347+ Gypsy Names – With Meanings [All Categories]

“Gypsy” is a term that has been historically used to refer to various nomadic or semi-nomadic groups that originate from different parts of the world, such as Romani people, Sinti people, Kale people, and others.

However, it’s important to note that the term “gypsy” may be sometimes offensive when referring to the Romani people. It is not considered offensive when referring to those partaking in a nomadic lifestyle.

In terms of names used by these communities, there is a lot of diversity, as their traditions and cultures differ greatly from one another.

However, some common characteristics of Gypsy names include:

  • Borrowed from other cultures: Gypsy names often borrow from the local cultures they come into contact with, such as the names of saints, biblical figures, or popular names of the region they are living in.
  • Symbolic meanings: Gypsy names often have symbolic meanings related to nature, animals, or spiritual beliefs. For example, the name Zara means “princess” in Romani culture, while the name Dora means “gift” in Sinti culture.
  • Nicknames: Gypsy names are often shortened or modified into nicknames, which are commonly used to refer to someone. For example, the name Tamsin may be shortened to Tammy or Tami.
  • Family or clan names: In some Gypsy communities,  family or clan names are used in addition to personal names. These names may indicate a person’s lineage or the region their family originates from.

It’s important to remember that Gypsy communities are diverse and have their own unique naming traditions.

Therefore, it’s difficult to generalize all Gypsy names into a single set of characteristics.

Gypsy Names

Gypsy Names:

  • Esmeralda – Derived from the Spanish word “esmeralda,” meaning emerald or green gemstone, this name has been popularized by the character Esmeralda in Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”
  • Zoltan – This name has Hungarian roots and means “sultan” or “ruler.”
  • Sable – A name that means “dark,” “black,” or “from the black forest.”
  • Lulu – A shortened version of the name Lucinda, which means “light” or “illumination.”
  • Gypsy – A name that represents the Romani people, known for their wandering lifestyle and rich cultural traditions.
  • Cosima – This name has Italian roots and means “order” or “harmony.”
  • Tarot – This name is associated with the fortune-telling cards and means “destiny” or “fate.”
  • Django – A name that means “awake” or “alert,” made popular by the jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
  • Vega – A name derived from the Arabic word “al-nasr al-waqi,” meaning “the falling eagle.”
  • Zara – A name that means “princess” or “lady.”

Romani Names

Romani Names:

  • Mirela – This name means “admired” or “beloved” and has Romanian roots.
  • Dragana – A name that means “dear” or “beloved” and has Serbian roots.
  • Dariana – This name has Latin roots and means “gift.”
  • Milena – A name that means “gracious” or “dear,” with Slavic roots.
  • Dalia – A name that means “branch” or “bough” and has Hebrew roots.
  • Iliana – A name that means “bright” or “shining,” with Bulgarian roots.
  • Marika – A name that means “bitter” and has Hungarian roots.
  • Emilia – A name that means “rival” or “eager” and has Latin roots.
  • Alina – A name that means “noble” or “kind-hearted,” with Romanian roots.
  • Kira – A name that means “sunbeam” or “sparkling,” with Russian roots.

Roma People Names

Roma People Names:

  • Danjel – This name means “God is my judge” and has Hebrew roots.
  • Jovana – A name that means “God is gracious” and has Serbian roots.
  • Florin – A name that means “flower” and has Romanian roots.
  • Cristian – A name that means “follower of Christ” and has Latin roots.
  • Delia – A name that means “of Delos” or “born on the island of Delos” and has Greek roots.
  • Ionel – A name that means “God is gracious” and has Romanian roots.
  • Vlad – A name that means “ruler” or “prince” and has Slavic roots.
  • Marinel – A name that means “of the sea” and has Romanian roots.
  • Stoyan – A name that means “stand” or “upright” and has Bulgarian roots.
  • Tiberiu – A name that means “from the Tiber river” and has Latin roots.

Where Do “Gypsies” Originally Come From?

