Juraj

Juraj is a male given name used in several Slavic-speaking communities, most notably in Slovakia and Croatia. It is the Slovak form of George, which derives from the Latin Georgius and, in turn, from the Greek Georgios. The name is traditionally associated with the Christian saint George, a figure venerated in many Christian traditions.

In usage, Juraj remains a common and longstanding given name in Central Europe. It has various diminutives and regional variants, such as Jurko or Jurij in some neighboring languages, and Jure as a short form in certain regions. The name appears in historical records, literature, and everyday life across Slovak and Croatian communities, among others.

Notable individuals named Juraj include Juraj Jánošík, a Slovak folk hero; Juraj Jakubisko, a prominent Slovak film director; Juraj Herz, a Slovak-born Czech film director; Juraj Slafkovský, a Slovak professional ice hockey player; and Juraj Dobrila, a Croatian bishop. These persons illustrate the name’s continued cultural presence in Central Europe.

Overall, Juraj is an established form of George in Slavic-speaking regions, carrying the traditional and historical associations of the name while remaining in regular use in Slovakia, Croatia, and adjacent areas.