The list of most popular baby names in Croatia and where most are born 

Croatia recorded 32,991 births in 2025, according to new data from the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation.

Of the total number of newborns, 16,914 were boys and 16,077 were girls, meaning boys once again slightly outnumbered girls.

Zagreb leads in number of births

The largest number of children continues to be born in Croatia’s biggest urban centres.

The capital, Zagreb, recorded 10,803 births, accounting for almost one third of all births in the country, zadovoljna.hr writes.

Other counties with the highest numbers include:

• Split-Dalmatia County – 4,089 births

• Osijek-Baranja County – 2,104 births

• Primorje-Gorski Kotar County – 2,093 births

At the other end of the scale, Lika-Senj County recorded the fewest births in the country, with just 233 babies born during the year. The figure reflects the ongoing demographic decline and smaller population in this region.

The most popular names for boys in 2025 were:

1. Luka – 622

2. Jakov – 514

3. Toma – 441

4. David – 398

5. Niko – 384

6. Ivan – 375

7. Petar – 360

8. Roko – 353

9. Noa – 339

10. Mateo – 335

Parents also favoured short, easy-to-pronounce names for girls.

The most popular names for girls in 2025 were:

1. Nika – 372

2. Mia – 355

3. Rita – 353

4. Lucija – 324

5. Marta – 321

6. Mila – 307

7. Ema – 281

8. Eva – 270

9. Sara – 259

10. Lara – 228

Analysis of the names shows that Croatian parents often choose short, simple names with one or two syllables.

Many of the most popular choices have biblical or traditional origins, such as Luka, Jakov, Ivan and Petar among boys, and Eva and Sara among girls.

At the same time, modern and internationally recognisable names are increasingly common. Names like Noa, Mia, Mila and Lara reflect wider global naming trends and the influence of popular culture.

While the number of births shows a degree of stability, long-term demographic trends in Croatia still point to a continuing population decline, particularly in smaller and less populated counties.

Major cities continue to attract young families, while many rural areas record significantly fewer births each year, highlighting the demographic imbalance across the country.