Zoran

Meaning of Zoran

Zoran is a masculine given name of South Slavic origin, derived from the common Slavic root zora, signifying “dawn,” and thus endowed with associations of emergence and renewal. Historically prevalent within Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian cultural milieus, it traverses linguistic boundaries in its phonetic form—rendered in English as ZOH-ran (/zoʊˈræn/)—while preserving its bisyllabic clarity. Although the name has appeared sporadically in the United States Social Security Administration’s annual top 1,000 male names since the early 1980s, typically ranking between the high 600s and low 900s, its enduring appeal lies in a balance of cultural specificity and universal symbolism. In academic discourse on anthroponymy, Zoran is frequently cited as an exemplar of a name that articulates both heritage and aspirational motif, offering parents a choice that conveys subtle distinction without ostentation.