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Last Name Mladinovici

What is the origin of the last name Mladinovici?

Mladinović is a South Slavic surname derived from a patronymic, indicating that it was originally formed as a descendant name from the given name Mlado (Croatian for young). The -ovici ending indicates it is a plural form, suggesting that the original bearer's father had multiple sons who shared this surname. This surname can be found among Croats and other South Slavic populations in regions such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mladinovici

The meaning and origin of the last name Mladinovici

The surname Mladinović is of Serbian origin, specifically from the South Slavic region. It is derived from the Slavic personal name Mladen, which means "young" or "new." The suffix "-ović" is a common patronymic in Slavic countries, denoting that the bearer is the son of a person with the given name Mladen. This surname has various spellings including Mladinovic, Mladinovich, and other variations due to transliteration from the Cyrillic alphabet used in Serbia. Over time, people with this surname have migrated and distributed globally, particularly to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mladinovici

The surname Mladinović is predominantly found in southeastern Europe, particularly within Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It originates from the Slavic language and can be translated to mean "son of the young one." Historically, it belongs to the group of Serbian and South Slavic surnames that were formed by adding a patronymic suffix "-ić/-ievich/-ovich" to a given name. While predominantly found in these regions, there are also smaller populations bearing this surname in other parts of the world, particularly in North America, due to diaspora from the Balkans during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mladinovici

The surname Mladinović (or Mladinić) is of Serbian origin, derived from the Slavic elements "mlad" meaning "young" or "youth", and "-inović" or "-inić" being a patronymic suffix denoting son of. Variations in spelling may arise due to differences in transliteration methods, regional dialects, and personal preferences.

Some possible variations of the surname Mladinović (Mladinić) include:

1. Mladenovich
2. Mladonovitch
3. Mladanovic
4. Mladonovic
5. Mladenovitch
6. Mladenovichy
7. Maladinovich
8. Maladonovich
9. Maladinić
10. Mladinowitsch

These variations may differ in spelling due to factors such as diacritics, lack of diacritics, or changes in the use of Latin or Cyrillic alphabets over time. It is essential to understand that these variations are all related and trace their origins back to the Slavic surname Mladinović (Mladinić).

Famous people with the last name Mladinovici

Notable individuals with the surname Mladinić include:

1. Darko Mladinović (born 1968), a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player. He has coached numerous teams, including Crvena zvezda and Partizan in Serbia, as well as the Bosnian national team.
2. Davor Mladinić (born 1973), a Croatian footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs in Croatia and abroad. He represented Croatia at the international level, participating in the UEFA Euro 1996 tournament.
3. Zlatko Mladinić (born 1952), a Serbian actor known for his roles in numerous Yugoslav and Serbian films, including "The Time Between the Dog and the Wolf" and "Sophie's Choice." He has won several awards for his acting performances.
4. Dragan Mladinić (born 1954), a Bosnian Serb politician who served as the Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska from 2007 to 2010. He was also a member of the Bosnian Serb National Assembly and the President of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats party.

Genealogical research on the last name Mladinovici

The surname Mladinović originates from Serbia and is derived from the Slavic personal name Mladen (meaning 'young' or 'new'). The -ović suffix indicates that it is a patronymic, meaning it was originally used to denote the son of a man named Mladen.

Historically, the Mladinović family can be traced back to the region of Montenegro and Serbia during the Middle Ages. The family played significant roles in various historical events, such as the Battle of Kosovo in 1389.

Throughout the centuries, the spelling variations of the name include Mladinovic, Mladinovitch, Mladinowich, and others, reflecting changes in spelling due to migration, language adoption, and other factors.

The family has been documented in various immigration waves, with a significant number settling in countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, there are numerous Mladinović descendants living worldwide, maintaining their cultural heritage and contributing to diverse communities globally.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 29 July 2025

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