60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Are you expecting a baby boy in the near future? If so, then you probably spend several hours per day searching the web and asking friends for ideas as you search for the perfect baby name to give them. 

Today, we’re going to take a break from the conventional American and Hebrew names that we see so often in the United States and appreciate some of the other unique baby boy names around the world. 

More specifically, we’re going to take an imaginary trip across Europe to see what type of European boy names we can find. And we’ll make several stops along the way, including France, Italy, Spain, and more!

RELATED: 70 Unique & Popular European Boy Names & Girl Names From Across the Continent

Some European boy names are already popular in the US. Just look at Mateo, a name with Spanish and Italian origins that ranked as the sixth most popular baby boy name in the US in 2023 with 11,229 births. 

Other good examples of European boy names that are already common in the US are Theodore, derived from the Greek name Theódoros (Θεόδωρος), and Henry, derived from the Old German name Heimirich. 

Now, let’s take a look at some unique European boy names that you don’t see in the US very often. 

European Boy Names With German Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (FamVeld)

The German Empire was founded in 1871 when Otto von Bismarck unified the German states under Prussian leadership, though it was split into East and West Germany at the start of the Cold War in 1949.

The country was reunified in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and is now a leading power in Europe, renowned for its economy, culture, traditions, holidays, technological advancements, and so much more.

In terms of size, Germany covers about 138,000 square miles, making it the seventh-largest country in Europe, and has a population of nearly 84 million people, which is more than any other country in the EU. 

Let’s take a look at some unique and popular European boy names that originated from Germany. 

10. Bernhard 

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Bernhard is of Germanic origin.

Derivation/Meaning: The name Bernhard is derived from the Old High German words beran (bear) and hard (brave, hardy), giving it the meaning “brave as a bear.”

Similar European Boy Names: Bernat, Bernard, Bertrand, Bernhardus, Bernardo, Bernhardt, Berend, Bjarne, Barend, Berthold.

9. Klaus

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Klaus is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Klaus is a diminutive of the name Nikolaus, which itself comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.”

Similar European Boy Names: Claudius, Claus, Klausen, Klaas, Clausell, Clovis, Claas, Kolja, Kalle, Koloman.

8. Dieterich

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Dieterich is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Dieterich is a variation of the name Dietrich, derived from the Old High German Theodoric, meaning “ruler of the people.”

Similar European Boy Names: Dirk, Diederick, Derek, Dierk, Detrich, Thierry, Theodoric, Theobald, Dominik, Dietmar.

7. Emmerich

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Emmerich is of Germanic origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Emmerich comes from the Old Germanic name Amalric, which combines amal (work) and ric (ruler), meaning “ruler of work.”

Similar European Boy Names: Emeric, Amerigo, Erick, Emir, Emory, Eryk, Emilian, Emilio, Enric, Emiel.

6. Gilbert

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Gilbert is of Germanic origin.

Derivation/Meaning: The name Gilbert is derived from gisel (pledge, hostage) and beraht (bright), meaning “bright pledge.”

Similar European Boy Names: Gilberto, Gildas, Giles, Gillaume, Guillem, Gilbertus, Gillian, Gilead, Gaspard, Gillis.

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5. Hans

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Hans is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Hans is a short form of the name Johannes, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”

Similar European Boy Names: Hannes, Jan, Johan, Janko, Jens, Heinrich, Hannes, Hanzo, Janos, Hansel.

4. Helmut

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Helmut is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: The name Helmut is derived from the Germanic elements helm (helmet, protection) and muot (spirit, courage), meaning “protector.”

Similar European Boy Names: Hermann, Hermanus, Helmuth, Helmar, Hamil, Heribert, Hubert, Hartmut, Hektor, Holger.

3. Jürgen

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Jürgen is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Jürgen is the German form of the name George, which is derived from the Greek name Georgios, meaning “farmer” or “earth-worker.”

Similar European Boy Names: Georg, Jurgen, Jorge, Joran, Joris, Goran, Jerzy, Jorick, Giorgos, Jarl.

