🇱🇻 Latvia
398
Total names
199
Male names
199
Female names
Naming Rules
Must conform to Latvian language rules
Names must be written in the Latvian alphabet and follow Latvian phonetic conventions.
Gender-specific endings required
Latvian names must have gender-indicating suffixes (-s or -is for males; -a or -e for females).
Maximum two first names
Children may have up to two first names.
No offensive names
Names that are indecent or could harm the child are refused.
Legal basis: Civillikums (Civil Law) and Vardu un uzvardu likums (Law on Names and Surnames).
Authority: Dzimtsarakstu nodala (Civil Registry Division)
Popular Names in Latvia
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Roberts
2.Arturs
3.Emils
4.Olivers
5.Gustavs
6.Markuss
7.Daniels
8.Ralfs
9.Karlis
10.Janis
11.Martins
12.Edgars
13.Kristaps
14.Andris
15.Maris
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Marta
2.Alise
3.Emilija
4.Anna
5.Sofia
6.Eva
7.Paula
8.Laura
9.Lina
10.Elina
11.Madara
12.Elizabete
13.Amanda
14.Karlina
15.Dace
Registering a baby name in Latvia
Deadline
1 month after birth
Processing
1-7 days
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Ministry of Justice
Jāņi (Midsummer) name-days are a major national celebration. Every Jānis has their day on 24 June — a cultural argument that helps if you want to register the name abroad and repatriate it.
Traditional Latvian names
Latvian names must follow Latvian grammar — they take gender-specific endings (-s, -is for male; -a, -e for female) and are declined in six cases. Foreign names are adapted: Michael becomes Maikls, Maria stays as Marija.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Latvia accepts most well-known names, the Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa has refused or restricted the following types:
- Michael (unmodified) — must be adapted to Latvian grammar as Maikls or Mihails
- Names without gender endings — rejected because they cannot be declined in Latvian
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Latvia?
Parents must declare the name at the Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa within 1 month after birth. Processing typically takes 1-7 days. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Latvia?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Michael (unmodified) (must be adapted to Latvian grammar as Maikls or Mihails); Names without gender endings (rejected because they cannot be declined in Latvian). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Latvian name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Latvia, 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 Justice. 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 Latvia
Search 398 names in our Latvia database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Dzimtsarakstu nodala for definitive answers.