by Petrit Latifi
This article lists recorded Albanian toponyms and settlements from the 15th century according to Slavic and Ottoman registers. The original work has been extracted from the work of Prof Iljaz Rexha in his “Vendbanimet dhe Popullsia Albane e Kosovës (sipas Defterëve Osmane të shekullit XV).
Summary:
This study undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of over 180 toponyms across the historical region of Dardania and its peripheries — spanning Kosovo, southern Serbia, northern Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, with extensions into eastern Serbia and western Bulgaria.
The project’s central aim is the “de-Slavization” or semantic restoration of place-names whose Slavic forms have either replaced, adapted, or obscured older Illyrian–Albanian roots. Each entry pairs:
- the current Slavic form,
- its literal meaning,
- the Albanian lexical or etymological equivalent, and
- a historical-linguistic comment identifying pre-Slavic substrates or semantic continuity.
Through these correspondences, the study highlights a deep linguistic stratigraphy in the region, revealing that many seemingly Slavic toponyms retain Illyrian-Albanian morphologies, hydronyms, and semantic cores beneath later phonological overlays. Hydronyms like Drin, Morava, and Tara preserve ancient Indo-European roots, while urban names such as Skopje (Scupi → Shkup), Shkodër (Scodra), and Ulqin (Ulcinium) demonstrate remarkable stability across millennia.
The cumulative evidence underscores a continuity of Albanian linguistic presence in Dardania and its environs, suggesting that Slavicization of local geography was often nominal rather than structural — a process of translation, adaptation, and hybridization rather than complete replacement.
The project thus contributes both to Balkan historical linguistics and to the broader field of onomastic archaeology, showing how the echoes of ancient Dardania still resonate in the modern linguistic landscape of the Central Balkans.
The de-slavicized or de-serbicized toponyms and names lists as follows.
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Note |
| 1 | Trebinje | possibly from Tribus / Trebin- (“settlement, people”) | Trebinë / Trebinja | Likely a Roman or pre-Slavic root; could have Illyrian origin. |
| 2 | Zotović | “son of Zot” (personal name) | Zotaj / Zotoviq | From Zot (lord, master) – a native Albanian word. |
| 3 | Maleševci | “people from Maleševo” (mountain area) | Malëshefc / Malëshevë | Derived from malësi (highland) – already Albanian in origin. |
| 4 | Sarajevo | Turkish saray (palace) + Slavic -evo | Sarajë / Saraja | Ottoman root with Slavic suffix. |
| 5 | Guri Herseg | “Stone of Herzeg” | Guri i Herzegut | Gur = stone; already Albanian. |
| 6 | Arbanas | “Albanian” (archaic ethnonym) | Arbënesh / Arbanas | Unchanged; from old Albanian ethnonym. |
| 7 | Komarnica | from komar (mosquito) | Mushkonjari / Komarnicë | Possibly a Slavic calque; no Albanian equivalent known. |
| 8 | Slansko Jezero | “Salt Lake” | Liqeni i Kripës | Direct Albanian translation. |
| 9 | Crno Jezero | “Black Lake” | Liqeni i Zi | Direct 1:1 translation. |
| 10 | Maleše | from Malëshe (mountain region) | Malëshe / Malësi | Already Albanian. |
| 11 | Arbanas | — | Arbënesh / Arbanas | Same ethnonym; unchanged. |
