Bulgarian surnames are family names used in the country of Bulgaria. Since ancient times, Bulgaria has been inhabited by various tribes and civilizations, leaving behind traces of their cultures and influences. In Bulgarian culture, the concept of a surname as a hereditary family name appeared quite recently. In addition to personal name, a person was identified by his/her father's name, nickname, or grandfather's name. For example, Ivan Petrov, son of Petar Kolev, grandson of Kolyo Kirilov. The history of Bulgarian surnames begins in the late 19th century and was fully established only in the mid-20th century.
Historical background
Understanding the historical background of Bulgaria is an important component of researching surnames with origins in the region. The establishment of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 7th century marked a significant milestone in Bulgarian history, with the state reaching its peak under the rule of Khan Krum and Tsar Simeon the Great. However, Bulgaria faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including invasions by Byzantine, Ottoman, and other foreign powers. The Ottoman rule, which lasted for nearly five centuries, had a profound impact on Bulgarian society and culture. The struggle for independence and the subsequent formation of modern Bulgaria in 1878 marked a new era for the country. Bulgaria experienced both World Wars and endured communist rule during the 20th century. Since the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has undergone significant political, economic, and social transformations, striving to integrate into the European Union and NATO. Today, Bulgaria is a sovereign nation with a rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a vibrant society.
Formation of Bulgarian surnames
Bulgarian surnames are similar in spelling to Russian surnames but have an unstressed syllable that can change. The vast majority of Bulgarian surnames end in -ov, -ev:[1]
They work the same way as the patronymic (and are in fact derived from them), and are possessive forms of given names. The "–ov/–ev" (masculine) and "–ova/–eva" (feminine) suffixes are also extremely popular and commonly used Russian and Macedonian surnames. The surnames Ivanov(a), Petrov(a) and Borisov(a) are the three most common surnames in Bulgaria.
The second most popular suffix is "–ski/–ska" (sometimes "–ki/–ka"):[2]
- Zelenogorski
- Stoykovska
- Petrinska
Besides often being merely a version of an "–ov/–ev" or "-–ova/–eva" name, may also often indicate origin:
- Sofianski — "from Sofia"
- Stamboliyski — "from Istanbul"
The origins of such Bulgarian surnames are more ancient, and their interpretation is associated with the names of villages and towns or the nicknames of the first bearers.
Another suffix is "–in/–ina":
Unlike all other Bulgarian patronymics and family names, these are matronymics, meaning that they stem from a female name (e.g. "of Kuna", "of Gana", "of Rada"). They are most common in the region of Razlog and Bansko.
Derivation of Bulgarian surnames
Bulgarian surnames have diverse origins and can be derived from various sources. It's important to note that the derivation of Bulgarian surnames can be complex, with multiple factors influencing their formation. The historical, cultural, and linguistic influences on Bulgaria, including Slavic, Greek, Turkish, and other influences, have shaped the development of Bulgarian surnames over time.
Patronymic surnames
Occupational surnames
Toponymic surnames
Descriptive or nickname surnames
Religious or ethnic origins
Certain Bulgarian surnames have religious or ethnic connotations. The meaning of some Bulgarian surnames may seem non-Christian at first glance, such as Hadzhigeorgiev, Hadzhipopov. It seems that their roots can be found in Islam, where "hadzh" means a pilgrimage to Mecca. In Bulgaria, however, which was under the yoke of Turkish rule for a long time, this prefix was added to the surname of a person who visited Jerusalem or other Christian holy sites.
Contemporary practices
Currently, in Bulgaria, a child can be given a surname from among several options: the father's or mother's surname, a new surname based on one of the grandparents' names, or a combination of the parents' surnames. In the past century, women almost always adopted their husband's surname upon marriage. Now, they prefer to add their spouse's surname to their maiden name with a hyphen. Declining Bulgarian surnames is the same as in Russian or Ukrainian languages. The masculine and feminine forms (ending in -ova, -eva) are declined according to the rules of Russian grammar.
Most common Bulgarian surnames
Celebrities with Bulgarian surnames
- Vasil Levski, Bulgarian revolutionist
- Pencho Slaveykov, Bulgarian poet
- Boris Aprilov, Bulgarian writer
- Hristo Stoichkov, Bulgarian football player
See also
Explore more on Bulgarian surnames
- Explore Bulgarian Family Names on MyHeritage
- Bulgarian historical records at MyHeritage
- Bulgarian central state archive