If you’re anything like me, picking out baby names is one of the most exciting (and let’s be honest—overwhelming) parts of getting ready for a new little one. Whether you’re looking for something traditional, unique, or just plain beautiful, Polish baby names have such a special charm to them. I’ve gone down more rabbit holes than I care to admit researching names, so I put together this list to help you out—because we all need a little inspiration sometimes, right?
Polish Baby Names are Unique
There’s just something about Polish baby names that feels so very European. They are timeless and fresh at the same time… at least in America. So many of them roll off the tongue in such a lovely, lyrical way. Names like Ania and Zofia sound soft and musical, but still strong.
You might’ve heard some of these names in passing without even realizing they were Polish! Think Natalia, Lena, or Oskar. Sometimes Polish names are some I’m sure you’ve seen before but with a twist in spelling or ending you haven’t heard before.
Others are more traditional and deeply Polish and while they may be common there… there’s a good chance you haven’t heard them before. But that’s part of their charm. I always think names that carry a little bit of family background or cultural significance are such a special gift to give a child.
So whether you have Polish roots, or you’re just drawn to the elegance and uniqueness of these names, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and explore some names straight from Poland.
Polish Names for Your Baby Boy
Aleksy (ah-LEK-see)
Defender of mankind.
Bartosz (BAR-tosh)
Son of the farmer.
Dominik
Belonging to the Lord.
Jakub (YAH-koob)
Supplanter.
Kacper (KATS-per)
Treasurer (one of the Three Wise Men).
Mateusz (mah-TEH-oosh)
Gift of God.
Olek (OH-lek)
Defender of the people.
Stanisław (STAH-nee-swahv)
To become glorious.
Tymon (TIE-moan)
Honor.
Wojciech (VOY-chekh)
He who enjoys war.
Andrzej (AHN-jay)
Manly, brave.
Cezary (tseh-ZAH-rih)
Polish version of Caesar, meaning long-haired or leader.
Dawid (DAH-veed)
Beloved.
Emil
Rival; eager.
Filip
Lover of horses.
Grzegorz (GZHE-gosh)
Vigilant, watchful.
Henryk
Home ruler.
Ignacy (eeg-NAH-tsih)
Fiery, passionate.
Jacek (YA-tsek)
Hyacinth flower.
Karol (KAH-rol)
Free man.
Lech (LEHK)
A legendary founder of Poland.
Ludwik
Famous warrior.
Maksymilian
Greatest.
Natan
He gave.
Patryk
Nobleman.
Rafał (RAH-fow)
God has healed.
Szymon (SHIH-mon)
God has heard.
Tomasz (TOH-mash)
Twin.
Zbigniew (ZBIG-nyev)
To dispel anger.
Łukasz (WOO-kahsh)
Polish version of Luke, meaning light-giving.
Polish Names for Your Baby Girl
Ania (AH-nya)
Grace.
Basia (BAH-shah)
Foreign woman.
Celina
Heavenly.
Danuta (dah-NOO-tah)
God is my judge.
Gosia (GO-shah)
Pearl.
Kinga (KEEN-gah)
Brave.
Lena
Light.
Zofia (ZAW-fyah)
Wisdom.
Weronika (veh-ro-NEE-kah)
True image.
Jadwiga (yahd-VEE-gah)
Warrior in battle.
Alicja (ah-LEETS-yah)
Noble.
Barbara (BAR-bah-rah)
Foreign woman.
Czesława (ches-WAH-vah)
Honor and glory.
Elżbieta (elzh-BYEH-tah)
God is my oath.
Gabriela
God is my strength.
Helena
Light, torch.
Irena
Peace.
Joanna
God is gracious.
Kamila
Helper to the priest.
Liliana
Lily flower.
Małgorzata (maw-gor-ZAH-tah)
Pearl.
Natalia
Christmas day.
Oliwia
Olive tree.
Paulina
Small, humble.
Renata
Reborn.
Sabina
Of the Sabines (an ancient tribe).
Teresa
To harvest.
Urszula (oor-SHOO-lah)
Little bear.
Wanda (VAHN-dah)
A legendary Polish princess.
Żaneta (ZHAH-neh-tah)
God is gracious.
Gender Neutral Polish Names
While traditional Polish naming customs are highly gendered, there are some nicknames and modern choices that work beautifully as unisex options—especially for bilingual families:
Sasza (SAH-sha)
Diminutive of Aleksander/Aleksandra – defender of mankind.
Misza (MEE-sha)
Diminutive of Michał or Mirosława – who is like God / glorious peace.
Julek (YOO-lek)
Short for Julian, has a soft, friendly tone.
Nika
Victory (often short for Dominika or Nikołaj).
Alex
Modern and globally familiar—used as a nickname for Aleksy or Aleksandra.
Tola
Short and sweet; can come from Antonina or stand alone.
Leszek (LEH-shek)
Technically masculine, but its sound can feel soft and adaptable.
Mika
Soft and gender-neutral; could derive from Mikołaj or Mikaela.
Lucek (LOO-tsek)
A modern-sounding nickname from Lucjan—light.
Reni
Short for Renata or Ireneusz, feels fresh and flexible.