| 12 | Arnautović | “son of the Albanian” (Turk. Arnaut) | Arnautaj / Arnautiq | Turkish ethnonym, applied to Albanians. |
| 13 | Višegrad | “Upper town” (više = upper, grad = town) | Qyteti i Sipërm | Literal Albanian translation. |
| 14 | Berishtani | from Berisha (tribal name) | Berishtani / Berishë | Already Albanian clan name. |
| 15 | Imshtar | Albanian imsharë (“cleric, priest”) | Imshtar | 100% Albanian form. |
| 16 | Ljuljaš | from ljulja (swing) or Alb. Lulë (flower) | Lulash / Lulaj | Likely Albanian root lule. |
| 17 | Prushko / Prushić | from prush (embers, glow) | Prushaj / Prushiç | Albanian word prush = ember. |
| 18 | Bajina Bašta | “Baja’s garden” (bašta = garden) | Kopshti i Bajës | Direct translation. |
| 19 | Burmaz | ethnonym (also found in Albanian Burmazaj) | Burmaz / Burmazaj | Likely Albanian clan name. |
| 20 | Ivanica | from Ivan (John) | Gjonaj / Gjonicë | Albanian equivalent of John = Gjon. |
| 21 | Arnautovići | “sons of the Albanians” | Arnautaj / Arnautiqët | Ottoman-Turkish root with Alb. meaning. |
| 22 | Maleševo | “mountainous area” | Malëshevë | From malësi; Albanian origin. |
| 23 | Zapadna Morava | “Western Morava River” | Morava e Perëndimit | Direct translation. |
| 24 | Pelaska | possibly from Pelasg- (ancient Pelasgians) | Pelasgë / Pelashkë | Possible Illyrian-Pelasgian link. |
| 25 | Dashinc (Dašnica) | from dash (Alb. for “ram”) | Dashinc / Dashaj | Already Albanian root. |
| 26 | Kruševac | from kruška (pear tree) | Dardhaj / Dardhës | Albanian dardhë = pear. |
| 27 | Kruševec / Krushefc | diminutive form of above | Dardhicë / Krushefçë | “Little pear” → Dardhicë. |
| 28 | Belasica Maletina | “White mountain range” | Malet e Bardha | Bela → Bardhë. |
| 29 | Gjunis (Dunis) | unclear, maybe hydronym | Gjonis / Dunis | Possibly from Gjon. |
| 30 | Arbanash-Sušic (Sušica) | “Dry river (of the Albanians)” | Përroi i Arbëneshit të Thatë | Suho / Sušica = “dry stream”. |
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Note |
| 31 | Morava | ancient river name (root pre-Slavic) | Moravë | Pre-Slavic hydronym; survives in Albanian form. |
| 32 | Bujmir / Bujimir | “kind fame” (Slavicized form) | Bujmir | Alb. bujë (fame) + mirë (good); purely Albanian formation. |
| 33 | Arnauta | “Albanian (female or plural)” | Arnauta / Arnaute | Ottoman-Turkish ethnonym, referring to Albanians. |
| 34 | Ljuljaška | “swing” (but cf. Alb. Lulashka) | Lulashka | From lule (flower), likely Albanianized root. |
| 35 | Beli Timok | “White Timok River” | Timoqi i Bardhë | Direct translation; beli = bardhë. |
| 36 | Guriševe / Guriševci | “stone place” | Gurishevë / Gurishaj | gur = stone; clearly Albanian root. |
| 37 | Zeta | pre-Slavic hydronym | Zeta / Zetha | Ancient Illyrian-Dardanian name; unchanged. |
| 38 | Vav Guri | “by the stone” | Afër Gurit | Alb. gur = stone; Slavic syntax. |
| 39 | Guri Osanica | “stone of Osanica” | Guri i Osanicës / Guri i Zanës | Possibly from zana (fairy), Albanian mythic root. |
| 40 | Lisine | “flat place / by oaks” | Lisina / Lisinë | lis = oak (same in Albanian). |
| 41 | Berishina Luk | “bend of Berisha” | Kthesa e Berishës | Direct Albanian meaning; clan-based toponym. |
| 42 | Mataruga / Mataruge | ethnonym, ancient tribal name | Matarugë / Mataruga | Probably pre-Slavic Illyrian. |
