Bjelica

Bjelica is a South Slavic surname. The name derives from the root bjel- (bijel-), meaning "white" in several South Slavic languages, with the diminutive or occupational suffix -ica. It likely originated as a nickname for someone with a pale complexion or light hair, later becoming a hereditary family name.

In the Western Balkans, the surname is most common in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a substantial presence in Croatia and Montenegro. Due to migration, bearers are also found in North America and Western Europe, where communities maintain cultural and genealogical records.

Notable individuals with the surname include Nemanja Bjelica (born 1988), a Serbian professional basketball player who has played in European leagues and in the National Basketball Association.

Related surnames and variants include Belić and Bijelić, reflecting similar roots and regional spellings.