Romani Surnames

Romani Surnames with Meanings:

  • Petrovic – meaning “son of Peter”
  • Ivanov – meaning “son of Ivan”
  • Popov – meaning “son of the priest”
  • Nikolic – meaning “son of Nikola”
  • Ristic – meaning “son of Rista”
  • Markovic – meaning “son of Marko”
  • Jankovic – meaning “son of Janko”
  • Stojanovic – meaning “son of Stojan”
  • Radulovic – meaning “son of Radul”
  • Milosevic – meaning “son of Milos”

Male Gypsy Names

Male Gypsy Names with Meanings:

  • Miklos – meaning “people’s victory”
  • Dimitri – meaning “earth-lover”
  • Janos – meaning “God is gracious”
  • Zoltan – meaning “life”
  • Romano – meaning “man of Rome”
  • Darian – meaning “gift” or “from the sea”
  • Todor – meaning “gift of God”
  • Sandor – meaning “defender of mankind”
  • Kosta – meaning “constant” or “steadfast”
  • Simeon – meaning “obedient” or “listening

Female Gypsy Names

Female Gypsy Names with Meanings:

  • Kalina – meaning “viburnum” or “guelder rose”
  • Esmeralda – meaning “emerald” or “green gemstone”
  • Lavinia – meaning “purity” or “woman of Rome”
  • Clio – meaning “glory” or “fame”
  • Zara – meaning “princess” or “blooming flower”
  • Indigo – meaning “deep blue-purple color”
  • Vega – meaning “star”
  • Selena – meaning “moon goddess”
  • Tiana – meaning “fairy queen”
  • Valencia – meaning “bravery” or “strength”

Irish Traveler Surnames (Irish Gypsy Last Names)

Irish Traveler Surnames with Meanings:

  • Ward – meaning “watchman” or “guardian”
  • Collins – meaning “descendant of Colla”
  • McCarthy – meaning “son of Carthy”
  • Murphy – meaning “descendant of Murchadh” (sea warrior)
  • Joyce – meaning “Lord” or “chief”
  • O’Connell – meaning “descendant of Conall” (strong wolf)
  • Ryan – meaning “little king” or “illustrious”
  • Reilly – meaning “courageous” or “valiant”
  • Kelly – meaning “warrior” or “bright-headed”
  • Donnelly – meaning “descendant of Donnghaile” (brown stranger)

German Gypsy Surnames

German Gypsy Surnames:

  • Weiß – A German surname that means “white” or “fair.”
  • Schmidt – A German surname that means “blacksmith.”
  • Müller – A German surname that means “miller” or “grinder.”
  • Becker – A German surname that means “baker.”
  • Mayer – A German surname that means “mayor” or “leader.”
  • Hofmann – A German surname that means “courtier” or “steward.”
  • Schäfer – A German surname that means “shepherd.”
  • Fischer – A German surname that means “fisherman.”
  • Wagner – A German surname that means “wagon maker.”
  • Berger – A German surname that means “mountain dweller.”

Italian Gypsy Surnames

Italian Gypsy Surnames:

  • Rossi – An Italian surname that means “red,” “rosy,” or “ruddy.”
  • Conti – An Italian surname that means “counts” or “earls.”
  • Moretti – An Italian surname that means “from the hills.”
  • De Luca – An Italian surname that means “of Luke” or “belonging to Luke.”
  • Romano – An Italian surname that means “of Rome.”
  • Ricci – An Italian surname that means “curly” or “frizzy.”
  • Lombardi – An Italian surname that means “of Lombardy,” a region in northern Italy.
  • Esposito – An Italian surname that means “exposed” or “abandoned.”
  • Ferrari – An Italian surname that means “blacksmith” or “ironworker.”
  • Neri – An Italian surname that means “black” or “dark.”