| 43 | Ceotina | settlement name (unclear) | Qotinë / Çotinë | Possible Albanianized phonetic form. |
| 44 | Dragosh-Bardo | “Dragosh the white” | Dragosh Bardhi | Bardhë = white; Albanian personal name Dragosh. |
| 45 | Rijeka | “river” | Lumë / Lumi | Direct Albanian equivalent. |
| 46 | Gjonovik | “village of Gjon” | Gjonvik / Gjonaj | Gjon = John (Alb.). |
| 47 | Rijeka Crnojevića | “River of Crnojević” | Lumi i Gjonit të Zi | Crno = black → i zi; Gjon variant possible. |
| 48 | Martinići (Gornji & Donji) | “upper/lower Martin village” | Martinjë / Martinaj | Gjon Martin common Alb. anthroponym. |
| 49 | Bardići / Bardic | “descendants of Bard” | Bardhaj / Bardiq | Bardhë = white; old Albanian root. |
| 50 | Tara | river name | Tarë / Taraja | Pre-Slavic hydronym, Illyrian root. |
| 51 | Prijepolje | “before the field / marketplace” | Para-Fusha | prije = before → para in Albanian. |
| 52 | Gjinovik / Gjinovikë | “village of Gjin” | Gjinovik / Gjinaj | From Albanian personal name Gjin. |
| 53 | Barda | “white (feminine)” | Bardha | Albanian bardhë (white); direct cognate. |
| 54 | Arnaut Polje | “Albanian plain” | Fusha e Arnautëve | Ethnic toponym; direct translation. |
| 55 | Matan Potok | “beyond the stream” | Matanë Përroit | matanë = beyond; Albanian form. |
| 56 | Peshter | “cave / plateau” | Shpellë / Peshterë | Slavic pešter from Alb. peshterë (cave). |
| 57 | Dardetin | “of Dardania” | Dardetin / Dardani | From Illyrian Dard- root (pear). |
| 58 | Burmaz | personal/clan name | Burmaz / Burmazaj | Already Albanian form. |
| 59 | Sjenica | “shade / shadow” | Hije / Hijecë | From hije (shade); Slavic sjen. |
| 60 | Sharra / Sharrë | mountain range | Sharri / Sharrë | Albanian mountain name; native root. |
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Etymological Note |
| 61 | Dardiste / Dardište | “place of pears / Dard-land” | Dardishtë / Dardania e Vogël | From dardhë = pear → Illyrian Dard-, the root of Dardania. |
| 62 | Petriz / Petrić | from petar = stone / Peter | Guraj / Gjuricë / Petraj | If from petra (rock) → gur; could also be personal name Pjetër. |
| 63 | Rashka | “region of Ras / Raš” | Rasha / Rashë | Medieval center of the Raška principality; Illyrianized hydronym. |
| 64 | Novi Pazar | “new marketplace” | Pazari i Ri | Direct Albanian equivalent; Ottoman loan pazar. |
| 65 | Studenica | “cold river/valley” | Ftohtë / Ftohticë / Ftohtaj | studen = cold → ftohtë in Albanian. |
| 66 | Vrela | “springs / water sources” | Burimet / Krojet | Vrelo = spring → Alb. burim / kroi. |
| 67 | Deževa | from dež = rain | Shiova / Shiuarë | Shi = rain; calque from Slavic. |
| 68 | Peć / Peja | “cave / oven” | Pejë | Native Illyrian-Albanian root; kept with minor phonetic shift. |
| 69 | Draga / Dragočevo | “dear / beloved place” | E Dashura / Dragovë | drag = dear → Alb. dashur. |
| 70 | Čačak | possibly “stony place” | Gurth / Gurtaj / Qaqaj | Possibly Illyrian; uncertain etymology. |
| 71 | Kraljevo | “king’s town” | Qyteti i Mbretit | kral = king → mbret. |
| 72 | Gračanica | “small town / church place” | Kishëza / Qytezë | From grad = town → qytet; -ica = diminutive. |
| 73 | Kosovska Mitrovica | “St Demetrius’ Kosovo town” | Mitrovica e Kosovës / Mitrovicë | Hybrid form; same in Albanian. |
