Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • Polish, Ukrainian, and Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic) : from Polish bugaj, Ukrainian bugay ‘ox’, ‘bull’, hence a nickname for a big and vigorous man. The Polish word bugaj also means ‘bend in a river’; in some instances the surname may therefore be topographical.

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe