Find out how popular the first name Nenad has been for the last 25 years (from 1977 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.
Etymologically deriving from Slavic roots meaning "the unexpected one".
Based on the last 25 years of data, Nenad is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 2001, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nenad.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2001 | 5 | 0 |
1982 | 6 | 0 |
1980 | 5 | 0 |
1979 | 9 | 0 |
1978 | 5 | 0 |
1977 | 5 | 0 |
The given name Nenad has its origins in the Slavic languages, specifically in the Serbian and Croatian tongues. It is derived from the Slavic root "ned", which means "hope" or "expectation". The name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 10th to 12th centuries, when it was commonly used among the Serbs and Croats.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nenad can be found in the Serbian epic poetry, particularly in the "Kosovo Cycle" of poems, which recount the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The name appears in these works as a reference to a valiant warrior who fought alongside Prince Lazar against the Ottoman forces.
In the 14th century, a Serbian nobleman named Nenad Semković rose to prominence as a powerful feudal lord in the region of Zeta (modern-day Montenegro). He is credited with establishing the House of Semković, which ruled over parts of Zeta until the late 15th century.
Another notable figure in history bearing the name Nenad was Nenad Janković, a Serbian soldier and leader who played a crucial role in the Serb Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century. He was born in 1786 and was a prominent figure in the struggle for Serbian independence.
During the 20th century, the name Nenad gained further recognition with the birth of Nenad Krstić, a Serbian actor and theatre director, who was born in 1951. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary Serbian theatre.
Another prominent Nenad was Nenad Bičanić, a Croatian economist and politician, who was born in 1938. He served as the Minister of Finance in the Croatian government during the early years of the country's independence in the 1990s.
While the name Nenad has its roots in the Slavic cultures, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly among Serbian and Croatian diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and cultural connections remain deeply rooted in the Balkan region.
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 Nenad was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Nenad first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 1, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nenad-meaning-and-history/.
"Nenad first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nenad-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 1 June, 2025
Nenad first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/nenad-meaning-and-history/.
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