Bulgarian Last Names

These Bulgarian last names are real family names listed A to Z in Latin letters and Cyrillic, each with its meaning. Most are built from an ancestor's given name, a trade or a nickname, followed by the ending -ov or -ev.

243 real surnames with meanings, A to Z.

A

Aleksandrov Александров

Son of Aleksandar (Alexander)
Anastasov Анастасов

Son of Anastas, resurrection
Andreev Андреев

Son of Andrey (Andrew), manly
Angelov Ангелов

Son of Angel, messenger
Apostolov Апостолов

Son of Apostol, apostle
Arnaudov Арнаудов

From arnautin, an Albanian
Asenov Асенов

Son of Asen, a medieval royal name
Asparuhov Аспарухов

Son of Asparuh, the name of the founding khan
Atanasov Атанасов

Son of Atanas (Athanasius), immortal

B

Bachvarov Бъчваров

Son of the cooper, from bachva, barrel
Bakalov Бакалов

Son of the grocer, from Turkish bakkal
Balabanov Балабанов

From Turkish balaban, big or hefty
Bankov Банков

Son of Banko, a short personal name
Belchev Белчев

Son of Belcho, from bel, white
Beshkov Бешков

Son of Beshko, a short personal name
Blagoev Благоев

Son of Blago, blessed or good
Bogdanov Богданов

Son of Bogdan, given by God
Bogomilov Богомилов

Son of Bogomil, dear to God
Bonev Бонев

Son of Bono, a short personal name, possibly from Bozhidar
Borisov Борисов

Son of Boris, fighter or famous
Botev Ботев

Son of Botyo, a short personal name
Boyadzhiev Бояджиев

Son of the dyer, from Turkish boyacı
Boyanov Боянов

Son of Boyan, possibly from boy, battle
Bozhilov Божилов

Son of Bozhil, from Bog, God
Bozhkov Божков

Son of Bozhko, from Bog, God

C

Chakarov Чакъров

From Turkish çakır, grey-blue eyed
Chaushev Чаушев

From Turkish çavuş, sergeant or herald
Chernev Чернев

Son of Cherni, from cheren, black

D

Damyanov Дамянов

Son of Damyan (Damian), to tame
Darakchiev Даракчиев

Son of the comb maker, from Turkish darakçı
Daskalov Даскалов

Son of the teacher (daskal)
Dechev Дечев

Son of Decho, a short personal name
Delchev Делчев

Son of Delcho, a short personal name
Demirev Демирев

From Turkish demir, iron
Denev Денев

Son of Denyo, a short personal name, possibly from den, day
Dimitrov Димитров

Son of Dimitar (Demetrius)
Dimov Димов

Son of Dimo, short form of Dimitar
Dinev Динев

Son of Dinyo, short form of Konstantin
Dobrev Добрев

Son of Dobri, from dobar, good
Donchev Дончев

Son of Doncho, short form of Andon
Draganov Драганов

Son of Dragan, dear or precious
Dragiev Драгиев

Son of Dragi, dear one
Dragnev Драгнев

Son of Dragni, from drag, dear
Dzhambazov Джамбазов

Son of the horse dealer, from Turkish cambaz

E

Enchev Енчев

Son of Encho, a traditional Bulgarian pet name
Evlogiev Евлогиев

Son of Evlogi, blessed (Greek)
Evtimov Евтимов

Son of Evtim (Euthymius), cheerful

F

Filchev Филчев

Son of Filcho, short form of Filip
Filipov Филипов

Son of Filip (Philip), lover of horses

G

Galabov Гълъбов

From galab, dove
Ganchev Ганчев

Son of Gancho, a traditional Bulgarian pet name
Ganev Ганев

Son of Ganyo, a short personal name
Gavrilov Гаврилов

Son of Gavril (Gabriel)
Genchev Генчев

Son of Gencho, a pet form possibly of Genadi or Evgeni
Genov Генов

Son of Geno, a short personal name, possibly from Evgeni
Georgiev Георгиев

Son of Georgi (George)
Gerasimov Герасимов

Son of Gerasim, honored (Greek)
Gochev Гочев

Son of Gocho, short form of Georgi
Gospodinov Господинов

Son of Gospodin, lord or master
Grigorov Григоров

Son of Grigor (Gregory), watchful
Grozev Грозев

Son of Grozyo, a protective name meaning ugly
Gyurov Гюров

Son of Gyuro, a form of Georgi
Gyuzelev Гюзелев

From Turkish güzel, beautiful

H

Hadzhiev Хаджиев

Son of a hadzhi, a pilgrim to Jerusalem
Hristov Христов

Son of Hristo, a name from Hristos, Christ
Hristozov Христозов

Son of Hristozo, a form of Hristo
Hubenov Хубенов

Son of Huben, from hubav, handsome

I

Ignatov Игнатов

Son of Ignat (Ignatius)
Ilchev Илчев

Son of Ilcho, diminutive of Iliya
Iliev Илиев

Son of Iliya (Elijah)
Iskrov Искров

Son of Iskar or Iskra, spark
Ivanov Иванов

Son of Ivan (John)

K

Kalaydzhiev Калайджиев

Son of the tinsmith, from Turkish kalaycı
Kalchev Калчев

Son of Kalcho, a pet name possibly from Kalin
Kalinov Калинов

Son of Kalin, from kalina, guelder rose
Kaloyanov Калоянов

Son of Kaloyan, good John (Greek kalos)
Kamburov Камбуров

From Turkish kambur, hunchbacked
Kamenov Каменов

Son of Kamen, stone
Kanev Кънев

Son of Kanyo, a short personal name, possibly from Konstantin
Karagyozov Карагьозов

