  • Ptolomeu (Galician, Occitanian, Romanian)
  • Ptolemäus (German)
  • Ptolemaiosz (Hungarian)
  • Ptólmæos (Icelandic)
  • Tolomeo (Italian, Spanish)
  • Tolommeo (Italian)
  • Ptolomaeus (Latin)
  • Ptolemajs (Latvian)
  • Ptolemėjus (Lithuanian)
  • Ptolomey, Ptolomej Птолемей (Macedonian, Russian)
  • Tolomé (Piedmontese)
  • Ptolomeusz (Polish)
  • Ptolomeu (Portuguese)
  • Ptolemæus (Scandinavian)
  • Ptolomaidh (Scottish-Gaelic)
  • Tulumeu (Sicilian)
  • Ptolomaj (Slovenian)
  • Ptolemeo, Ptolomeo (Spanish)
  • Batlamyus (Turkish)

Female forms include the sensual Ptolemaïs (Πτολεμαΐς) and the Italian, Tolomea.

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Prosper, Prospera

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  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: “prosper.”

The name Prosper comes from the Latin Prosperus, meaning “fortunate,” “successful,” or “prosperous.” It is derived from the Latin verb prōspere, “to cause to thrive, to be favorable,” ultimately from pro- (“forward”) and spēs (“hope”).

Saint Prosper of Aquitaine (c. 390–455) was a Christian writer and theologian who defended the doctrines of Saint Augustine. His influence made Prosper a well-established saint’s name in medieval France, especially in Aquitaine and Provence.

In France, the name was relatively common at the turn of the 20th-century, ranking in at #96 in 1902. In the USA, it never ranked as high but did make it to the Top 1000, peaking at # 886 in 1881.

Several other early Christian saints and bishops also bore the name.

The most famous literary bearer is Prospero, the magician-duke in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest (1611).

The Puritans occasionally used Prosper as well.

The designated name-days include: June 25th (Denmark & France), September 2nd (Croatia), June 23rd (Poland).

International Variations

  • Prósperu (Asturian)
  • Pròsper (Catalan)
  • Prosper (Croatian, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Polish, Scandinavian)
  • Prospert (French, rare)
  • Prospero (Italian)
  • Prosperino (Italian)
  • Prosperus (Latin)
  • Próspero (Portuguese, Spanish)

Female Forms

  • Prospera (Italian)
  • Prosperina (Italian)
  • Prospère (French)
  • Prospérine (French)
  • Próspera (Portuguese, Spanish)

Diminutives

  • Prop (English)
  • Sperry (English)
  • Rino (Italian)

Sources

Lovorko, Lovorka

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  • Origin: Croatian
  • Meaning: “laurel tree.”

Both names come directly from the Serbo-Croatian word, lovor, meaning “laurel tree.” It is a vernacular translation of Lawrence and Laura. However, Croatian parents likely used it due to its direct associations with the tree.

  • Lovorko – masculine form, designated name-day is September 28th.
  • Lovorka – feminine form, designated name-day is August 10th.

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Giselher

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  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: “hostage army.”
  • Gender: Male
  • Germ Pron: (GEE-zehl-hair)

Giselher is an early Old High German masculine name formed from two classic Germanic elements, gisel (pledge) and hari (army).

The best-known figure is King Giselher of Burgundy, a 5th-century ruler who appears in both history and legend. He is immortalized as a character in the Nibelungenlied, the great Middle High German epic, alongside his brothers Gunther and Gernot.

It was also the name of an 11th-century Bishop of Madgeburg who succeeded St. Adalbert.

It is found in records as the name of Teutonic Knights in Estonia, Latvia and Poland. It experienced a minor revival in the early 20th-century but is quite rare in contemporary German-speaking countries.

Its Anglo-Saxon version of Gislhere was borne by an 8th-century Bishop of Selsey.

A more recent bearer was German composer, Giselher Klebe (1925-2009).

Its designated name-day in Austria is September 28th.

Variation & International Variations

  • Gizelher (Croatian, Polish)
  • Giselher (Czech; Estonian; French, pronounced JEEZ-e-LAIR; Polish)
  • Giseler, Gisiler (German)
  • Giselcaro (Italian)
  • Gislaharius (Late Latin)
  • Gizelhers (Latvian)
  • Gislahario (Spanish)

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Tarquin

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Tarquin the Elder consulting Attus Nevius the Augur by Sebastiano Ricci
  • Origin: Etruscan
  • Meaning: Unknown
  • Gender: Male

Tarquin is the English form of Tarquinius, the Latin family name of a powerful Etruscan dynasty that ruled early Rome. The name’s exact Etruscan root is uncertain, but it may derive from the ancient city of Tarquinii (modern Tarquinia) in central Italy, itself probably from an older Etruscan personal or place name.


