Croatian Baby Names
Discover beautiful Croatian baby names for girls and boys, from Croatia’s most popular newborn names to traditional favourites, with meanings and easy pronunciation guidance.
Croatia
Popular and traditional Croatian names, with official 2025 newborn-name statistics.
Finding a Croatian Baby Name
Croatian naming brings together long-established South Slavic forms, Christian and European classics, and short modern favourites. Names such as Luka, Ivan, Lucija and Marija sit comfortably beside Nika, Mia, Rita and Roko.
Most Popular Baby Names in Croatia
The Croatian Ministry publishes the 50 most common names of children born in Croatia. The figures below come from its full-year table covering 1 January–31 December 2025.
| Rank | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nika372 babies | Luka622 babies |
| 2 | Mia355 babies | Jakov514 babies |
| 3 | Rita353 babies | Toma441 babies |
| 4 | Lucija324 babies | David398 babies |
| 5 | Marta321 babies | Niko384 babies |
| 6 | Mila307 babies | Ivan375 babies |
| 7 | Ema281 babies | Petar360 babies |
| 8 | Eva270 babies | Roko353 babies |
| 9 | Sara259 babies | Noa339 babies |
| 10 | Lara228 babies | Mateo335 babies |
Beautiful Croatian Names to Consider
Lucija
Meaning: Light
A Croatian form related to Lucia and a 2025 Top 10 name.
Nika
Meaning: Victory
Croatia’s #1 girls’ name in 2025.
Jakov
Origin: Croatian form of Jacob
Croatia’s #2 boys’ name in 2025.
Šimun
Origin: Croatian form of Simon
A traditional Croatian form with distinctive spelling.
Croatian Pronunciation Guide
These are simple English-language approximations; a native speaker or audio source is best for exact pronunciation.
Naming a Baby in Croatia
Parents have broad choice
Government guidance says parents may choose the name they wish, provided the chosen word or words constitute a name.
30 days to determine the name
The Ministry states that parents have 30 days from birth to determine the child’s name.
Browse Croatian Baby Name Ideas
Search 73 Croatian and Croatia-familiar names by name, meaning or gender.
Nika
GirlVictory
Mia
GirlBeloved
Rita
GirlPearl
Lucija
GirlLight
Marta
GirlLady
Mila
GirlGracious; dear
Ema
GirlWhole; universal
Eva
GirlLife
Sara
GirlPrincess
Lara
GirlEuropean favourite
Tena
GirlCroatian short-form name
Elena
GirlBright; shining
Ana
GirlGrace
Dora
GirlGift
Hana
GirlGrace
Franka
GirlFree
Laura
GirlLaurel
Vita
GirlLife
Una
GirlOne; also associated with the Una River
Lana
GirlEuropean short-form name
Nora
GirlHonour; light
Petra
GirlRock; stone
Iva
GirlCroatian feminine name
Klara
GirlBright; clear
Marija
GirlCroatian form of Maria
Sofia
GirlWisdom
Cvita
GirlFlower; blossom
Leona
GirlLioness
Lena
GirlEuropean short-form name
Tara
GirlName with several cultural origins
Karla
GirlFree woman
Maša
GirlSlavic form of Maria
Dunja
GirlQuince fruit
Iris
GirlIris flower; rainbow
Katja
GirlSlavic form of Katherine
Luce
GirlLight
Luka
BoyCroatian form of Luke
Jakov
BoyCroatian form of Jacob
Toma
BoyTwin
David
BoyBeloved
Niko
BoyVictory of the people
Ivan
BoyGod is gracious
Petar
BoyRock; stone
Roko
BoyCroatian form associated with Roch/Rocco
Noa
BoyRest; comfort
Mateo
BoyGift of God
Šimun
BoyCroatian form of Simon
Matej
BoyGift of God
Mihael
BoyWho is like God?
Fran
BoyCroatian short-form name
Josip
BoyGod will add
Leon
BoyLion
Lovro
BoyCroatian form of Lawrence
Marko
BoyCroatian form of Mark
Borna
BoyHistoric Croatian name
Vito
BoyLife
Karlo
BoyFree man
Teo
BoyShort form of Teodor
Ante
BoyTraditional Croatian form related to Anthony
Jan
BoyGod is gracious
Filip
BoyLover of horses
Gabriel
BoyGod is my strength
Bruno
BoyTraditional European name
Rafael
BoyGod has healed
Viktor
BoyVictor; conqueror
Nikola
BoyVictory of the people
Dominik
BoyOf the Lord
Marin
BoyOf the sea
Emanuel
BoyGod is with us
Franko
BoyFree
Tin
BoyEstablished Croatian given name
Matija
BoyGift of God
Andrija
BoyManly; brave
Related Baby Name Guides
Croatian Baby Name FAQs
What are the most popular baby names in Croatia?
For children born in Croatia during 2025, official government statistics list Nika as the most common girls’ name and Luka as the most common boys’ name.
What was the most popular Croatian girl name in 2025?
Nika ranked first, with 372 registrations.
What was the most popular Croatian boy name in 2025?
Luka ranked first, with 622 registrations.
How do you pronounce Croatian letters?
As a simple English guide, š is similar to sh, ž resembles the sound in measure, č is similar to ch, and ć is a softer Croatian sound.
How long do parents in Croatia have to name a newborn?
Croatian government guidance states that parents have 30 days from birth to determine a child’s name.
Can parents in Croatia choose any baby name?
Government guidance says parents may choose the name they wish, provided the chosen word or words constitute a name.
Croatian Baby Name Sources
We prioritise Croatian government material for popularity rankings and official naming guidance.
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