Romanian surnames are a fascinating blend of Latin heritage, Orthodox tradition, and the historical influences of neighboring Slavic, Hungarian, and Turkish cultures. In 2026, the “Balkan Gothic” and “Carpathian Folklore” aesthetics are seeing a massive surge in digital media, making Romanian names highly sought after by writers and world-builders looking for an air of mystery, resilience, and ancient history.
Unlike some cultures, many Romanian surnames are derived from professions, geographical features, or the diminutive form of a father’s first name (often ending in -escu). This A-Z guide for 183+ Romanian last names with meanings will help you navigate the linguistic landscape of the land of the Carpathians.
Quick Tip: The suffix “-escu” is the most recognizable feature of Romanian names, historically meaning “son of.” Similarly, “-anu” usually refers to a place of origin.
The Carpathian Registry: A to Z
A – Names for the Ancient and Arriving
Ababei – Son of the priestess or “Of the mother.”
Adam – Man or “Of the earth.”
Albescu – White or Fair-skinned.
Albu – White.
Alexandrescu – Son of Alexander (Defender of men).
Andreescu – Son of Andrew.
Anghelescu – Son of the Angel.
Antonescu – Son of Anthony.
Ardelean – From Transylvania (Ardeal).
Arghezi – Of riverine or historical origin.
Arsenie – Virile or Strong.
Atanasiu – Immortal.
B to G – Names for the Bold and Brave
Baciu – Shepherd or Leader of the flock.
Bălan – Blond or Fair-haired.
Bălănescu – Son of the blond one.
Banică – Small Ban (A noble title).
Barbu – Bushy beard.
Barbulescu – Son of the bearded man.
Beșliu – Elite cavalryman (Turkish origin).
Bogdan – Gift from God.
Botezatu – The Baptized.
Brâncuși – From the gate or “Edge.”
Bucur – Joy (Founder of Bucharest).
Bulgaru – The Bulgarian.
Burdujan – Large belly (nickname).
Butus – Stubborn or Log.
Cantacuzino – Byzantine noble heritage.
Călinescu – Son of the beautiful one.
Căpitanu – The Captain.
Caragiale – Black water (Turkish-Greek origin).
Ceaușescu – Son of the herald/messenger.
Cercel – Earring.
Ciobanu – Shepherd.
Ciubotaru – Bootmaker.
Cojocaru – Sheepskin coat maker.
Coman – Cuman (Ancient nomadic tribe).
Constantinescu – Son of Constantine.
Corbea – Raven.
Cosmescu – Son of Cosmas (Order/Universe).
Costache – Small Constantine.
Cozma – Order or Beauty.
Cristea – Follower of Christ.
Croitoru – Tailor.
Cuza – Associated with Romanian unification.
Dalca – Lightning.
Dan – Judge.
Dascălu – Teacher or Cantor.
Demetrescu – Son of Demeter.
Diaconescu – Son of the deacon.
Dima – Of the earth.
Dobre – Good.
Dogaru – Cooper (Barrel maker).
Drăghici – Dear or Beloved.
Drăghicescu – Son of the beloved one.
Drăgoi – Dear/Precious.
Dumitrescu – Son of Demetrius.
Eder – Waves.
Eminescu – Derived from “Emin” (Trustworthy).
Enache – Derived from John (Yohanan).
Ene – The Elder or a variant of John.
Fărcaș – Wolf (Hungarian origin).
Filipescu – Son of Philip.
Florea – Flower.
Florescu – Son of the flower.
Frățilă – Little brother.
Funar – Rope maker.
Ganea – Ancient, potentially Gothic origin.
Gheorghiu – Son of George (Farmer).
Gherman – Brother.
Ghica – Prominent noble family name.
Goga – Tall/Large man.
Grigorescu – Son of Gregory (Watchful).
Grosu – Thick or Large.
H to M – Names for the Honorable and Mighty
Hagi – Pilgrim (Arabic/Turkish influence).
Haiduc – Outlaw or Robin Hood figure.
Haralambie – To shine from happiness.
Hasdeu – Gift from God.
Horia – Leadership and peasants’ rights.
Iacob – Supplanter.
Iancu – Variant of John.
Ieremia – The Lord exalts.
Ilie – The Lord is my God.
Iliescu – Son of Elijah.
Ionescu – Son of John (Most common name).
Iordănescu – Son of Jordan.
Iorgu – Farmer (Variant of George).