From Turkish karagöz, black-eyed
Karaivanov Караиванов

Son of dark Ivan, from Turkish kara, black
Karamanov Караманов

From Karaman, a region in Anatolia
Kasabov Касабов

Son of the butcher, from Turkish kasap
Kazakov Казаков

From kazak, Cossack
Kehayov Кехайов

Son of the steward, from Turkish kâhya
Kirilov Кирилов

Son of Kiril (Cyril), lordly
Kirov Киров

Son of Kiro, short form of Kiril
Kiryakov Киряков

Son of Kiryak (Cyriacus), of the Lord
Kitov Китов

Son of Kito, a short personal name
Kolarov Коларов

Son of the cartwright (kolar)
Kolev Колев

Son of Kolyo, short form of Nikola
Konstantinov Константинов

Son of Konstantin (Constantine), steadfast
Kostadinov Костадинов

Son of Kostadin (Constantine)
Kostov Костов

Son of Kosta (Constantine)
Kovachev Ковачев

Son of the smith (kovach)
Krastev Кръстев

Son of Krastyo, from krast, cross
Krumov Крумов

Son of Krum, a medieval khan's name
Kurtev Куртев

Son of Kurti, from Turkish kurt, wolf
Kutev Кутев

Son of Kuto, a short personal name
Kuzmanov Кузманов

Son of Kuzman (Cosmas), order
Kyuchukov Кючуков

From Turkish küçük, small

L

Lazarov Лазаров

Son of Lazar (Lazarus)
Lozanov Лозанов

Son of Lozan, from loza, vine
Lukanov Луканов

Son of Lukan, a form of Luka (Luke)
Lyubenov Любенов

Son of Lyuben, from lyubov, love
Lyutskanov Люцканов

Son of Lyutskan, a regional personal name

M

Malinov Малинов

Son of Malin, from malina, raspberry
Manev Манев

Son of Mano, short form of Manol
Manolov Манолов

Son of Manol (Emmanuel)
Marchev Марчев

Son of Marcho, short form of Marko
Marinov Маринов

Son of Marin, of the sea
Markov Марков

Son of Marko (Mark)
Mateev Матеев

Son of Matey (Matthew), gift of God
Mechkov Мечков

From mechka, bear
Metodiev Методиев

Son of Metodi (Methodius)
Mihaylov Михайлов

Son of Mihail (Michael)
Mihov Михов

Son of Miho, short form of Mihail
Milanov Миланов

Son of Milan, dear or gracious
Milev Милев

Son of Milyo, from mil, dear
Minchev Минчев

Son of Mincho, a pet name possibly from Mina
Minkov Минков

Son of Minko, a pet name possibly from Mina
Mirchev Мирчев

Son of Mircho, from mir, peace
Mitev Митев

Son of Mityo, short form of Dimitar
Mitov Митов

Son of Mito, short form of Dimitar
Mladenov Младенов

Son of Mladen, young one
Mutafov Мутафов

Son of the goat-hair weaver, from Turkish mutaf

N

Nachev Начев

Son of Nacho, short form of Atanas
Naydenov Найденов

Son of Nayden, found one
Nedelchev Неделчев

Son of Nedelcho, born on Sunday (nedelya)
Nedev Недев

Son of Nedyo, possibly short for Nedelcho
Nedyalkov Недялков

Son of Nedyalko, born on Sunday
Nenchev Ненчев

Son of Nencho, possibly a pet form of Nedelcho
Nenov Ненов

Son of Neno, a short personal name, possibly from Nedelcho
Nestorov Несторов

Son of Nestor, homecoming
Nikiforov Никифоров

Son of Nikifor, bringer of victory
Nikolaev Николаев

Son of Nikolay (Nicholas)
Nikolov Николов

Son of Nikola (Nicholas)
Nikov Ников

Son of Niko, short form of Nikola

O

Obreshkov Обрешков

Bulgarian family name of uncertain origin
Ognyanov Огнянов

Son of Ognyan, from ogan, fire
Orlinov Орлинов

Son of Orlin, from orel, eagle
Ovcharov Овчаров

Son of the shepherd (ovchar)

