Vasko

Vasko is a masculine given name in several South Slavic languages and, less commonly, a surname. It is used in countries such as North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia. The name is often a diminutive form of longer names derived from Vasil (Vasilij), which in turn trace back to the Greek Basil, meaning "king."

As a given name, Vasko is common in Slavic-speaking communities and can appear in various cultural and literary contexts within the region. The form is typically used in everyday speech and has historical usage in traditional naming practices.

Notable individuals with the name include Vasko Popa (1922–1991), a Serbian poet regarded as a leading figure in 20th-century Serbian literature. Popa was known for a concise, symbolic, and sometimes surreal poetry that drew on folklore and myth.

In contemporary usage, Vasko remains a recognizable given name in Slavic communities and can also occur as a surname in some families. Its continued presence reflects the broader patterns of name formation and diminutive practice across the South Slavic linguistic area.