2. Ludwig

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Ludwig is of Germanic origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Ludwig is derived from the Old High German name Hludwig, composed of hlud (famous) and wig (war), meaning “famous warrior.”

Similar European Boy Names: Lodewijk, Ludovico, Luis, Luigi, Ludek, Ludvik, Ludovik, Lodwig, Ludis, Ludovicus.

1. Manfred

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Manfred is of German origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Manfred comes from the Old German elements man (man) and fred (peace), meaning “man of peace.”

Similar European Boy Names: Mansur, Manny, Mandel, Manfredi, Manolo, Marius, Magnus, Mandeep, Manley, Manuel.

European Boy Names With French Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (Sergey Novikov)

France was founded in 843 AD with the Treaty of Verdun, which divided the Carolingian Empire among the grandsons of Charlemagne and marked the creation of West Francia, which is modern-day France. 

Over the centuries, the kingdom of West Francia grew in power and territory under the Capetian dynasty, solidifying its identity as a European powerhouse. Today, it’s the most visited country in the entire world. 

With an area of around 643,800 square kilometers (about 248,500 square miles) and population of about 68 million people, France is one of the largest countries in Europe both by land area and population. 

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite European boy names that originated from the French language!

10. Garçon

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Garçon is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Garçon is a French word meaning “boy” or “lad.” Though not commonly used as a name, it conveys youthful energy and vitality.

Similar European Boy Names: Gaston, Garry, Garrick, Garen, Garnet, Garen, Garland, Gaspard, Gareth, Garenzo.

9. Guillaume 

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Guillaume is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Guillaume is the French form of the name William, which comes from the Germanic Willahelm, meaning “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.”

Similar European Boy Names: William, Wilhelm, Wilmot, Gilman, Guy, Gilliam, Wilfred, Willard, Wilkie, Wycliffe.

8. Beau

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Beau is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Beau means “beautiful” or “handsome” in French, and it has become popular as a name symbolizing elegance and charm.

Similar European Boy Names: Boaz, Bodhi, Bastian, Benno, Benoit, Beaufort, Baudouin, Bowden, Bayard, Basil.

7. Perrin

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Perrin is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Perrin is a diminutive of the name Pierre, which is the French form of Peter, derived from the Greek Petros meaning “rock” or “stone.”

Similar European Boy Names: Pierre, Peregrine, Piers, Piero, Per, Petrus, Percy, Pearce, Preston, Peron.

6. Gaston

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Gaston is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Gaston is derived from the Old Germanic word gast meaning “guest” or “stranger.” It was popular in medieval France. 

Similar European Boy Names: Garson, Garrett, Gaspard, Gastone, Galen, Garnet, Griffin, Giles, Gaius, Gilead.

RELATED: 25 Rare European Boy Names From France That Sound Distinguished

5. Francois 

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: François is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: François is the French form of the name Francis, which comes from the Latin Franciscus, meaning “Frenchman” or “free one.”

Similar European Boy Names: Francis, Franco, Fernando, Francesco, Franz, Frantz, Franck, Frédéric, Ferran, Ferdinando.

4. Étienne 

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Étienne is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Étienne is the French form of the name Stephen, which comes from the Greek Stephanos, meaning “crown” or “garland.”

Similar European Boy Names: Stefan, Esteban, Stephane, Stefano, Sven, Etan, Espen, Edmond, Emilian, Emile.

3. Arnaud

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Arnaud is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Arnaud comes from the Germanic elements arn (eagle) and wald (rule), meaning “eagle ruler.”

Similar European Boy Names: Arnold, Arnulf, Arno, Arne, Arnott, Arnel, Arley, Arman, Armando, Arvind.

2. Thoreau 

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Thoreau is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Thoreau is thought to come from the Old French word thour meaning “Thor’s hill” or “Thor’s follower,” associated with the Norse god Thor.

Similar European Boy Names: Theo, Thorsten, Thierry, Thoren, Tobias, Thaddeus, Terrence, Thorne, Tristan, Thorvald.