| 74 | Priština | unclear, possibly from prišti = boil / burst | Prishtinë | Retained in Albanian; ancient pre-Slavic origin debated. |
| 75 | Podujevo | “under the mountain / slope” | Poshtëmal / Podujevë | pod = under → poshtë; existing Albanian form. |
| 76 | Glogovac / Glogovce | “hawthorn place” | Murrizaj / Murrizovë | glog = hawthorn → murriz in Albanian. |
| 77 | Obilić | “heroic / of Obil” | Kastriot / Trimaj / Obiliq | Modern Albanian Obiliq; folk etymology tied to heroism. |
| 78 | Vučitrn | “wolf-thorn” (vuk = wolf, trn = thorn) | Ujktherrë | Perfect Albanian calque (ujk = wolf, therrë = thorn). |
| 79 | Lipljan / Ulpiana | from Roman Ulpiana | Lipljan / Ulpianë | Ancient Dardanian city; name persisted through Slavic form. |
| 80 | Gjilan / Gnjilane | “muddy place” (gnjil = rotten, wet) | Gjilan | Re-Albanianized form; likely derived from Illyrian Gilan-. |
| 81 | Vitina / Vitinje | from vita = vine | Vitisht / Vitishtë | rrush / vreshtë in Albanian → “vineyard place.” |
| 82 | Kaçanik / Kačanik | from Turkish kaça = small fort | Kaçanik | Retained Albanian name; hybrid Ottoman-Alb. origin. |
| 83 | Ferizaj / Uroševac | “Uroš’s town” (Slavic) | Ferizaj | Replaced Slavic personal name with Ottoman Feriz = merchant. |
| 84 | Prizren | possibly from pris- = cut / clear (forest) | Prizren | Ancient name retained; pre-Slavic origin likely. |
| 85 | Dragash / Dragaš | “place of Drag” | Dragash | Common Albanian surname; unchanged. |
| 86 | Rahovec / Orahovac | “walnut place” | Rahovec / Arrëzë | orah = walnut → arrë. |
| 87 | Suva Reka | “dry river” | Reka Thatë / Përroi i Thatë | suva = dry → thatë. |
| 88 | Malishevo | “mountainous area” | Malishevë | From malësi (highlands); Albanian root. |
| 89 | Klina | “bent / curve” (river bend) | Kthesë / Klinë | Similar to Albanian kthesë = bend. |
| 90 | Pećane / Peqanë | “people of Peć” | Peqanë | Derived from Pejë (Peć); Albanianized suffix. |
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Etymological Note |
| 91 | Dečani | “monastery / monks of Dečani” | Deçan / Deçani | Derived from deçanë (monks); Alb. retains identical form. |
| 92 | Istok | “source / spring / east” | Burim | Direct Albanian translation: burim = spring, source. |
| 93 | Peć / Peja | “cave / oven” | Pejë | Illyrian-Albanian root pejë, unchanged. |
| 94 | Gusinje | “goose-place” (guska = goose) | Patk / Patok / Gusinë | patë = goose; calque possible. |
| 95 | Plav | “blue / pale” | Kaltër / Plavë | plav = blueish → Alb. kaltër; hydronymic sense. |
| 96 | Andrijevica | “Andrew’s town” | Shën Andrija / Andrijevicë | From Andrija (Andrew); Christian root. |
| 97 | Murina | “dark one / wall-like” | Murina / Muri i Zi | From mur = wall; possible shared root. |
| 98 | Berane / Ivangrad | “John’s city” (former Ivangrad) | Gjonaj / Qyteti i Gjonit | Alb. Gjon = John. |
| 99 | Bijelo Polje | “white field” | Fusha e Bardhë | Direct Albanian translation. |
| 100 | Kolašin | “settlement of Kola” | Kolashin / Kolaj | From Alb. anthroponym Kolë. |
| 101 | Mojkovac | “place of Mojko / Moik” | Moikovë / Moikaj | Likely derived from Alb. Moik / Moikë. |
| 102 | Šavnik | “small bridge / ford” | Ura Vogël / Shavnik | Possibly Illyrian hydronym. |
| 103 | Žabljak | “frog-place / marsh” | Bretkocë / Bretkosë | žaba = frog → bretkosë (Alb.). |
