Gudelj

Gudelj is a South Slavic surname found among people in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, as well as in diaspora communities in other parts of Europe. The exact etymology is not clearly documented in widely available sources; the name may be patronymic, derived from a given name, or connected to an older root in South Slavic languages. As a family name, Gudelj appears in various records across the Balkan region and among immigrant populations abroad.

Notable individuals with the surname include Nemanja Gudelj (born 1991), a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender. He has represented Serbia at the international level and has played for several clubs in major European leagues. The Gudelj surname is associated with a minority of athletes and professionals in sports and other fields, though Nemanja is the most widely recognized contemporary figure linked to the name.

Distribution and usage of the surname reflect broader patterns of South Slavic migration, with concentrations in the Balkan states and communities abroad. In areas with mixed populations, Gudelj may appear alongside other regional surnames of similar linguistic origin. The name tends to be passed patrilineally and may appear in various compound forms or adaptations in different countries.