P

Panayotov Панайотов

Son of Panayot, from Greek, all-holy
Pandurov Пандуров

Son of the rural guard (pandur)
Parushev Парушев

Son of Parush, a short personal name
Parvanov Първанов

Son of Parvan, first-born
Pashov Пашов

Son of Pasho, a short personal name
Paskalev Паскалев

Son of Paskal, born at Easter
Paunov Паунов

Son of Paun, peacock
Pavlov Павлов

Son of Pavel (Paul)
Peev Пеев

Son of Peyo, short form of Petar
Pehlivanov Пехливанов

Son of the wrestler, from Turkish pehlivan
Penchev Пенчев

Son of Pencho, short form of Petar
Penev Пенев

Son of Pencho or Penyo, short form of Petar
Penkov Пенков

Son of Penko, short form of Petar
Petkov Петков

Son of Petko, diminutive of Petar
Petrov Петров

Son of Petar (Peter)
Pironkov Пиронков

Son of Pironko, a form of Spiridon
Popgeorgiev Попгеоргиев

Son of the priest Georgi
Popivanov Попиванов

Son of the priest Ivan
Popov Попов

Son of the priest (pop)
Prodanov Проданов

Son of Prodan, sold, a protective name

R

Rachev Рачев

Son of Racho, a short personal name, possibly from Radoslav
Radev Радев

Son of Rado, from rad, glad
Radkov Радков

Son of Radko, from rad, glad
Radoev Радоев

Son of Rado, from rad, glad
Radoslavov Радославов

Son of Radoslav, glad of glory
Rangelov Рангелов

Son of Rangel, from Arhangel, archangel
Rashev Рашев

Son of Rasho, a short personal name
Rashkov Рашков

Son of Rashko, a short personal name
Raykov Райков

Son of Rayko, from ray, paradise
Ribarov Рибаров

Son of the fisherman (ribar)
Rumenov Руменов

Son of Rumen, ruddy-cheeked
Rusev Русев

Son of Rusi, fair-haired one

S

Sabev Събев

Son of Sabi, a form of Sava
Sapundzhiev Сапунджиев

Son of the soap maker, from Turkish sabuncu
Sarafov Сарафов

Son of the money changer, from Turkish sarraf
Savov Савов

Son of Sava (Sabbas)
Semerdzhiev Семерджиев

Son of the packsaddle maker, from Turkish semerci
Shopov Шопов

From shop, a person from the Sofia region
Simeonov Симеонов

Son of Simeon, he who hears
Sirakov Сираков

Son of Sirak, orphan
Slavov Славов

Son of Slavi, from slava, glory
Sokolov Соколов

From sokol, falcon
Sotirov Сотиров

Son of Sotir, from Greek soter, savior
Spasov Спасов

Son of Spas, saved or savior
Stamatov Стаматов

Son of Stamat, from Greek, may it stop
Stamenov Стаменов

Son of Stamen, steadfast one
Stanchev Станчев

Son of Stancho, a pet form of names in Stan-, such as Stanimir
Stankov Станков

Son of Stanko, from stan, to become
Staykov Стайков

Son of Stayko, steadfast one
Stefanov Стефанов

Son of Stefan (Stephen), crown
Stoev Стоев

Son of Stoyo, steadfast one
Stoilov Стоилов

