War affects all areas of society, changing traditions, culture and even the way parents name their children. The choice of names for newborns has always been a mirror of the era, reflecting the spirit of the times, social moods and social ideals. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this choice has taken on a new meaning. Parents, inspired by events, national heroes and symbols of struggle, increasingly choose unique and patriotic names that carry not just a sound, but a whole story.
For data According to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, in the period from 2022 to 2025, 1,440 newborns with non-standard names were registered in the country. Among them, those related to national resistance, historical figures and even military equipment that helped Ukrainians in the fight against the enemy stand out.
Patriotic names: in honor of heroes and symbols
The war created a new wave of patriotism, which was also reflected in the choice of names for children. Ukrainians strive to perpetuate the memory of important events and people who became symbols of the struggle. So, among the most popular names appeared:
- Stefania is a name that became iconic after the victory of the Kalush Orchestra at Eurovision 2022. The song “Stephania” was written by frontman Oleg Psyuk for his mother, but it became a kind of anthem for all Ukrainian mothers who protect their children and support the country during the war.
- Myrolyub is a name that symbolizes the desire for peace, which is especially relevant in wartime.
- Jan-Javelin and Javelina, Adelina-Javelina and Javelina-Didem are named after the American Javelin anti-tank complex, which played a key role in the defense of Ukraine in the initial stages of the war.
- Artur-Bayraktar is another combination inspired by the Turkish Bayraktar attack drone, which became a symbol of the successful defense of the Ukrainian army.
Unique Names: A New Look at Traditions
In addition to purely patriotic names, Ukrainians began to choose rare and unusual options for their children, which were rarely seen before. So, among the names for boys, the following were registered:
Tristan, Ihan, Umar, Tahir, Alijan, Tengiz, Olgert, Cyprian, Eskinder, Natanail.
Among the names for girls, the following stood out:
Jasmin, Yasnarada, Kvitka, Glafira, Dara, Nana, Barbara, Sladislava, Lyalya, Mary-Mikhailyna.
Why is the choice of names changing?
Historically, the choice of names in Ukraine has always had a close connection with cultural and political processes. The war only exacerbated this influence, creating unique trends:
- National identity – Ukrainians are increasingly looking for names that emphasize their culture, history and traditions. This is part of the process of establishing a national consciousness, which has especially intensified after 2014 and the full-scale invasion of 2022.
- Commemoration of heroes – parents seek to preserve the memory of events and people who contributed to the struggle for independence. This applies not only to the military, but also to cultural figures, volunteers and even symbols of sustainability.
- The popularity of military terminology – names related to military equipment and defense systems have become an unexpected but understandable trend. Names like Javelina and Bayraktar have a strong association with victories on the battlefield.
- Global influences – in addition to national trends, the influence of world culture is also felt in Ukraine. This explains the rise in popularity of names like Jasmin or Barbara.
Will this trend continue in the future?
Changes in naming choices caused by war can have long-lasting effects on future generations. Once active hostilities are over, society will likely return to more traditional names, but certain trends may persist. Names associated with national heroes and events will remain popular as symbols of remembrance and patriotism. Ukrainians will continue to choose rare names to distinguish their children from others and emphasize their uniqueness. Interest in historical names rooted in Ukrainian culture will increase.
War leaves a deep mark on all areas of life, and the choice of names for newborns is no exception. Ukrainians, who have become even more aware of their national identity, choose names for their children that symbolize resilience, struggle, memory of important events and people. The trend towards patriotic and rare names shows that even in such difficult times, Ukrainian society strives to preserve its traditions and pass them on to future generations.
