Ukrainian Given Names: Origins, Spellings, and Meanings

The Origins of Ukrainian Given Names

The Ukrainian naming tradition essentially consists of two major groups. The first group comprises names with Old Slavic roots. These names are often composed of two elements that describe qualities such as peace, glory, or faith. The second major group consists of names that reached present-day Ukraine from the Byzantine Empire through Orthodox Christianity. These names mostly have Ancient Greek, Latin, or Hebrew origins.

An important characteristic of Ukrainian names is their specific phonology, which differs from other East Slavic languages. For instance, the letter "г" is pronounced as an "h" in Ukrainian (not as a "g"), and instead of an "e" or "a", an "o" or "i" is frequently found. This leads to distinctive Ukrainian spellings when the names are transcribed into the Latin alphabet.

Ukrainian Given Names for Girls

Here you will find a selection of Ukrainian names for girls along with their respective origins:

• Bohdana: This name has Old Slavic roots. It is composed of the elements "bog" (God) and "dan" (given). The documented meaning is "given by God."
• Daryna: The name traces back to the Old Persian name Darius, which entered the East Slavic sphere via Greek. The underlying word root means "holding firmly to the good" or "possessing."
• Kateryna: This is the Ukrainian form of Katherine. The name originates from Ancient Greek. The frequently cited translation "the pure one" (from Greek "katharos") is a common interpretation rather than an established name history, as the name's actual origin remains debated among scholars.
• Nadiia: A name of Slavic origin. It is the direct translation of the Ancient Greek name Elpis or the Latin Spes. The word meaning is "hope."
• Oksana: Oksana is documented as the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Xenia. The underlying Greek word "xenos" means "foreign" or "hospitable."
• Olena: This is the Ukrainian variant of the name Helen. The name has Ancient Greek roots. The underlying Latin word root is translated as "torch," "radiance," or "sunbeam."
• Solomiya: The name is the Ukrainian form of Salome. It traces back to the Hebrew word "shalom," whose documented meaning is "peace."
• Svitlana: A name from the Slavic linguistic area. It is derived from the word "svit," which means "light." The meaning of the name is accordingly "the bright one" or "the light one."
• Vira: Like Nadiia, Vira is also a literal translation from Greek (Pistis) or Latin (Fides). The Slavic word "vira" means "faith."
• Zlata: This name has Old Slavic roots and is derived from the word "zlato." The documented word meaning is "gold."

Ukrainian Given Names for Boys

The blend of Slavic traditions and Byzantine influences is also evident in names for boys:

• Andriy: This is the Ukrainian form of Andrew. The name originates from Ancient Greek; the underlying word "andreios" means "manly" or "brave."
• Dmytro: The name traces back to the Ancient Greek name Demetrios. The documented meaning refers to belonging or being dedicated to the Greek earth goddess Demeter.
• Ivan: Ivan is the East Slavic form of John. The name has Hebrew roots ("Yochanan") and means "God is gracious."
• Lev: This name is rooted in the Slavic as well as the Greek and Latin linguistic spheres (Leo). The direct word meaning in all of these languages is "lion."
• Maksym: The Ukrainian spelling of the name Maximus. The underlying Latin root "maximus" means "the greatest."
• Mykola: This is the Ukrainian form of Nicholas. The name is composed of the Ancient Greek words "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people).
• Oles: The name is a short form that can be associated with various longer names such as Oleksandr (Alexander) or Oleksiy (Alexei). A single blanket meaning would be too imprecise here, as it depends on the respective root name.
• Ostap: Ostap is documented as the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Eustathios. The Greek word root means "steadfast" or "stable."
• Taras: A very popular name in Ukraine of Ancient Greek origin. The frequently suggested translation "the rebel" or "the troublemaker" is an interpretation. What is primarily established is its derivation from the ancient southern Italian city of Taras (today Taranto).
• Tymur: This name has Turkic roots and is widespread throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The documented word meaning is "iron."
• Vladyslav: A name of Old Slavic origin. It is composed of the words "vladeti" (to rule) and "slava" (glory).

Cyrillic Names in the Latin Alphabet: What to Keep in Mind

When you choose a Ukrainian given name, spelling is an important factor. Because Ukraine uses the Cyrillic alphabet, names must be transliterated into Latin letters for German documents (transcription). There are specific Ukrainian rules for this that differ from Russian transliteration.

The Ukrainian letter "г" is officially transcribed as "h." This means the name is written Bohdan, not Bogdan. The letter "и" is rendered as "y" in Ukrainian, resulting in spellings such as Dmytro or Kateryna. The Ukrainian "і", on the other hand, is written as "i" (as in Andriy). When selecting a Ukrainian name for your child, it is advisable to choose the official Ukrainian transliteration. This helps prevent later ambiguity in pronunciation, as the "y" in German is usually pronounced like a short "i" in these names.

Also consider how the given name sounds together with your last name. If the given name ends with the same letter that begins the last name, they can blend together when spoken aloud. Say the combination of first and last name aloud several times to get a feel for the rhythm.

How to Find the Right Name

Deciding on a given name takes time. It is best to start by creating a list of names that both of you generally like. Pay attention to spelling variants and consider whether the name will be easily understood in your day-to-day life.

To structure this process, you can use HeyName. You can connect your devices via an invitation and evaluate names independently as "Favorite," "Maybe," or "Not for us." Names that both of you mark as a favorite appear as mutual matches. Using the filter function, you can search specifically for names from certain linguistic backgrounds or of a specific length. This allows you to discuss your shortlist together and try out the given name directly with your last name until you find the right fit for your child.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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