🇨🇿 Czech Republic
7,182
Total names
3,141
Male names
4,041
Female names
Naming Rules
Name must exist in the calendar or be verifiable
Preference is given to names in the Czech name-day calendar, but foreign names are accepted with proof.
Diminutives are not allowed
Nicknames and short forms (e.g., Pepa instead of Josef) cannot be registered.
Name must match the child's sex
The name must clearly indicate the child's gender.
Female surnames take the -ova suffix
By law, female surnames are feminized with -ova, though exemptions exist for foreign nationals.
Legal basis: Zakon o matrikach (Act on Vital Records), No. 301/2000 Sb.
Authority: Matrika (vital records office)
Popular Names in Czech Republic
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Jakub
2.Jan
3.Tomas
4.Adam
5.Filip
6.Matej
7.Vojtech
8.David
9.Ondrej
10.Lukas
11.Daniel
12.Martin
13.Dominik
14.Marek
15.Michal
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Eliska
2.Tereza
3.Anna
4.Adela
5.Natalie
6.Barbora
7.Katerina
8.Viktorie
9.Kristyna
10.Sofie
11.Veronika
12.Emma
13.Lucie
14.Karolina
15.Nela
Registering a baby name in Czech Republic
Deadline
3 working days after birth
Processing
1-14 days
Fee
Free (CZK 1,000 for expert opinion)
Appeal to
Ministry of the Interior
Name-days (jmeniny) are important — most Czechs celebrate them. Every approved name has a fixed calendar day. If your chosen name is not on the calendar, the registrar may ask for an expert linguistic opinion.
Traditional Czech names
Czech names must be declinable in all seven grammatical cases and must clearly indicate sex. Female surnames traditionally take the -ová suffix (Nováková), which foreigners marrying a Czech partner can waive by formal request.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Czech Republic accepts most well-known names, the Matriční úřad has refused or restricted the following types:
- Names that cannot be declined — must fit Czech grammar (seven cases)
- Ambiguous-gender names — refused if gender is unclear
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Czech Republic?
Parents must declare the name at the Matriční úřad within 3 working days after birth. Processing typically takes 1-14 days. The standard fee is Free (CZK 1,000 for expert opinion).
What names are rejected in Czech Republic?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Names that cannot be declined (must fit Czech grammar (seven cases)); Ambiguous-gender names (refused if gender is unclear). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Czech name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Czech Republic, 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 the Interior. 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 Czech Republic
Search 7,182 names in our Czech Republic database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Matrika (vital records office) for definitive answers.