Žarko (Serbian Cyrillic: Жарко) is a South Slavic male given name predominantly used in Croatia, Macedonia, and Serbia. It is derived from the South Slavic word žar, meaning "ember, zeal, fervour", hence the name conveys qualities of passion, intensity, or brightness. The name originated in Serbia and is most common among ethnic Serbs.
Notable Bearers
The name Žarko has been borne by several notable figures across sports, politics, and arts. In sports, prominent bearers include Žarko Paspalj, a former Yugoslav and Serbian professional basketball player; Žarko Čabarkapa, a retired Serbian basketballer; and Žarko Varajić, a retired Yugoslav basketball player. In football, notable names include Žarko Lazetić and Žarko Odžakov, who played for Yugoslav and Australian clubs. Among politicians and intellectuals, Žarko Obradović served as Serbian Minister of Education, while Žarko Korać is a Serbian psychologist and politician. Contributions in arts come from Žarko Petan, a Slovenian writer and filmmaker, and Žarko Laušević, a well-known Serbian actor. Historical figures include a 14th-century Serbian nobleman named Žarko (nobleman).
Related Names and Variants
A variant of the name is Zharko, which is used as a Macedonian form but also appears occasionally in other South Slavic contexts.
- Meaning: "ember, zeal, fervour"
- Origin: South Slavic (Serbian)
- Type: Given name (masculine)
- Common Usage: Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia
- Script: Cyrillic: Жарко; Latin: Žarko
Variants
Sources: Wikipedia — Žarko