Gordana

Gordana is a feminine given name of South Slavic origin. It is widely used in the Balkans, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, as well as among diaspora communities.

Etymology and form: The name is derived from the Slavic root gord- meaning "pride" or "glory," with the feminine suffix -ana, producing a sense such as "the proud one" or "glorious woman." In Cyrillic, Gordana is written as Гордана.

Usage and distribution: Gordana has been a traditional and recognizable name across the region for decades and remains in use today. It appears in personal naming across multiple South Slavic languages and communities.

Notable bearers: Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic is a Serbian-born American biomedical engineer and professor at Columbia University, known for contributions to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The name is also associated with various public figures in Balkan politics, education, and the arts, reflecting its regional familiarity.

In summary, Gordana is a long-established South Slavic feminine name with a meaning tied to pride and glory, widely used across the former Yugoslavia and in related communities.