Iosif – God will add.
Istrati – Soldier.
Ivașcu – God is gracious.
Jianu – From the Jiu River valley.
Lazăr – God has helped.
Lăzărescu – Son of Lazarus.
Lefter – Free (Greek origin).
Leon – Lion.
Luca – Bringer of light.
Lungu – The Tall one.
Lupu – Wolf.
Lupescu – Son of the wolf.
Măcelaru – Butcher.
Manole – God is with us.
Mărculescu – Son of Mark.
Marin – Of the sea.
Marinescu – Son of Marin.
Matei – Gift of God.
Mazăre – Peas.
Miclea – Small or Mihai.
Mihai – Who is like God?
Mihăilescu – Son of Michael.
Militaru – Military man.
Miron – Myrrh or Fragrant oil.
Mircea – Peace.
Mocanu – Highlander or Shepherd.
Moldovan – From Moldova.
Moraru – Miller.
Munteanu – From the mountains.
Mureșan – From the Mureș region.
N to R – Names for the Noble and Resilient
Năstase – Resurrection.
Neacșu – Untaught or Hidden.
Neagoe – Folk warrior.
Nedelcu – Born on Sunday.
Negoescu – Son of Neagoe.
Negru – Black.
Nicoară – Victory of the people.
Nicolae – Victory of the people.
Nicolescu – Son of Nicholas.
Nistor – One who returns.
Niță – Diminutive of John.
Olaru – Potter.
Olteanu – From Oltenia.
Onicescu – Son of Onu.
Oprea – To stop or To protect.
Orban – Urban or From the city.
Pârvu – The First or Eldest.
Pătrașcu – Little Peter.
Păun – Peacock.
Petrescu – Son of Peter.
Pintea – Spur (legendary haiduc).
Pîrvulescu – Son of the firstborn.
Pop – Priest.
Popa – Priest.
Popescu – Son of the priest (Very common).
Preda – To deliver or Preacher.
Proca – Progress.
Puiu – Chick or Young child.
Radu – Happy or Willing.
Rădulescu – Son of Radu.
Rău – Bad (historically wards off spirits).
Rizea – Roots.
Roman – From Rome.
Roșu – Red.
Rotaru – Wheelwright.
Rusu – The Russian.
S to Z – Names for the Sacred and Sincere
Sadoveanu – From the orchard.
Săvulescu – Son of Saul.
Sârbu – The Serb.
Scânteia – Spark.
Scurtu – The Short one.
Simionescu – Son of Simon.
Slavici – Glory.
Soare – Sun.
Sorescu – Son of the Sun.
Spătaru – Sword bearer (Noble official).
Stancu – Steadfast.
Stănescu – Son of Stane.
Ștefănescu – Son of Stephen.
Stoica – Immovable.
Surdu – Deaf.
Tănase – Resurrection.
Tătărescu – Son of the Tatar.
Teodorescu – Son of Theodore.
Tomescu – Son of Thomas.
Toader – God’s gift.
Trandafir – Rose.
Tudor – Ruler of the people.
Turcu – The Turk.
Țurcanu – From the Turchia region.
Ungureanu – From Hungary or Transylvanian.
Ursu – Bear.
Văcărescu – Son of the cowherd.
Vasile – King or Royal.
Vasilescu – Son of Basil.
Vîlcu – Wolf.
Vlad – Rule or Power (Root of Dracula).
Vlădescu – Son of Vlad.
Vlasto – Sprout or Offspring.
Voinea – Warrior.
Zaharia – The Lord remembers.
Zamfir – Sapphire or Gemstone.
Mastering the Romanian Aesthetic: Naming Your Characters
1. The Regional Suffixes
- Transylvania: Names like Ungureanu and Ardelean reflect historical shifts.
- Moldavia: Surnames ending in -u (Ciobanu, Moraru) are frequent.
- Wallachia: Heartland of the -escu suffix.
2. Historical Nobility
For high-society characters, look for names like Cantacuzino, Ghica, or Văcărescu—the former Boyars (nobility).
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many Romanian names end in “-escu”?It’s a patronymic suffix meaning “son of,” standardized in the 19th century for legal records.
What is the most common surname in Romania?Popescu (Son of the Priest), followed by Ionescu and Popa.
Is “Dracula” a real Romanian last name?No. It was a nickname for Vlad III, meaning “Son of the Dragon” (Dracul). Drac also means devil in modern Romanian.