1. Pierre

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Pierre is of French origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Pierre is the French form of the name Peter, which is derived from the Greek word Petros, meaning “rock” or “stone.”

Similar European Boy Names: Piero, Pierrot, Pierson, Pere, Pietro, Pedro, Preston, Pavel, Piers, Parry.

European Boy Names With Spanish Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (MillaF)

Spain was founded in 1492 when the Christian Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon conquered the Emirate of Granada, nearly two decades after monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile got married. 

Their marriage in 1469 had already united the two most powerful Christian kingdoms at the time, which only grew stronger when Ferdinand succeeded his father, John II, as King of Aragon 10 years later.  

Today, Spain is the fourth-largest country in Europe with an area of 505,990 square kilometers (around 195,364 square miles) and a population of around 47 million people, most of whom speak Spanish. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most classic European boy names that come directly from Spain. 

10. Lorenzo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Lorenzo is of Spanish and Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Lorenzo is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning “from Laurentum,” a city known for its laurel trees. Laurels were symbols of honor and victory in ancient Rome.

Similar European Boy Names: Laurent, Loris, Lorenz, Lawrence, Lorian, Leandro, Lionel, Luca, Luciano, Ludovico.

9. Salvador

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Salvador is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Salvador comes from the Latin word salvator, meaning “savior.” It is often used in reference to Jesus Christ in Christian tradition.

Similar European Boy Names: Salvatore, Sandro, Silvano, Santiago, Sebastian, Silas, Sergio, Samuel, Santos, Sander.

8. Álvaro

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Álvaro is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: The name Álvaro is derived from the Old Germanic name Alawar, meaning “guardian of all.”

Similar European Boy Names: Alvar, Alejandro, Aurelio, Alvaro, Alvis, Alonso, Arturo, Amaro, Anton, Adelardo.

7. Enrique

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Enrique is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Enrique is the Spanish form of Henry, which is derived from the Old Germanic Heimirich, meaning “home ruler.”

Similar European Boy Names: Henrik, Harry, Eric, Riccardo, Enrico, Emmerich, Hector, Ernest, Ernesto, Engel.

6. Gutierre

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Gutierre is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Gutierre is derived from the Germanic name Walter, meaning “ruler of the army.”

Similar European Boy Names: Walter, Gunther, Gualterio, Guillermo, Gonzalo, Gunter, Gregorio, Guido, Geraldo, Gerard.

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5. Santiago

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Santiago is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Santiago is derived from the Spanish words Sant (saint) and Iago, a form of James, meaning “Saint James.”

Similar European Boy Names: Sancho, Sergio, Silvano, Santino, Samson, Soren, Sandro, Salvatore, Silas, Sebastian.

4. Rogelio

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Rogelio is of Spanish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Rogelio is derived from the Germanic name Roger, which means “famous spearman.”

Similar European Boy Names: Rodrigo, Raul, Ramon, Romeo, Ronaldo, Roman, Ricardo, Rolf, Renzo, Roberto.

3. Arsenio

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Arsenio is of Spanish and Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Arsenio is derived from the Greek word arsen, meaning “manly” or “virile.”

Similar European Boy Names: Ari, Armand, Arnold, Aristo, Aristide, Asher, Aldo, Anatole, Aurelio, Andreas.

2. Maximiliano

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Maximiliano is of Spanish and Latin origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Maximiliano is derived from Maximus, which means “greatest” in Latin.

Similar European Boy Names: Maximo, Maxim, Maximilian, Maxence, Marius, Malcolm, Mateo, Marco, Mathis, Magnus.

1. Leandro

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Leandro is of Spanish and Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Leandro is derived from the Greek name Leandros, meaning “lion of a man.”

Similar European Boy Names: Leonardo, Lando, Luciano, Lorenzo, Lionel, Leon, Leo, Lysander, Landry, Ludovico.

European Boy Names With Italian Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (Faievych Vasyl)

The Roman Empire, which originated in Italy, was one of the most powerful empires in the history of the world, and dominated much of Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond from 27 BC to its fall in AD 476. 