Spanish Gypsy Surnames

Spanish Gypsy Surnames:

  • López – A Spanish surname that means “son of Lope” or “wolf.”
  • García – A Spanish surname that means “son of Garcia” or “young warrior.”
  • Ramírez – A Spanish surname that means “son of Ramiro” or “famous counsel.”
  • Sánchez – A Spanish surname that means “son of Sancho” or “saint.”
  • González – A Spanish surname that means “son of Gonzalo” or “battle.”
  • Moreno – A Spanish surname that means “dark-skinned” or “brunette.”
  • Martínez – A Spanish surname that means “son of Martin” or “warrior of Mars.”
  • Romero – A Spanish surname that means “pilgrim to Rome” or “rosemary.”
  • Ortega – A Spanish surname that means “from the garden” or “walled enclosure.”
  • Flores – A Spanish surname that means “flowers” or “blossoms.”

Hungarian Gypsy Surnames

Hungarian Gypsy Surnames:

  • Horváth – A Hungarian surname that means “Croatian” or “from Croatia.”
  • Kovács – A Hungarian surname that means “blacksmith.”
  • Lakatos – A Hungarian surname that means “locksmith.”
  • Nagy – A Hungarian surname that means “large” or “great.”
  • Molnár – A Hungarian surname that means “miller.”
  • Balogh – A Hungarian surname that means “left-handed” or “southpaw.”
  • Varga – A Hungarian surname that means “tanner” or “leather worker.”
  • Szabó – A Hungarian surname that means “tailor.”
  • Farkas – A Hungarian surname that means “wolf.”
  • Papp – A Hungarian surname that means “priest” or “clergyman.”

Scottish Gypsy Surnames

Scottish Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Boswell: This name is of English origin and is believed to mean “well near a thicket of bushes”.
  • Stewart: This name is derived from the old English word “stigweard” meaning a steward or keeper of a household.
  • Mitchell: This name means “big” or “great”.
  • Robertson: This name means “son of Robert” and is a popular surname in Scotland.
  • MacLeod: This name means “son of Leod” and is a Scottish surname that can be traced back to the Norse Vikings.
  • Black: This name may refer to someone with dark hair or skin, or someone who worked as a dyer or in the coal industry.
  • Campbell: This name means “crooked mouth” and was originally a nickname.
  • Forbes: This name means “field” or “meadow” and is believed to have originated from the name of a village in Aberdeenshire.
  • Fraser: This name means “strawberry” in French and was originally given to someone who lived near a strawberry patch.
  • Graham: This name means “gravelly homestead” and is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word “grān hām”.

Romanian Gypsy Surnames

Romanian Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Radu: This name means “happy” or “joyful”.
  • Dragomir: This name means “precious peace”.
  • Stanescu: This name means “son of Stan” and is a popular surname in Romania.
  • Lazar: This name means “God has helped” and is of Hebrew origin.
  • Serban: This name means “Shepherd” and was given to those who worked as shepherds.
  • Ionescu: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in Romania.
  • Popescu: This name means “son of the priest” and is a popular surname in Romania.
  • Petrescu: This name means “son of Peter” and is a common surname in Romania.
  • Barbu: This name means “bearded” and was originally given to someone with a beard.
  • Dumitru: This name means “earth-lover” or “cultivator of the earth”.

English Gypsy Surnames

English Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Smith: This name refers to someone who works with metal, particularly as a blacksmith.
  • Cooper: This name refers to someone who makes barrels and casks.
  • Lee: This name means “clearing” or “meadow”.
  • Lovell: This name means “little wolf”.
  • Boswell: This name is of English origin and is believed to mean “well near a thicket of bushes”.
  • Carter: This name refers to someone who transports goods by cart.
  • Finch: This name means “one who resembles a finch bird”.
  • Chapman: This name refers to someone who trades, particularly in textiles.
  • Heron: This name means “bird of prey”.
  • Rose: This name refers to the flower of the same name and was likely given to someone who lived near roses or worked with them.

Czech Gypsy Surnames

Czech Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Horváth: This name means “Croatian” or “from Croatia”.
  • Baláž: This name means “to shine” or “to gleam”.
  • Berky: This name means “birch tree”.
  • Holub: This name means “dove” or “pigeon”.
  • Hudák: This name means “hunchback” and was likely given to someone with a noticeable hunchback.
  • Janoška: This name means “little John”.
  • Kořínek: This name means “little root” or “little spice”.
  • Matuška: This name means “little Matthew”.
  • Růžička: This name means “little rose” and was likely given to someone who was small and delicate, or who worked with roses.
  • Sobotka: This name means “Saturday” and was likely given to someone who was born or baptized on a Saturday.

