Last Name Stojanovic

The surname Stojanovic is of Serbian origin. It derives from the Slavic male given name Stoyan (Стојан), which means "one who is strong" or "the one who endures." The surname Stojanovic refers to a person who bears this name as their patronym, meaning it was derived from their father's name. In Serbian and other Slavic languages, the suffix "-ović/-овић" indicates a patronymic surname. The name is common among the South Slavic population, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, and other regions with a significant Serb presence.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Stojanovic

The meaning and origin of the last name Stojanovic

The surname Stojanović is a Slavic name of Serbian and Croatian origin, derived from the given name Stojan (Stefan), which means "crown" or "wreath". The suffix "-ović/-ovich" indicates that the original bearer was a son of someone named Stojan. This patronymic naming convention is common among Slavic peoples. The surname Stojanović can be found predominantly in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and other regions historically populated by South Slavs. It's one of the numerous variations of the Stojan name that have emerged throughout history due to differences in dialects, orthographic conventions, and regional pronunciations. The earliest recorded instances of the surname Stojanović date back to the Middle Ages, particularly during the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Balkans. Throughout history, the Stojanović family has contributed significantly to the cultural, political, and social fabric of the region, producing notable figures such as Nikola Stojanović, a Serbian revolutionary and politician, and Vlado Stojanović, a prominent Yugoslav communist leader and partisan during World War II.

Geographical distribution of the last name Stojanovic

The surname Stojanović is predominantly found in the Balkan region, particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia. It originates from South Slavic peoples, with a significant concentration in regions such as Kosovo, Vojvodina (Serbia), and Bosanska Krajina (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The distribution of the name also extends to other countries with large Serbian diaspora communities, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Stojanović is a patronymic surname derived from the Slavic male given name Stoyan, which means "God's gift" or "chosen by God." The geographical spread of the Stojanović surname reflects historical migrations, cultural exchange, and the diaspora of Serbian people over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Stojanovic

The surname Stojanović can have various spellings and pronunciations due to differences in transcription from the Cyrillic alphabet used in Serbia, where it originates, to the Latin alphabet more commonly used in English-speaking countries. Here are some of the common variants: 1. Stojanovich 2. Stojанović 3. Stoyanovitch 4. Stoianovici (Romanian spelling) 5. Stoianovic 6. Stoijanovic 7. Stoianović 8. Stoianovic (phonetic transcription in English) In some cases, the name may also be anglicized to Stuart or Stewart. It is important to note that the correct spelling can depend on regional and cultural variations, and personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Stojanovic

Notable individuals with the surname Stojanović include: 1. Nenad Stojanović (1843-1926), a Serbian mathematician and philosopher, who made significant contributions to number theory and set theory. He was also an influential educator and rector of the University of Belgrade. 2. Milorad Stojanović (born 1957), a retired Serbian footballer who played as a midfielder. He represented Yugoslavia at the 1980 Summer Olympics and won two Yugoslav First League titles with Red Star Belgrade. 3. Svetlana Stojanović (born 1968), a prominent Serbian actress known for her roles in films such as "When Father Was Away on Business" (1985) and "The Trap" (2007). She has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Pula Film Festival Award. 4. Ana Stojanović (born 1989), a Serbian tennis player who reached her career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 39 in July 2016. She won her first WTA title at the 2017 Tianjin Open. 5. Aleksandar Stojanović (born 1984), a Serbian professional basketball player who currently plays for Crvena zvezda mts Belgrade in the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He has represented Serbia at international competitions, including the Olympic Games and the EuroBasket. These individuals exemplify various aspects of Serbian culture and achievement across mathematics, sports, film, and tennis.

Genealogical research on the last name Stojanovic

The surname Stojanovic is of Serbian origin, primarily found in the Balkan region. It is derived from the given name Stojan, a Slavic name that means "God is gracious." The earliest known recorded ancestor of the Stojanovic family was Stojan Nenadovic, who lived in the 15th century in present-day Serbia. He held significant positions during the reign of Prince Stefan Lazarevic and was a vizier (a high-ranking official) under Sultan Mehmed II. The Stojanovics were one of several influential noble families in medieval Serbia and continued to hold prominence throughout the Ottoman era. Today, there are notable individuals with the surname Stojanovic across various fields, including politics, sports, arts, and academia, not only in Serbia but also in diaspora communities worldwide.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Stojanovic"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 11 June 2025

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