Neither Arben nor Alban, this is the favourite name for Albanian boys

INSTAT data shows that the names of the boys in Albania have undergone significant changes during 2020-2025.

Ammar is currently the most popular name for newborn boys, while parents are choosing more and more names short and foreign-born, such as Deon, Aaron or

Liam, leaving behind traditional Albanian names such as Arben, Gezim or Alban.

Language and culture experts note that this trend reflects a departure from national identity and a strong influence on international models, where choice of names often reflects

It is based more on sound and modernity than on meaning and tradition.

Many parents prefer foreign names because they consider them more modern and appealing, even without knowing what they mean.

Experts point out that this is disturbing, as Albania has beautiful names and cultural values that are more easily pronounced and sound naturally in Albanian.