Ivica first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Ivica has been for the last 3 years (from 1974 to 1976) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Ivica

A diminutive of Ivan meaning "God is gracious".

Popularity of Ivica by gender

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

For the most recent data in 1976, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ivica.

Year Male Count Female Count
1976 5 0
1974 6 0

The history of the first name Ivica

The given name Ivica is of Slavic origin, believed to have been derived from the name Ivan, a variant of the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious." Its roots can be traced back to the early medieval period in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

In the Croatian language, Ivica is a diminutive form of Ivan, often used as a nickname or a shortened version of the name. The suffix "-ica" is a common diminutive ending in Slavic languages, conveying a sense of endearment or familiarity.

While the name's earliest recorded use is difficult to pinpoint, it has been present in various Slavic cultures for centuries. Some historical references suggest that Ivica was commonly used among the South Slavic populations, particularly in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ivica was Ivica Stjepčević, a Bosnian Franciscan writer and philosopher who lived in the 17th century (born around 1625). His works, written in the Croatian language, covered topics such as theology, philosophy, and linguistics.

Another notable figure was Ivica Kostić (1670-1749), a Serbian painter and iconographer from the Baroque period. He is renowned for his religious paintings and frescoes adorning churches in various regions of the Balkans.

In the 19th century, Ivica Krstić (1824-1875) was a Serbian writer and educator who played a significant role in the development of modern Serbian literature and education. His works aimed to promote literacy and national identity among the Serbian people.

More recently, Ivica Račan (1944-2007) was a prominent Croatian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Croatia from 2000 to 2003. He was a leading figure in the Croatian social democratic movement and played a crucial role in Croatia's transition to democracy after the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Another notable individual is Ivica Dragutinović (born 1975), a Serbian professional basketball player who enjoyed a successful career in Europe and the NBA. He represented the Serbian national team in several international competitions and is considered one of the country's greatest basketball players.

While the name Ivica has its roots in the Slavic cultures, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among Croatian and Serbian communities abroad. However, its historical and cultural significance remains deeply intertwined with the Balkan region and its rich heritage.

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 Ivica was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Ivica first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/ivica-meaning-and-history/.

"Ivica first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/ivica-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 June, 2025

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

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