Dushan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Dushan has been for the last 3 years (from 1978 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Dushan

A masculine name of Serbian origin meaning "soul" or "spirit".

Popularity of Dushan by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Dushan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dushan.

Year Male Count Female Count
1980 7 0
1978 5 0

The history of the first name Dushan

The given name Dushan has its origins traced back to the Serbian language and culture. It is derived from the Slavic root word "duh," meaning "spirit" or "soul." This name gained popularity during the medieval period in the regions of the Balkans, particularly in Serbia and neighboring countries.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Dushan can be found in the historical chronicles of the Serbian Empire, where it was borne by Stefan Dushan, also known as Stefan Uroš IV Dušan (1308-1355). He was a prominent ruler who reigned as the Serbian Emperor from 1331 to 1355 and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Serbian history.

Another notable historical figure with the name Dushan was Dushan Petronijevic (1834-1917), a Serbian military officer and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Serbia from 1903 to 1905. He played a crucial role in the events leading up to the Balkan Wars and the subsequent liberation of Serbia.

In the realm of literature, the name Dushan is associated with Dushan Kovacevic (1948-), a renowned Serbian playwright and screenwriter. His works have gained critical acclaim and have been widely performed and adapted for the stage and screen, both in Serbia and internationally.

Moving further into the modern era, Dushan Tadic (1988-) is a Serbian professional football player who currently plays as a winger for Ajax and the Serbian national team. He has been recognized for his exceptional skill and has won numerous accolades, including the Dutch Footballer of the Year award in 2018.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Dushan is Dushan Makavejev (1932-2019), a Serbian film director and screenwriter. He was known for his avant-garde and often controversial films, which explored themes of political and social satire. His work had a significant impact on the Serbian and international film industries.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the given name Dushan. The name's Slavic roots and historical significance in the Balkans region have contributed to its enduring presence and cultural relevance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dushan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dushan, please contact us.

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"Dushan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 24, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dushan-meaning-and-history/.

"Dushan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dushan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 24 June, 2025

Dushan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/dushan-meaning-and-history/.

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