Son of Stoil, steadfast one
Stoimenov Стоименов

Son of Stoimen, steadfast one
Stoyanov Стоянов

Son of Stoyan, one who stands firm
Stoychev Стойчев

Son of Stoycho, steadfast one
Stoykov Стойков

Son of Stoyko, steadfast one

T

Tabakov Табаков

Son of the tanner, from Turkish tabak
Tachev Тачев

Son of Tacho, a short personal name
Tanev Танев

Son of Tane, short form of Atanas
Tenev Тенев

Son of Tenyo, a short personal name
Terziev Терзиев

Son of the tailor, from Turkish terzi
Todorov Тодоров

Son of Todor (Theodore)
Tomov Томов

Son of Tomo (Thomas), twin
Tonchev Тончев

Son of Toncho, short form of Anton
Topalov Топалов

From Turkish topal, lame
Trifonov Трифонов

Son of Trifon (Tryphon), delicate
Tsankov Цанков

Son of Tsanko, a short personal name, possibly from Aleksandar
Tsekov Цеков

Son of Tseko, a short personal name
Tsenov Ценов

Son of Tseno, a short personal name, possibly from Tsvetan
Tsonev Цонев

Son of Tsono, a short personal name, possibly from Tsvetan
Tsvetanov Цветанов

Son of Tsvetan, from tsvete, flower
Tsvetkov Цветков

Son of Tsvetko, from tsvete, flower

U

Uzunov Узунов

From Turkish uzun, tall

V

Valchev Вълчев

Son of Valcho, from valk, wolf
Varbanov Върбанов

Son of Varban, from varba, willow
Vasilev Василев

Son of Vasil (Basil)
Vazov Вазов

Son of Vazo, a short personal name
Velev Велев

Son of Velyo, short form of Velichko
Velichkov Величков

Son of Velichko, great one
Vladimirov Владимиров

Son of Vladimir, ruler of the world
Vladov Владов

Son of Vlado, short form of Vladimir
Vlahov Влахов

From vlah, a Vlach
Vutov Вутов

Son of Vuto, a short personal name

Y

Yakimov Якимов

Son of Yakim (Joachim)
Yanakiev Янакиев

Son of Yanaki, a Greek form of Ivan
Yanev Янев

Son of Yane, short form of Ivan
Yankov Янков

Son of Yanko, diminutive of Ivan
Yonchev Йончев

Son of Yoncho, a form of Ivan
Yordanov Йорданов

Son of Yordan (Jordan)
Yosifov Йосифов

Son of Yosif (Joseph)
Yotov Йотов

Son of Yoto, short form of Yordan
Yurukov Юруков

From yuruk, a Yörük nomad

Z

Zafirov Зафиров

Son of Zafir, sapphire
Zahariev Захариев

Son of Zahari (Zachary), God remembers
Zapryanov Запрянов

Son of Zapryan, a traditional personal name
Zdravkov Здравков

Son of Zdravko, from zdrav, healthy
Zhekov Жеков

Son of Zheko, short form of Zhelyazko
Zhelev Желев

Son of Zhelyo, possibly short for Zhelyazko (zhelyazo, iron)
Zhelyazkov Желязков

Son of Zhelyazko, from zhelyazo, iron
Zhivkov Живков

Son of Zhivko, from zhiv, alive
Zlatev Златев

Son of Zlatyo, from zlato, gold

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Results (6)

