BULGARIAN FEMALE NAMES

A LITTLE HISTORY Names are like people- they are born, live and then die. Traditions and history have preserved ancient names sounding beautiful

and mysterious today: Kalya, Sondoke, Koserhan, Kosara, Pagane Presiana, Ahinora; later mixed with the Christian era Theodora, Anna, Maria, Miroslava. Our neighbors of Byzantium bequeathed us the names Theodora, Efrosina, Teofana, Irina and others.

Ordinary people have changed royal names in their own way, continuing the tradition and their euphony. Some names have ancient origins and their roots lie in the pagan period - Gegrana, Kerry, Mara, Zoyka, Ralitsa, Albena, Bilyana.

In the Christian era it was pride and honor to wear the name of a saint that will protect you in your life time. Thus were born the likes Petka, Maria, Sofia, Elizabeta, Zlata, Fotina, Galina, Anna, Varvara, Marina, Nikulina and others.

AND WHY NOT SOME STATISTICS?

Twenty of the most frequent Bulgarian female names until 1980: Maria, Ivanka, Elena, Marika, Yordanka, Anna, Penka, Nadejda, Radka, Anka, Stoyanka, Stanka, Teodora, Emilia, Violeta, Donka, Rosica, Tsvetanka, Margarita, Todorka.

Twenty of the most frequent Bulgarian female names after 2009: Maria, Ivanka, Elena, Yordanka, Penka, Galia, Rosica, Daniela, Violeta, Desislava, Nadejda, Petya, Sylvia, Gergana, Rumyana, Emilia, Stefka, Iliana, Ralitsa, Mariana.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF OUR NAMES? SOME FACTS. ElenaElena is a popular female first name. Its origin is Greek - Ἑλένη.The etymology is ambiguous - is usually translated as "light“, “halo“, "glow", but also as chosen. The name has ancient origin. In Homer's epic "Iliad" "Helen“(Elena) plays one of the central roles. Subsequently, the name became popular. In the Christian world it is associated with Saint Queen Helena, after whom the women bearing that name celebrate their name day (May 21, Old Style). MariaThe name has ancient Egyptian origin. No one can say with absolute certainty what it meant originally. Some possible translations are "sea of bitterness", "obedience" and “one, who wants a child." Most likely, however, is that the name in Ancient Egypt meant "beloved."The true meaning of the name "Maria" is "love".

GerganaThe name comes from Georgi and means victorious! Gergana is feminine and sensual, she knows how to keep a man to herself! Anna Anna and also Ana, is a female name of biblical origin. Translated from Hebrew it means grace. People with this name celebrate name day on 9 December, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the "Conception of St. Anna '. DesislavaAncient name of XV-XVI centuries, the female form of Old-Bulgarian name Desislav. Means "to find fame," "achieve glory." Despina (lady) - glory. From Old Bulgarian: Desi - “to find, to accomplish." YordankaIn the name of the Jordan river in Palestine. Name day is celebrated on January 6 (St. Jordan’s Day). Then the Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany, a feast also known as St. Jordan’s Day. Yordanka is a female form of the male name Jordan.