Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Bogdan

Bogdan

♂ Boy

Pronounced BOG-dan /ˈbɒɡ.dæn/High

Meaning: Gift of God; given by GodHigh

In 30 seconds: A traditional Slavic name meaning 'gift of God,' composed of the elements bog (God) and dan (given). Widely used across Eastern Europe, including Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighSlavic
MeaningGift of God; given by God
U.S. rank (2025)#3387 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 778

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419542025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bogdan is formed from two Old Slavic elements: bogu (God) and danu (given, gift), creating the meaning 'gift of God' or 'given by God.' The name has been used across Slavic nations since the medieval period and is found in chronicles and historical records from Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Several medieval rulers bore the name, including multiple Moldavian princes named Bogdan who ruled in the 14th and 15th centuries. The name has remained in consistent use throughout Eastern Europe and is common in immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. In Romanian tradition the name is also spelled Bogdan and has strong national historical associations.

Did you know? Bogdan is the Slavic equivalent of the Greek Theodoros (Theodore) and the Hebrew Elnathan — all meaning 'gift of God' — showing how this profound concept of a child as divine gift appears across unrelated naming traditions.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Bogdan — Old Slavic etymology and Eastern European usageOxford Dictionary of First Names — Slavic names meaning gift of God

Variations

BohdanBogdанBogden

Nicknames

BogdyDanBogie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Bogdan Bogdanović (1992–present)
    Serbian professional basketball player in the NBA and an Olympic medalist with Serbia.
  • ★Bogdan I of Moldavia (c.1300–1367)
    Founder and first independent ruler of the Principality of Moldavia in the 1360s.

If you like Bogdan…

Theodore— Greek equivalent meaning gift of God
Stefan— classic Slavic/European boys' name of similar cultural weight
Vladimir
Ivaan— a fellow Slavic choice
Ivan— echoes that soft -an sound

Explore names like Bogdan

By themeslavictraditionalpolishukrainianromanianeastern-european
By meaningGod / DivineGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Bogdan mean?

Bogdan means 'gift of God' in Old Slavic, composed of bog (God) and dan (given), expressing gratitude for a child as a divine blessing.

How do you pronounce Bogdan?

Bogdan is pronounced BOG-dan /ˈbɒɡ.dæn/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Bogdan a boy or girl name?

Bogdan is a boy's name. The feminine form is Bogdana.

How popular is Bogdan?

Bogdan is a popular traditional name in Eastern Europe and common in Slavic diaspora communities in the U.S. and Canada.

💬 Ask Nia