After the fall of Rome, Italy was divided into various city-states and kingdoms for centuries, with the Papal States, Venice, Florence, and others playing significant roles in European politics, trade, and culture. 

Italy remained divided until the Risorgimento, a 19th-century political and social movement that led to the unification of Italy in 1861 under King Victor Emmanuel II. Rome became its official capital in 1870.

Today, Italy covers an area of approximately 301,340 square kilometers (around 116,350 square miles), making it one of the larger countries in Southern Europe, and has a population of 60 million people. 

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite European boy names that originated from the Italian language. 

10. Luca

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Luca is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Luca is derived from the Latin name Lucius, meaning “light” or “bringer of light.” 

Similar European Boy Names: Luciano, Luka, Lucas, Lucien, Louis, Louie, Lyle, Lysander, Laszlo, Leandro.

9. Matteo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Matteo is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Matteo is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of God.”

Similar European Boy Names: Matthias, Mateus, Mateo, Marcel, Marco, Massimo, Martino, Maurizio, Mattias, Marius.

8. Rocco

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Rocco is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Rocco is derived from the Old Germanic word hrok, meaning “rest.”

Similar European Boy Names: Rocky, Ricco, Roscoe, Remo, Ronan, Romano, Raul, Renato, Rodolfo, Rufino.

7. Alessio

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Alessio is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Alessio is the Italian form of Alexis, which comes from the Greek Alexios, meaning “defender.”

Similar European Boy Names: Alexis, Alessandro, Alexei, Alejo, Alphonse, Aldo, Alberto, Alonso, Andrea, Amadeo.

6. Giovanni

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Giovanni is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Giovanni is the Italian form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”

Similar European Boy Names: Gian, Gianluca, Giacomo, Gianmarco, Giuseppe, Giorgio, Giuliano, Giulio, Gino, Gennaro.

RELATED: 125 European Boy Names From Italy That Are Big on Romance

5. Massimo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Massimo is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Massimo is derived from the Latin word Maximus, meaning “greatest.”

Similar European Boy Names: Marco, Mauro, Mario, Matteo, Mattia, Maurizio, Melchior, Marcelo, Manuel, Magnus.

4. Nicolo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Niccolò is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Niccolò is the Italian form of Nicholas, derived from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.”

Similar European Boy Names: Nico, Nicola, Nikolai, Niles, Neil, Nino, Noe, Nelson, Nestor, Norberto.

3. Giacomo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Giacomo is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Giacomo is the Italian form of James, derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov, meaning “supplanter.”

Similar European Boy Names: Jacques, Jaime, Jakob, Giovanni, Julian, Gianluca, Giorgio, Gennaro, Giuseppe, Gino.

2. Armani

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Armani is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Armani is derived from the Germanic name Herman, meaning “army man” or “soldier.”

Similar European Boy Names: Amar, Amari, Armando, Amani, Armani, Amin, Arman, Aldo, Aurelio, Arnaud.

1. Galileo

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Galileo is of Italian origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Galileo comes from the Latin name Galilaeus, meaning “from Galilee,” a region in Israel.

Similar European Boy Names: Gael, Gabriel, Gilberto, Gaston, Gaius, Gianmarco, Giosue, Graciano, Garrick, Gideon.

European Boy Names With Greek Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (Sokor Space)

Ancient Greece, composed of city-states like Athens and Sparta, flourished from 8th century BC to 4th century BC, culminating in the conquests of Alexander the Great, who spread its culture across the world. 

After centuries of Roman and Byzantine rule, Greece fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Greece gained independence from the Ottomans in 1830, following a bloody, nine-year war. 

Since gaining independence, Greece has gradually expanded its territory to include regions like Thessaly, Crete, and Macedonia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, forming the country as it is known today.

Today, Greece covers an area of about 131,957 square kilometers (around 50,949 square miles), making it a relatively small country in Southern Europe, and has a population of just over 10.4 million people. 

