Ratko
Fact sheet
- Name
- Ratko
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
The name Ratko (Ратко) is a short and affectionate form that is especially common in Montenegro and Serbia. It derives from various names that begin with the element 'Rat-', such as Ratibor and Ratimir.
What does the name Ratko mean?
Ratko (Ратко) is a boy's name that serves as a Montenegrin and Serbian short form for names with the element 'Rat-.' Translated, the name means 'the warrior' or 'the fighter.' Its roots lie in the Old Slavic word rat (ра̏т), which means 'war,' 'battle,' or 'combat.' An alternative form of the name is Radko.
Where does the name Ratko come from?
The first name Ratko has Old Slavic roots and means 'the warrior.' The etymology is based on the Old Slavic term rat (ра̏т), which stands for war, battle, combat, and martial. The name is widespread in several languages, including Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian, and Slovak.
How do you pronounce Ratko?
The pronunciation of Ratko is clear and concise. The name is two syllables and is pronounced as 'Rat-ko' [ˈʁatko]. The combination of the consonants '-tk-' creates a distinctive, slightly tense middle. The dark 'o' at the end gives the name volume. Although the name ends without an open vowel, it remains soft and avoids a harsh sound effect. Ratko conveys a strong and direct feeling – a name with a clear structure and confident presence.
Popularity
In Germany, Ratko is a rather rare first name. In 2020, it ranked 4,047th on the list of the most common male first names. Its highest ranking was in 2012, when it reached 3,479th place. In the last ten years, Ratko has been given less than 10 times and ranks 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it stands at rank 6,874.
Famous people
- Ratko Colic (Serbian football player)
- Ratko Cvetnic (writer from Croatia)
- Ratko Cvijanovic (Yugoslav footballer)
- Ratko Delorko (German pianist)
- Ratko Dostanic (football player from Serbia)
- Ratko Durkovic (handball player from Yugoslavia)
- Ratko Glavina (Croatian actor)
- Ratko Janev (Bulgarian physicist)
- Ratko Kacian (Croatian football player)
- Ratko Mladic (former Serbian general and alleged war criminal)
- Ratko Nikolic (handball player from Serbia)
- Ratko Ninkovic (footballer from Yugoslavia)
- Ratko Rudic (water polo player from Yugoslavia)
- Ratko Stritof (Croatian water polo player)
- Ratko Vansimpsen (footballer from Belgium)
- Ratko Varda (basketball player from Serbia)
- Ratko Zvrko (former Croatian writer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Ratko
What is the origin of the name Ratko?
The first name Ratko has Old Slavic roots and is widespread in several languages, including Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian, and Slovak.
What does the name Ratko mean?
The name Ratko means 'the warrior' or 'the fighter' and derives from the Old Slavic word rat (ра̏т), which stands for war, battle, or combat.
How popular is the name Ratko?
The popularity of the name Ratko varies by region, but it is quite common in the countries of the former Yugoslavia.