| 104 | Nikšić | “descendants of Nikša” | Nikshiq / Nikshaj | From Nikë, Albanian form of Nicholas. |
| 105 | Danilovgrad | “town of Danilo” | Qyteti i Danilit | Danil → Danil / Danel; direct calque. |
| 106 | Cetinje | “small plateau / flat area” | Rrafshina / Cetinë | From ceta (flat rock); Alb. rrafshinë. |
| 107 | Podgorica | “under the mountain” | Poshtëmal / Podgoricë | pod = under; gor = mountain → poshtëmal. |
| 108 | Spuž | from spužva (sponge) | Sfugjë / Spuzhë | Possibly Illyrian hydronym. |
| 109 | Danilov Most | “Daniel’s bridge” | Ura e Danilit | most = bridge → urë. |
| 110 | Bar | possibly from Antibarium (Roman) | Tivar / Bari / Barë | Original Latin Antibarium, preserved. |
| 111 | Tivat | unclear; maybe from Teuta (Illyrian queen) | Tiv / Teutë / Tivaj | Likely Illyrian root Teut-. |
| 112 | Kotor / Cattaro | “encircled, walled place” | Kotor / Kotorë / Kështjellë | From Latin Cattarum; Illyrian substratum. |
| 113 | Budva | ancient Butua (Roman) | Budë / Butua | Pre-Slavic Illyrian city; Alb. Butua. |
| 114 | Sutomore | “Saint Thomas (by the sea)” | Shën Thoma / Pranë Detit | Suto = St. Toma → Shën Thomë. |
| 115 | Ulcinj / Ulqin | “Ulcinium” (Roman) | Ulqin | Pure Illyrian-Latin origin; native Albanian form preserved. |
| 116 | Ada Bojana | “island of the Bojana River” | Ishulli i Bunës | ada = island (Turk.); Bojana = Buna. |
| 117 | Skadar / Shkodër | “Scodra (Roman)” | Shkodër | Ancient Illyrian city name; unchanged. |
| 118 | Drin / Drina | “the running river” | Drin / Drina | Pre-Slavic Illyrian hydronym. |
| 119 | Lim | “quiet / calm river” | Llum / Limë | Possibly Illyrian hydronymic root; Albanian limë. |
| 120 | Tara | “river, swift stream” | Tarë / Taraja | Ancient Illyrian hydronym, unchanged. |
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Etymological Note |
| 121 | Niš (Naissus) | “flowing river” (from Lat. Naissus) | Nish | Illyrian hydronym unchanged in Alb. form. |
| 122 | Vranje | “crow, black bird” (vran) | Korbë / Zeza / Vranjë | Alb. calque Korbë (‘raven’) possible. |
| 123 | Leskovac | “hazelnut place” (leska) | Leshkofc / Leshnikë | Alb. leshnik = hazelnut. |
| 124 | Prokuplje | “area of Saint Prokopius” | Prokup / Prokopjë | From Greek Prokopios > Alb. Prokop. |
| 125 | Kuršumlija | “place of lead” (kuršum = lead) | Plumbishtë / Kurshumli | Alb. plumb = lead. |
| 126 | Toplica | “warm river / valley” | Ngrohta / Toplicë | Alb. ngrohtë = warm. |
| 127 | Vranjska Banja | “Vranje spa / bath” | Banja e Vranjës / Banë | Alb. banjë = bath. |
| 128 | Pirot | possibly from Piros (Illyrian root “fire”) | Pirot / Piros | Pre-Slavic Illyrian hydronym. |
| 129 | Dimitrovgrad | “town of Dimitri” | Qyteti i Dhimitrit | Direct Greek/Alb. translation. |
| 130 | Vlasotince | “settlement of Vlachs” | Vllashinc / Vllahaj | Alb. ethnonym Vllah. |
| 131 | Kumanovo | “of the Cumans” | Kumanovë | Unchanged; ethnonymic. |
| 132 | Kriva Palanka | “crooked valley” (kriva = crooked) | Pyll i Përkulur / Krivë Palankë | Alb. krivë ≈ përkulur. |
| 133 | Skopje / Üsküb / Scupi | “fortified place” (Latin Scupi) | Shkup | Ancient Illyrian name preserved in Alb. form. |
| 134 | Tetovo | from Alb. Tetë / Teta “aunt” or Illyrian root Tet- | Tetovë | Likely Alb. origin. |
| 135 | Gostivar | “guest courtyard” (gost = guest) | Mysafiraj / Gostivar | Alb. loan-translation possible. |