Here are some popular and unique European boy names with ancient Greek origins. 

10. Ioannis

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Ioannis is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Ioannis is the Greek form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”

Similar European Boy Names: Giannis, Jonas, Janos, Ivan, Ian, Ivo, Yves, Iakovos, Isaac, Ilias.

9. Vasileios

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Vasileios is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Vasileios comes from the Greek word basileus, meaning “king.”

Similar European Boy Names: Basil, Vasily, Valerius, Viktor, Valens, Vasil, Vasko, Valentin, Vangelis, Vanya.

8. Yiorgos

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Yiorgos is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Yiorgos is the Greek form of George, derived from Georgios, meaning “farmer” or “earth-worker.”

Similar European Boy Names: Giorgos, Georgios, Jorge, Goran, Jerzy, Yuri, Yannis, Jurek, Ioannis, Giannis.

7. Evangelos

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Evangelos is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Evangelos comes from the Greek words eu (good) and angelos (messenger), meaning “good news” or “bringer of good news.”

Similar European Boy Names: Angelos, Vangelis, Elias, Eugenios, Emanuele, Emilios, Eusebios, Evripidis, Evangelis, Elio.

6. Spyridon

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Spyridon is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Spyridon comes from the Greek word spira, meaning “coil” or “spiral,” but it is also associated with St. Spyridon, a revered saint in the Orthodox Christian Church.

Similar European Boy Names: Spiros, Spyros, Spiridon, Stavros, Stephen, Sebastian, Stefano, Simon, Solon, Stephanos.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 130 European Boy Names Straight From Greece

5. Petros

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Petros is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Petros is the Greek form of Peter, derived from the Greek word petra, meaning “rock.”

Similar European Boy Names: Pietro, Pierre, Piero, Pedro, Pavel, Patrik, Pierson, Pere, Pavlos, Phineas.

4. Stefanos

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Stefanos is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Stefanos comes from the Greek word stephanos, meaning “crown” or “garland.”

Similar European Boy Names: Stefan, Stephen, Steven, Esteban, Stefano, Sven, Silas, Soren, Simon, Stellan.

3. Giannis

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Giannis is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Giannis is a modern Greek variation of the name Ioannis, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”

Similar European Boy Names: Gaius, Grigorios, Jonas, Janek, Gianluca, Giacomo, Ivan, Ioannis, Yannick, Janos.

2. Savvas

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Savvas is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Savvas is derived from the Greek word sabbas, meaning “elder” or “wise,” and is associated with Saint Sabbas.

Similar European Boy Names: Silas, Savas, Stavros, Samaras, Simon, Simeon, Solomon, Samir, Salvatore, Stephanos.

1. Zinon

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Zinon is of Greek origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Zinon is derived from the Greek word Zeus, the king of the gods, and Zeno, meaning “gift of Zeus.”

Similar European Boy Names: Zeno, Zenon, Zephyr, Zane, Xenos, Xander, Zev, Zayd, Zaccheus, Zoltan.

European Boy Names With Polish Origins

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (Patryk Kosmider)

Poland was founded in 966 AD when Mieszko I, the first historical ruler of Poland and the Duke of the Polans, converted to Christianity and unified several tribes under his rule at the start of the Piast dynasty. 

By the 14th century, Poland had become one of the largest and most powerful nations in Europe under the Jagiellonian dynasty, forming a union with Lithuania. Unfortunately, that dominance wouldn’t last long.

The country was divided and annexed by Russia, Prussia, and Austria in the late 18th century, but regained independence in 1918 before becoming a Soviet satellite state at the end of World War II. 

Poland transitioned to a democracy in 1989 and is now thriving as a republic. Today, the country covers an area of approximately 120,733 square miles and has a population of around 38 million people. 

Here are some of our favorite European boy names that are popular in Polish-speaking countries. 

10. Piotr

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Piotr is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Piotr is the Polish form of Peter, derived from the Greek word petra, meaning “rock.”

