🇭🇷 Croatia
399
Total names
203
Male names
196
Female names
Naming Rules
Must not be offensive or inappropriate
Names that are vulgar, offensive, or could embarrass the child are rejected.
Must be recognizable as a first name
Surnames, numbers, and symbols cannot be used as first names.
Foreign names accepted
International names are accepted as long as they can be written in the Croatian Latin alphabet.
No strict gender requirement
While names traditionally indicate gender, there is no strict legal requirement.
Legal basis: Zakon o osobnom imenu (Personal Name Act), NN 118/12.
Authority: Maticni ured (Civil Registry Office)
Popular Names in Croatia
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Luka
2.Ivan
3.Marko
4.Jakov
5.Petar
6.Filip
7.Antonio
8.David
9.Leon
10.Matej
11.Karlo
12.Roko
13.Niko
14.Lovro
15.Borna
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Ana
2.Mia
3.Lucija
4.Petra
5.Marija
6.Ema
7.Ivana
8.Sara
9.Elena
10.Tea
11.Lara
12.Paula
13.Nika
14.Dora
15.Hana
Registering a baby name in Croatia
Deadline
30 days after birth
Processing
1-5 days
Fee
Free (€66 name change fee)
Appeal to
Ministry of Public Administration
Unlike Serbia (which uses Cyrillic), Croatia uses the Latin alphabet with diacritics (č, ć, š, ž, đ). Foreign names are accepted if spellable in Croatian script.
Traditional Croatian names
Croatian naming blends Catholic saint tradition with Slavic roots. Saint's-day celebrations (imendan) are still widespread, and many parents pick a name whose feast day falls near the birth.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Croatia accepts most well-known names, the Maticni ured has refused or restricted the following types:
- Names with non-Latin characters — must be transliterated into the Croatian Latin alphabet
- Offensive or humiliating names — rejected under the Personal Name Act
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Croatia?
Parents must declare the name at the Maticni ured within 30 days after birth. Processing typically takes 1-5 days. The standard fee is Free (€66 name change fee).
What names are rejected in Croatia?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Names with non-Latin characters (must be transliterated into the Croatian Latin alphabet); Offensive or humiliating names (rejected under the Personal Name Act). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Croatian name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Croatia, provided they can be written in the local alphabet and do not conflict with the rules above. Parents from abroad may be asked to show their own passport or the child's prior documents as supporting evidence.
What can I do if the registrar refuses my chosen name?
You can appeal the decision before the Ministry of Public Administration. In practice, submitting evidence of historical use (saints, writers, previous bearers of the name) or a minor adaptation of spelling usually resolves the case.
Check a name in Croatia
Search 399 names in our Croatia database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Maticni ured for definitive answers.