Polish Gypsy Surnames

Polish Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Nowak: This name means “newcomer” or “new settlement”.
  • Kowalski: This name refers to someone who works as a blacksmith.
  • Wójcik: This name means “little shepherd” and was originally given to someone who worked as a shepherd.
  • Krawczyk: This name means “tailor”.
  • Kędziora: This name means “spinning wheel maker”.
  • Piekarski: This name means “baker” and was given to those who worked as bakers.
  • Głowacki: This name means “from Głowaczów”, a village in Poland.
  • Jankowski: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in Poland.
  • Baranowski: This name means “ram” or “sheep” and was likely given to someone who raised sheep or had sheep-like qualities.
  • Żurek: This name refers to a type of traditional Polish soup made with fermented rye flour.

Russian Gypsy Surnames

Russian Gypsy Surnames with meanings:

  • Petrov: This name means “son of Peter” and is a common surname in Russia.
  • Ivanov: This name means “son of Ivan” and is a common surname in Russia.
  • Sokolov: This name means “falcon” or “falconer” and was likely given to someone who worked with falcons or had falcon-like qualities.
  • Romanov: This name means “descendant of Roman” and is a famous Russian royal family name.
  • Popov: This name means “son of the priest” and was likely given to someone whose father was a priest.
  • Abramov: This name means “son of Abram” and is a common surname in Russia.
  • Smirnov: This name means “quiet” or “calm” and was likely given to someone who was calm and reserved.
  • Kuznetsov: This name refers to someone who works as a blacksmith.
  • Morozov: This name means “son of Moroz” and is a common surname in Russia.
  • Mikhailov: This name means “son of Mikhail” and is a common surname in Russia.

Romani Last Names in America

Romani Last Names in America with meanings:

  • Smith: This name refers to someone who works with metal, particularly as a blacksmith.
  • Lee: This name means “clearing” or “meadow”.
  • Jones: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in the United States.
  • Johnson: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in the United States.
  • Brown: This name likely refers to someone with brown hair or skin.
  • Wilson: This name means “son of William” and is a common surname in the United States.
  • Taylor: This name refers to someone who works as a tailor.
  • Davis: This name means “son of David” and is a common surname in the United States.
  • Cooper: This name refers to someone who makes barrels and casks.
  • Martinez: This name means “son of Martin” and is a common surname among Romani communities in the United States with Spanish heritage.

Victorian Names

Victorian Names:

  • Adelaide: This name means “noble” or “of noble kind”.
  • Beatrice: This name means “bringer of joy” or “she who blesses”.
  • Charlotte: This name means “free woman” or “petite”.
  • Edwin: This name means “wealthy friend”.
  • Florence: This name means “prosperous” or “flourishing”.
  • George: This name means “farmer” or “earthworker”.
  • Harriet: This name means “ruler of the home” or “mistress of the household”.
  • Isabella: This name means “devoted to God” or “God’s promise”.
  • Julius: This name means “youthful” or “downy-bearded”.
  • Victoria: This name means “victory” or “conqueror”.

Gypsy Last Names

Gypsy Last Names with meanings:

  • Smith: This name refers to someone who works with metal, particularly as a blacksmith.
  • Cooper: This name refers to someone who makes barrels and casks.
  • Lee: This name means “clearing” or “meadow”.
  • Lovell: This name means “little wolf”.
  • Boswell: This name is of English origin and is believed to mean “well near a thicket of bushes”.
  • Jones: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in Romani communities.
  • Brown: This name likely refers to someone with brown hair or skin.
  • Johnson: This name means “son of John” and is a common surname in Romani communities.
  • Taylor: This name refers to someone who works as a tailor.
  • Cooperman: This name means “barrel maker”.