Two Roman kings bore this name: Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome, and Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last king, whose overthrow in 509 BCE led to the founding of the Roman Republic.


While rare, Tarquin appears in English records from the Renaissance onward, often chosen for its aristocratic and classical resonance. Italian retains Tarquino as a given name. The name has also been used in literature and drama —Shakespeare famously tells the story of “The Rape of Lucrece” by Tarquin. It was recently used as the name of Tarquin Blackwood in Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles.

Modern bearers include British journalist Tarquin Hall (b. 1969), the middle name of American actor, Timothy Tarquin Hutton (b. 1960).


Today Tarquin feels distinctive and slightly theatrical, blending ancient Roman history with a sleek, modern sound. If you are looking for a fuller name for Quinn, this may be the perfect choice for you.

International variations include:

  • Tarkinio (Basque)
  • Tarquini, Tarquí (Catalan)
  • Tarkvinije Тарквиније (Croatian, Serbian)
  • Tarquinius (Dutch, Latin)
  • Tarquin (English, French)
  • Tarquinio, Tarquino (Italian, Spanish)
  • Tarkvinijus (Lithuanian)
  • Tarkwiniusz (Polish)
  • Tarquínio, Tarquino, Tarquim (Portuguese)
  • Tarkvinij (Slovene)

Female Forms

Its Italian feminine form of Tarquinia was borne by Italian Renaissance singer, Tarquinia Molza (1542-1617). This would also make a fabulous fuller version for the nickname Quinn. Another Italian female form is Tarquina.

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Berislav, Berislava

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  • Origin: Slavic
  • Meaning: “to take glory.”

Berislav is primarily a Croatian male name, which is composed of the Old Slavic elements, bĭrati (to take, to gather), and slav (glory).

In Croatia, it is among the Top 500 Male Names.

While it could potentially be used in other Slavic countries, I could not find any evidence that this is used outside Croatia. I am all ears if anyone can find any info for me.

The designated name-days are February 25th and September 27th.

Diminutive forms include: Berica, Beri, Berko & Slavko.

The feminine form is Berislava.

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Neilos, Nilus, Nilo, Nile, Nila

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  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: “Nile River.”
  • Eng (NYE-lus); Grk (NAY-lose); It (NEE-lo)

The name ultimately comes from Greek Νεῖλος (Neílos), the ancient Greek name of the River Nile.

In Ancient Egyptian, the river was called jtr-w (Iteru, “Great River”). The Greek form Neílos may reflect a Semitic root n-h-r, meaning “river,” which is also the source of Hebrew nahar and related words.

In Greek mythology, Neilos was personified as the river-god of the Nile, one of the Potamoi (river deities).

The Latinized form Nilus became a well-known monastic name and is borne by several Christian saints, including St. Nilus the Syrian, a disciple of St. John Chrysostom, and St. Nilus of Sinai.

Nil is the Slavic form used for males. In Turkey, the same name arose independently as a female given name of the same etymology.

In Italian, it may also be used as a short form of Danilo.

An Italian feminine form is Nila.

Nile is an English name that was often used in reference to the surname. It may make an interesting modern adaptation for parents looking for a cool but modern saints name.

Other forms include:

  • Nilos, Nylos ܢܝܠܘܣ,Ⲛⲓⲗⲟⲥ, نيلوس (Assyrian, Coptic, Egyptian-Arabic)
  • Nil Ніл Ніл (Belarusian, Catalan, French, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Ukrainian)
  • Neilos Νείλος (Greek)
  • Nilo (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish)
  • Nilus (English, German, Latin)
  • Nile (English)

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Željko, Željka

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  • Origin: Serbo-Croatian; Slovene
  • Meaning: “to want; wish; desire.”
  • Pron (ZHAY-koh; ZHAY-kah)

Željko is a masculine name derived from the Serbo-Croatian verb, željeti (to want; to desire; to wish).

Its feminine form is Željka. A more unusual feminine form is Željkica.

Both names were popular in Slovenia and Croatia in the 1970s. The designated name-days are May 23rd and September 19th.

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Sozon

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  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: “to save; to heal.”
  • Gender: Male

The name is derived from the Greek σώζω, meaning, “to save; to heal.” It was an epithet of the god Zeus.

An early Christian martyr of Asia Minor also bore this name. According to legend, he took the name Sozon upon his conversion to Christianity.

Other forms of the name include

  • Sazon Сазон (Belarusian)
  • Sozon Σώζων (Greek, Russian, Ukrainian)
  • Sozont Созонт (Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Ukrainian)

Sources