This list rounds up 31 Slavic boy names starting with the letter D, running alphabetically from “Damir” to “Dušan.” Most trace back to Old Slavic roots like “peace,” “dear,” and “glory,” or honor saints, rulers, and folk heroes from across the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Parents use them for newborns, and writers and genealogists use them to identify characters or ancestors with authentic Slavic roots.

Slavic boy names are given names rooted in the Slavic languages spoken across countries like Russia, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, and Bulgaria. Many combine two Old Slavic words, such as “dobro” (good) and “mir” (peace) in Dobromir, to create a meaning that’s built right into the name. One standout example is Dušan, made famous by the 14th-century Serbian emperor Stefan Dušan, whose legal code still shapes how historians view the medieval Balkans.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Country, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.

Name: the given name itself, shown in its most common spelling so you can see exactly how it’s written.

Country: the nations where you’re most likely to encounter this name today, helping you place it culturally.

Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide so you can say each name correctly, even without knowing the local language.

Meaning: the literal translation or origin of the name, giving you insight into what it represents.

Description: background on the name’s history, notable namesakes, or cultural context, so you understand why it’s still used today.

Slavic boy names

NameCountryPronunciationMeaning
DamirCroatia, Bosnia, RussiaDAH-meer“give peace”
DamjanSerbia, North MacedoniaDAHM-yahn“to tame”
DaneNorth Macedonia, SerbiaDAH-neh“God is my judge”
DanijelCroatia, Serbiadah-NEE-yel“God is my judge”
DaniloSerbia, Montenegro, CroatiaDAH-nee-loh“God is my judge”
DankoSerbia, Bulgaria, CroatiaDAHN-koh“God is my judge” or “gift”
DarijeCroatiaDAH-ree-yeh“possessor of goodness”
DarkoSerbia, Croatia, North MacedoniaDAHR-koh“gift”
DavorCroatiaDAH-vorlinked to the deity Dabog
DavorinCroatia, SloveniaDAH-vo-reenlinked to the deity Dabog
DejanSerbia, North Macedonia, BulgariaDEH-yahn“active, effective one”
DenisRussia, Ukraine, Belarusdeh-NEES“follower of Dionysus”
DesimirSerbiadeh-SEE-meer“one who achieves peace”
DimitarBulgariadee-MEE-tar“follower of Demeter”
DinkoCroatiaDEEN-kohlinked to “Sunday” / Dominic
DivkoCroatiaDEEV-koh“wild, wondrous”
DmitriRussia, Ukrainedmee-TREE“follower of Demeter”
DobromirPoland, Bulgaria, Serbiadoh-BROH-meer“good peace”
DobroslavSerbia, Bulgaria, Polanddoh-broh-SLAHV“good glory”
DobrivojSerbia, Czech Republicdoh-BREE-voy“good warrior”
DomagojCroatiadoh-MAH-goy“home defender”
DraganSerbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, North MacedoniaDRAH-gahn“dear, precious”
DragoCroatia, SloveniaDRAH-goh“dear”
DragomirSerbia, Bulgaria, Czech Republicdrah-GOH-meer“dear peace”
DragoslavSerbiadrah-goh-SLAHV“dear glory”
DragutinSerbiadrah-GOO-teen“dear one”
DraškoSerbia, MontenegroDRAHSH-koh“dear”
DraženCroatia, SerbiaDRAH-zhen“dear, beloved”
DubravkoCroatiadoo-BRAHV-koh“of the oak grove”
DujeCroatiaDOO-yehshort form honoring Saint Domnius
DušanSerbia, Czech Republic, SlovakiaDOO-shahn“soul”

Descriptions

Damir
A popular South Slavic and Russian name blending the words for “give” and “peace,” Damir is common across the Balkans and Russia alike.
Damjan
A South Slavic form of Damian, borne by an early Christian saint-physician, Damjan remains a steady classic name in the Balkans.
Dane
A short, punchy Macedonian and Serbian form of Danilo, Dane is favored for its simplicity and warmth.
Danijel
The South Slavic rendering of Daniel, Danijel carries the biblical prophet’s name into everyday Croatian and Serbian use.
Danilo
A princely Balkan name historically borne by Montenegrin rulers, Danilo pairs biblical roots with regal weight.
Danko
A warm diminutive tied to Danilo or Bogdan, Danko also echoes a folk-tale hero known for a fearless, burning heart.
Darije
The Croatian form of Darius, Darije nods to the ancient Persian kings while sitting comfortably among South Slavic names.
Darko
One of the most familiar Balkan names, Darko grew from the Slavic word for “gift” and often serves as a nickname for longer names.
Davor
A distinctly Croatian name tied to an old Slavic god of the sun and fire, Davor carries a mythic, earthy resonance.
Davorin
An extended form of Davor, Davorin keeps the same mythological roots while sounding slightly more formal.
Dejan
A widely used Serbian name built from a Slavic verb meaning “to act,” Dejan suggests energy and doing.
Denis
Adapted from the Greek Dionysius, Denis became a common East Slavic name still popular in Russia and Ukraine today.
Desimir
A rare, old Serbian princely name recorded among medieval rulers, Desimir blends the idea of accomplishment with peace.
Dimitar
The Bulgarian form of Demetrius, Dimitar honors the Greek harvest goddess and remains a top given name in Bulgaria.
Dinko
A cheerful Dalmatian name tied to the Latin Dominicus, Dinko is especially common along Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
Divko
A rare, old-fashioned Croatian name rooted in the Slavic word for “wonder” or “wild,” used mostly historically today.
Dmitri
One of Russia’s most iconic names, Dmitri traces to the Greek earth goddess Demeter and has been carried by tsars and literary heroes alike.
Dobromir
A classic Old Slavic compound name joining “good” and “peace,” still given across several Slavic nations.
Dobroslav
Another Old Slavic two-part name, Dobroslav pairs goodness with glory in a formal, historic style.
Dobrivoj
A rare Old Slavic name combining “good” with the word for army, Dobrivoj survives mainly as a historical or literary name.
Domagoj
Borne by a 9th-century Croatian duke who resisted Venetian rule, Domagoj remains a proud, historically rooted Croatian name.
Dragan
One of the most common Balkan names, Dragan comes straight from the Slavic word for “dear” or “beloved.”
Drago
A simple, affectionate Croatian and Slovenian name meaning “dear,” often used on its own or as a nickname base.
Dragomir
An Old Slavic compound name meaning “dear peace,” historically borne by medieval Serbian and Bulgarian nobles.
Dragoslav
Combining “dear” and “glory,” Dragoslav is a formal Old Slavic name still given in Serbia today.
Dragutin
Made famous by medieval Serbian king Stefan Dragutin, this name extends the root “drag” (dear) into a distinguished royal form.
Draško
A friendly diminutive of Dragoslav-type names, Draško is a common, casual given name in Serbia and Montenegro.
Dražen
Popularized in part by basketball legend Dražen Petrović, this name comes from the same “dear” root as Dragan.
Dubravko
Rooted in the Slavic word for a leafy grove, Dubravko is a nature-inspired Croatian name with an earthy, rustic feel.
Duje
A beloved Split nickname tied to the city’s patron saint, Duje is short, warm, and deeply local to Dalmatia.
Dušan
Made famous through medieval Serbian emperor Stefan Dušan, this name stems from the Slavic word for “soul” and remains widely used.
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