Gypsy Goddess Names

Gypsy Goddess Names:

  • Kali: This name is the Hindu goddess of time and destruction.
  • Eurydice: This name is the Greek goddess of music and dance.
  • Sati: This name is the Hindu goddess of truth and loyalty.
  • Cerridwen: This name is the Welsh goddess of wisdom and inspiration.
  • Isis: This name is the Egyptian goddess of motherhood and fertility.
  • Morrigan: This name is the Irish goddess of war and sovereignty.
  • Freya: This name is the Norse goddess of love, fertility, and war.
  • Kuan Yin: This name is the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy.
  • Brigid: This name is the Irish goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft.
  • Danu: This name is the Irish goddess of wisdom, fertility, and the land.

Gypsy Baby Names for Boys

Gypsy Baby Names for Boys:

  • Darian – derived from the Romani word “dai” which means “to give.”
  • Zoltan – derived from the Hungarian name “Zoltán” which means “sultan” or “ruler.”
  • Nikolai – derived from the Greek name “Nikolaos” which means “victorious people.”
  • Lazarus – derived from the Hebrew name “El’azar” which means “God has helped.”
  • Andrei – derived from the Russian name “Andrei” which means “manly” or “warrior.”
  • Jovan – derived from the Serbian name “Jovan” which means “God is gracious.”
  • Mateo – derived from the Spanish name “Mateo” which means “gift of God.”
  • Ciprian – derived from the Romanian name “Ciprian” which means “of Cyprus.”
  • Marcell – derived from the Latin name “Marcellus” which means “young warrior.”
  • Ion – derived from the Romanian name “Ion” which means “John” or “God is gracious.”

Gypsy Baby Names for Girls

Gypsy Baby Names for Girls:

  • Sariah – derived from the Romani word “sar” which means “queen.”
  • Esmeralda – derived from the Spanish word “esmeralda” which means “emerald.”
  • Katarina – derived from the Greek name “Katerina” which means “pure.”
  • Amara – derived from the Romani word “amara” which means “immortal” or “eternal.”
  • Danika – derived from the Slavic name “Danica” which means “morning star.”
  • Kalina – derived from the Slavic name “Kalina” which means “guelder rose.”
  • Livia – derived from the Latin name “Livia” which means “olive tree.”
  • Milena – derived from the Slavic name “Milena” which means “gracious” or “dear.”
  • Zora – derived from the Slavic word “zora” which means “dawn” or “daybreak.”
  • Romani – derived from the Romani people, it means “people” in the Romani language.

Romani Last Names List

Romani, also known as Gypsy, last names can vary widely and may be influenced by the language and culture of the country where the family resides or originated from.

Here are some common Romani last names:

  • Petrova
  • Ivanova
  • Georgieva
  • Hristova
  • Stefanova
  • Popova
  • Dimitrova
  • Koleva
  • Todorova
  • Nikolova
  • Angelova
  • Vasileva
  • Marinova
  • Nedyalkova
  • Mileva
  • Mihaylova
  • Tsvetanova
  • Yordanova
  • Stoyanova
  • Kostova

Note that not all individuals with these last names are Romani/Gypsy, as many of these surnames are common in the countries where they originate from.

Additionally, not all Romani/Gypsy individuals have these last names, as they may have adopted or been assigned different names throughout their history.

FAQs – Gypsy Names

Who are gypsies?

“Gypsy” is a term that has been historically used to describe the Romani people, an ethnic group with origins in South Asia who migrated to Europe and other parts of the world centuries ago.

However, it is important to note that many Romani people find the term “gypsy” to be offensive, as it has often been used in a derogatory manner.

More generically, “gypsy” refers to those with a nomadic lifestyle.

Are the gypsies a race?

The Romani people are not a race but an ethnic group, meaning they share cultural and linguistic traditions, rather than biological traits.

The Romani people have a distinct language, Romani, and their own cultural customs and traditions.

Are gypsies Romanians?

While some Romani people may have Romanian heritage, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Romania is a country, and Romani people are an ethnic group that is present in many countries around the world.

Can anyone be a gypsy?

