Serban

Serban (also rendered Șerban) is a Romanian masculine given name and surname of Slavic origin, derived from the word “serb” meaning “Serb” or “foreigner.” The name entered Romanian onomastics during the Middle Ages and has been borne by both aristocratic families and common citizens. Variants include Serbă, Serbanescu and the feminine form Serbăna.

In historical records the name appears among the Wallachian boyar class; notable bearers include Șerban Cantacuzino (1634–1688), who ruled Wallachia as Prince and oversaw the construction of the Cotroceni Palace, and Șerban Rădulescu (1818–1884), a political figure of the 19th‑century Romanian Principality. In modern culture, the surname is associated with individuals such as the poet and literary critic Șerban Cioculescu (1902–1982) and the contemporary playwright and screenwriter Serban Popescu. The name also occurs in the diaspora, especially among Romanian communities in Canada, the United States and Western Europe.

Geographically, Serban designates several localities in Eastern Europe. In Moldova, Serban is a village administered by the commune of Hârtop in the Cantemir District. In Romania, the name features in toponyms such as the former village of Șerban in the commune of Gârbova, Alba County, which disappeared during the 20th‑century administrative reorganisations.

The name Serban remains relatively common in Romania, where it ranks among the top 200 surnames according to recent census data. Its persistence reflects the historical ties between Romanian and Slavic cultures and the continuity of traditional naming practices across centuries.