Old Serbian names popular again in Gracanica

Giving a name to a newborn has always held great significance in Serbian culture and tradition because, according to belief, it determines the child's future and life. Although short and modern names have been popular in recent years, in Gracanica, names with special symbolism in Serbian history and tradition are still relevant today.

In central Serbia, short, modern names from movies and cartoons, such as Una, Iva, Bela, Ela, Ena, and Ema, have been popular for several years. A similar trend was noticed in Kosovo, in Gracanica and surrounding areas, during a certain period. However, as stated by the chief of general administration for the city of Pristina, Sasa Sekulic, in the past year, godparents, or parents, have been more inclined toward old Serbian names.

According to Sekulic, in the past year, mostly well-known old Serbian names with historical significance have been registered, such as Stefan, Lazar, Milica, and Ana.

"After the year 2000, there was an expansion of our old names. People were increasingly returning to tradition and culture, so there were old names like Dusan, Lazar, Stefan, and, for girls, for example, Milica, Jelica, and Ana. This was valid until 2020. Since then, some newer, short, modern names like Mia, Tea, and Iva have been popular. However, what pleasantly surprised me is that in 2023, old names are making a comeback. We have Dusan, Lazar, and Milica again, which makes me very happy. Whether this is a sign that we are returning to our tradition and culture, I don't know, but it's nice to hear when someone gives an old Serbian name, which has significance and history," Sekulic stated.

Vesna Vidosavljevic from Prizren, whose family has numerous godparent relationships, explains what godparenting used to represent and how a name was given to a newborn.

"My family has a godparent relationship that is surely older than 200 years. For us, godparenting is sacred. For the family, the most important thing is when a baby arrives. First, the godparent comes to take the blessing to announce whether a girl or a boy has been born and that they have come for the name. The godparent is always gifted for the blessing, we have a feast, and then we choose names. Earlier, one name was given, usually the name of a deceased family member or a name related to a holiday. If a child is born before Saint Nicholas Day, they get the name Nikola. Nikoleta, Nikolija, before Mitrovdan, Mitar, or Mitra. Later, this changed a bit; young married couples now choose young godparents, choose a name themselves, or make some compromise by giving parents several names to choose from," Vidosavljevic said.

She adds that despite the new "rules," parents often choose old Serbian names, which her grandchildren have also received, and that, she emphasizes, brings her special joy.

"In recent times, young married couples usually tell the godparent what name they want for their child; the godparent usually respects that wish but also suggests that the names should not be shortened or foreign, but that we should adhere to our Serbian names, tied to Serbian tradition, or some holiday. I see that many couples today give their children beautiful old Serbian names, and my grandchildren got old names, and I am overjoyed because of that," Vidosavljevic said.

As a young parent, Vlada Milic wished for an old Serbian name for his child. However, he noted that he did not interfere in the godparent's "business."

"My wife and I had the desire for it to be an old Serbian name, we didn't hint to the godparent that we had any wishes; we left that decision to him. When he pronounced the name Vojin, I was thrilled; our wish came true because Vojin is an old Serbian name," he said.

According to him, the trend of parents choosing a name for their child is wrong because there is an old saying: God is in heaven, the godparent on earth.

"I personally think that meddling in 'godparent matters,' especially naming the child, is very wrong. Let everyone do their job; we, as parents, raise the child, and the godparent names, baptizes, and blesses," Milic concluded.