Atanasov

Атанасов

Son of Atanas (Athanasius), immortal
Mateev

Матеев

Son of Matey (Matthew), gift of God
Nedyalkov

Недялков

Son of Nedyalko, born on Sunday
Yurukov

Юруков

From yuruk, a Yörük nomad
Georgiev

Георгиев

Son of Georgi (George)
Stoilov

Стоилов

Son of Stoil, steadfast one

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The meanings behind Bulgarian last names

Most names in the list started as a given name. Ivanov (Иванов) comes from Ivan, Georgiev from Georgi and Dimitrov from Dimitar, all saints' names spread by the Orthodox Church. Others come from older Slavic names with a clear meaning. Stoyanov comes from Stoyan, one who stands firm, Zdravkov from zdrav, healthy, Dragnev from drag, dear, and Mladenov from mlad, young. Parents often picked such names to protect a child or to wish it a long and healthy life.

Nature and history add more layers. Valchev comes from valk (вълк), the wolf, Sokolov from sokol, the falcon, Orlinov from orel, the eagle, and Tsvetkov from tsvete, a flower. Some names honor medieval rulers, such as Asparuhov after Khan Asparuh, founder of the first Bulgarian state, and Krumov after Khan Krum. Bogomilov comes from Bogomil, dear to God. Reading these roots helps you sense which names feel ancient, which feel rustic and which carry a patriotic echo.

Trades and Ottoman loanwords in family names

Five centuries of Ottoman rule left many Turkish words in Bulgarian, and a number of occupational names come from them. Terziev comes from terzi, a tailor, Kalaydzhiev from a tinsmith, Boyadzhiev from a dyer and Bakalov from bakal, a grocer. Sarafov comes from a money changer, Kasabov from a butcher and Sapundzhiev from a soap maker. The -dzhi part of several names comes from the Turkish suffix -ci, which marks a person who does a particular job.

Slavic trade words appear too. Kovachev is the son of a smith, Ovcharov of a shepherd, Ribarov of a fisherman and Popov of a priest, since Orthodox parish priests could marry and pass on a name. Hadzhiev marks a family whose ancestor made a pilgrimage, usually to Jerusalem in the Bulgarian Christian tradition. Nicknames complete the picture. Uzunov means tall, Topalov lame and Karagyozov black-eyed, so a single word can still describe an ancestor who lived centuries ago.

Three-part names and tips for searching

A full Bulgarian name usually has three parts: a given name, a patronymic formed from the father's given name and a family name. Georgi Ivanov Petrov is Georgi, son of Ivan, from the Petrov family. Official documents always show the middle name, but in daily life people use the first and last. Because the patronymic and many family names both end in -ov or -ev, it is easy to mix them up when reading old records.

Women use the feminine forms -ova and -eva, so Ivanov becomes Ivanova. The list shows the masculine form to keep the alphabet tidy, and typing the first few letters of a name in the search box narrows the list at once. Latin spellings follow the official Bulgarian system, which writes ъ as a and щ as sht. That is why Valchev, Parvanov and Gospodinov may look slightly different from the forms found in older English books.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Bulgarian last names?

Ivanov, Georgiev, Dimitrov, Petrov and Nikolov usually lead national counts, followed by Hristov, Stoyanov, Todorov, Iliev and Vasilev. Each comes from a popular Christian given name. For women the same names appear as Ivanova, Georgieva, Dimitrova and so on.

What does the middle name in a Bulgarian name mean?

It is a patronymic, made from the father's given name with -ov or -ev for men and -ova or -eva for women. A son of Stefan might be Petar Stefanov Kolev. It is not a second given name, and people rarely use it outside documents and formal settings.

Are there Bulgarian names that do not end in -ov or -ev?

Yes, though they are fewer. Names ending in -ski, like that of the 19th century revolutionary Georgi Rakovski, often point to a place. A few families use other endings or none at all, and foreign names brought in by immigrant families usually keep their original form.

Which famous Bulgarians carry names from this list?

Poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev, novelist Ivan Vazov, communist leader Todor Zhivkov and tennis player Grigor Dimitrov all carry names from the list. Their surnames follow the same -ov and -ev pattern as everyone else's, which shows how evenly the system runs through Bulgarian society.