Similar European Boy Names: Pavel, Patrik, Pierson, Pedro, Piero, Pier, Per, Petrus, Pascal, Peregrine.

9. Mikolaj

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Mikołaj is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Mikołaj is the Polish form of Nicholas, which comes from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.”

Similar European Boy Names: Mikolaj, Maksym, Marcel, Michal, Mariusz, Marek, Mattias, Mateusz, Matteo, Magnus.

8. Tomasz

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Tomasz is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Tomasz is the Polish form of Thomas, which comes from the Aramaic word te’oma, meaning “twin.”

Similar European Boy Names: Thomas, Tomas, Tadeusz, Tobiasz, Timon, Timur, Teodor, Torsten, Tarek, Trevor.

7. Szymon

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Szymon is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Szymon is the Polish form of Simon, derived from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning “he has heard.”

Similar European Boy Names: Simon, Simeon, Stefan, Sebastian, Silas, Silviu, Stanislaw, Stellan, Sylvester, Soren.

6. Wictor

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Wictor is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Wictor is derived from the Latin name Victor, meaning “conqueror” or “winner.”

Similar European Boy Names: Victor, Vik, Wiktor, Valentin, Vincent, Wilhelm, Waldemar, Wojtek, Vasily, Vasilios.

RELATED: 50 Dutch Boy Names With Stories as Rich as the Netherlands’ Past

5. Bartosz

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Bartosz is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Bartosz is a Polish form of Bartholomew, which comes from the Aramaic Bar-Talmai, meaning “son of Talmai.”

Similar European Boy Names: Bartos, Bartolo, Bartek, Barnabas, Benedict, Bogdan, Boris, Brendan, Balint, Borys.

4. Miroslaw

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Mirosław is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Mirosław is derived from the Slavic elements mir (peace) and slav (glory), meaning “glory of peace.”

Similar European Boy Names: Mirek, Milo, Milan, Mieszko, Marek, Mariusz, Miro, Maksym, Mateusz, Maciej.

3. Ryszard

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Ryszard is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Ryszard is the Polish form of Richard, which comes from the Old Germanic elements ric (ruler) and hard (brave), meaning “brave ruler.”

Similar European Boy Names: Riccardo, Richard, Rikard, Raymond, Raul, Rinaldo, Rafael, Reinhard, Robert, Radek.

2. Pawel

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Paweł is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Paweł is the Polish form of Paul, which comes from the Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble.”

Similar European Boy Names: Pavel, Paul, Patrik, Pierson, Piero, Per, Patrizio, Peregrine, Pasquale, Pietro.

1. Marcin

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler

Origin: Marcin is of Polish origin.

Derivation/Meaning: Marcin is the Polish form of Martin, derived from the Latin Martinus, meaning “of Mars” or “warlike.”

Similar European Boy Names: Martin, Mark, Marek, Marlon, Markus, Marlon, Marius, Marcel, Mateo, Magnus.

Did Any of These European Boy Names Stand Out to You?

60 Popular European Boy Names for Your Little World Traveler
via Shutterstock (FamVeld)

With the world becoming increasingly interconnected with each year that passes, names that are easily recognized and appreciated in various cultures are starting to make waves in the parenting community. 

And that, of course, includes European boy names, which are some of the most popular boy names in the world. Even in countries like the United States, which is about 5,000 miles away from the heart of Europe. 

If you’re inspired by travel, in awe of different heritages, or have a deep admiration for European art and culture, then there’s no better way to honor that passion than with the European boy names listed above. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Extensive Baby Name Generator!

But if European boy names are cramping your style, then don’t worry. We publish hundreds of unique baby name ideas every single week at our Mamas Uncut blog, so don’t hesitate to check us out!

About Mamas Uncut

Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.

Baby Name Generator

No baby name sounding good? Want a quick way to generate unique baby name ideas? Try our baby name generator below!

Set your terms (sex of the baby, number of letters, popularity, etc.) and then get a list of names that meet your criteria. Maybe the perfect name is just waiting to be generated for you.

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