Bosnia and Herzegovina Naming Customs

Online Tools

 * Popular Names in Bosnia and Herzegovina
 * Behind the Name: Serbian Surnames
 * Behind the Name: Serbian Given Names
 * Behind the Name: Croatian Surnames
 * Behind the Name: Croatian Given Names
 * Behind the Name: Bosnian Surnames
 * Behind the Name: Bosnian Given Names
 * Most Common Last Names In Bosnia and Herzegovina
 * 161 Bosnian Baby Names With Meanings
 * FamilySearch's surname experience - enter your last name to find its meaning and origin

Serbian and Croatian Personal Names
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to three ethnic "constituent peoples", namely Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. See these articles if your ancestors were Serbian or Croatian:
 * Serbia Personal Names
 * Croatia Personal Names

Bosnian Surnames

 * In Bosnia, the family name comes before the personal name (e.g. KAČIĆ Ivan). This naming convention is common across Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats.
 * Surnames may have the suffix ‘-ić’. Bosnian family names may end in ‘-begović’.
 * Family names are typically passed down through the male side of the family.
 * Wives will often take their husband’s family name upon marriage. Some may add their husband’s name to their own. For example, if ALIĆ Branka married KAČIĆ Ivan, she may be KAČIĆ Branka or ALIĆ-KAČIĆ Branka.
 * Bosnian names often reflect their ethnicity. For example, Bosniaks often may have a name with an Islamic or Turkish origin, such as ‘Mustafagić’ (Mustafa).

For Further Reading

 * A GUIDE TO NAMES AND NAMING PRACTICES, UK Names Guide
 * Muslim Names the Bosnian Way