Prezime

Prezime is a Slavic term that translates to “surname” or “family name” in English. It denotes the inherited name passed down through generations and is used to indicate lineage, ancestry, and sometimes geographic origin. In most South Slavic languages—Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin—the word is pronounced [ˈprɛzɪmə].

The use of prezime became common in the medieval period as populations expanded and administrative systems required precise identification. In many Slavic cultures surnames often reflect occupations (e.g., “Miller” in English equivalents), paternal personal names (e.g., “Ivanović” meaning “son of Ivan”), or nicknames. Some prezimes end with the suffixes –ić or –vić, which function as diminutives or patronymic markers.

Legally, a person’s prezime is recorded in birth and civil registration documents, and it is a mandatory component of identity documents such as passports and national IDs. In some former Yugoslav republics, surnames may indicate ethnic affiliation, which has sociopolitical implications in post-conflict contexts. Variations in spelling and transliteration occur when prezimes are written in Latin versus Cyrillic scripts or adapted to non‑Slavic languages. Despite these variations, the core function of the prezime—as an indicator of family belonging—remains constant across Slavic societies.