It is possible for anyone to become part of the Romani community, but it is not as simple as choosing to adopt the culture or traditions.

Becoming part of the Romani community often requires being accepted by members of the community and demonstrating a commitment to preserving and respecting Romani culture and traditions.

Is gypsy a bad word?

It is important to note that it is generally considered inappropriate to refer to the Romani people by terms that they do not use to describe themselves.

“Gypsy” is a term that has been used in the past to describe the Romani people, but it is now considered by many to be derogatory or offensive.

It is generally more respectful to use the term “Romani” or “Travellers” to refer to the people.

What kind of names do gypsies have?

Some popular names:

  • Esmeralda – meaning “emerald” or “green gemstone”
  • Lavinia – meaning “purity” or “woman of Rome”
  • Clio – meaning “glory” or “fame”
  • Dariana – meaning “gift” or “from the sea”
  • Zara – meaning “princess” or “blooming flower”
  • Indigo – meaning “deep blue-purple color”
  • Vega – meaning “star”
  • Selena – meaning “moon goddess”
  • Tiana – meaning “fairy queen”
  • Valencia – meaning “bravery” or “strength”

What are some Romani names?

Romani Names with Meanings:

  • Kalina – meaning “viburnum” or “guelder rose”
  • Zorion – meaning “happiness” or “joy”
  • Danika – meaning “morning star” or “from Denmark”
  • Mirela – meaning “admirable” or “wonderful”
  • Leilani – meaning “heavenly flowers”
  • Naiara – meaning “the one who is worth it” or “brave”
  • Tiberius – meaning “of the Tiber (river)” or “strong”
  • Iliana – meaning “bright” or “shining”
  • Darian – meaning “gift” or “from the sea”
  • Lumi – meaning “snow” or “light”

What are some popular names for the Roma people?

Roma People Names with Meanings:

  • Radu – meaning “happy” or “joyful”
  • Luminita – meaning “little light”
  • Ionut – meaning “God is gracious”
  • Amalia – meaning “hardworking” or “industrious”
  • Dacian – meaning “from Dacia” or “warrior”
  • Ileana – meaning “bright” or “shining”
  • Ovidiu – meaning “sheepherder”
  • Mariana – meaning “of the sea” or “bitter”
  • Silviu – meaning “from the forest” or “woodland”
  • Delia – meaning “from Delos” or “visible”

What are some other words for gypsies?

Other words for gypsies include:

  • Romani
  • Travellers
  • Tinkers
  • Pavees
  • Irish Travellers
  • Sinti
  • Kalderash
  • Manush
  • Romanichal
  • Gitano

Is Webb a gypsy name?

Webb may be used by individuals of Romani descent, they are not specifically Romani or Traveller names.

These surnames are found in many different cultures and are not exclusive to any one ethnic group.

Is Ward a gypsy name?

Ward is not exclusively a gypsy name.

Conclusion – Gypsy Names

Gypsy names, also known as Romani names, often have unique and diverse characteristics.

Some common characteristics of Gypsy names include:

  • Origin: Gypsy names can have various origins, depending on the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Romani community. Some Gypsy names have Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or Slavic roots, while others have origins in the Romani language itself.
  • Meaning: Many Gypsy names have significant meanings that reflect the values and beliefs of the Romani culture. For example, some names represent strength, courage, or wisdom, while others symbolize beauty, grace, or purity.
  • Uniqueness: Gypsy names often have a distinct and unique sound, with unusual combinations of consonants and vowels. Some Gypsy names have been adopted or modified from other languages, while others have been passed down through generations of Romani families.
  • Cultural significance: Gypsy names are an important part of Romani culture and heritage. They often reflect the history and traditions of the Romani people, and are used to honor ancestors and family members.
  • Adaptability: Gypsy names are often adapted to suit different languages and cultures. For example, some Gypsy names may have multiple variations or spellings, depending on the country or region in which they are used.

Overall, Gypsy names are a diverse and meaningful aspect of Romani culture, reflecting the rich history and traditions of this unique ethnic group.

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