| 136 | Kičevo / Kërçova | “settlement of Kiča” | Kërçovë | Alb. form ancient; Illyrian root ker-. |
| 137 | Debar / Dibra | “door, valley pass” | Dibër | Pure Illyrian origin. |
| 138 | Ohrid | “hill above the lake” | Ohër | Illyrian / pre-Slavic hydronym. |
| 139 | Struga | “stream / passage” | Strugë | Alb. identical form. |
| 140 | Prespa | “flat lake area” | Prespë | Ancient Illyrian toponym. |
| 141 | Bitola / Monastir | “monastery” | Manastir | Alb. form from Greek root. |
| 142 | Prilep | “stuck, attached” (prilepiti) | Ngjitur / Prilepë | Alb. ngjitur = attached. |
| 143 | Štip / Astibos | ancient Illyrian city | Shtip / Shtibë | Preserves Illyrian root. |
| 144 | Radovish | from radovati (“rejoice”) | Gëzimaj / Radovisht | Alb. calque gëzim = joy. |
| 145 | Strumica | “river of currents” | Lumi i Shtrumit / Strumicë | Possible Alb. root shtrumë. |
| 146 | Kočani | “descendants of Koča” | Koçanë | Alb. Koç surname root. |
| 147 | Veles / Bilazora | “great” | Velesh / Bilazorë | Illyrian city Bilazora → Alb. form. |
| 148 | Kavadarci | “winemaking place” | Vreshtan / Kavadar | Alb. vresht = vineyard. |
| 149 | Radoviš / Radomir | “glad / peaceful people” | Gëzimi / Mirash | Alb. mirror translation. |
| 150 | Sofia / Sardica | “wisdom” | Sofi / Sardikë | Greek origin; Alb. form identical. |
| # | Slavic Name | Meaning (Slavic) | Albanian Equivalent | Comment / Etymological Note |
| 151 | Zaječar | “place of hares” (zajec = hare) | Lepurth / Zajçar | Alb. lepur = hare; direct calque possible. |
| 152 | Bor | “pine” | Pishë / Borë | Could be Illyrian root bor- “mountain.” |
| 153 | Negotin | from noga (foot) or personal name Nego | Nigot / Nikutinë | Pre-Slavic substrate likely. |
| 154 | Knjaževac | “duke’s town” | Qyteti i Princit / Knyazhë / Princaj | Alb. calque from knjaz = prince. |
| 155 | Bela Palanka | “white village” | Pallanka e Bardhë | Direct translation. |
| 156 | Pirot | possibly from Illyrian Piros (“fire”) | Piros / Pirot | Pre-Slavic Illyrian hydronym. |
| 157 | Temska | from Illyrian Temus / Thamis | Temë / Temska | Ancient hydronymic root. |
| 158 | Babušnica | “of old woman (baba)” | Plakushë / Babushë | Alb. babushë = old man/woman. |
| 159 | Surdulica | possibly “steep valley” (surdo) | Grykë / Surdolicë | Illyrian substrate possible. |
| 160 | Trgovište | “market place” | Tregishtë | Alb. treg = market. |
| 161 | Vlasina | “river of Vlachs” | Vllasinë | Alb. ethnonym Vllah. |
| 162 | Caribrod (Dimitrovgrad) | “Tsar’s ford” | Kali Mbretit / Qafëmbret | Alb. calque mbret. |
| 163 | Breznik | “birch forest” | Breznikë / Brezë | Alb. bredh = fir, similar semantic field. |
| 164 | Trn | “thorn” | Ferre / Trinë | Alb. ferrë = thorn. |
| 165 | Pernik | possibly from Perun (Slavic deity) | Perënik / Breshkavë | Ancient theonymic root; Alb. Perëndi. |
| 166 | Kyustendil | “Constantine’s city” (from Konstantinopolis Civitas Justiniana Prima) | Justiniana Parë / Kostandinilë | Alb. historic Illyrian-Roman center. |
| 167 | Radomir | “happy peace” | Gëzimir / Mirash | Alb. calque gëzim + mirë. |
| 168 | Sofia (Sardica) | “wisdom” | Sofi / Sardikë | Greek origin; Illyrian substrate under Sardica. |
| 169 | Pernik Mountains | “mountains of Perun” | Malet e Perëndisë | Alb. Perëndi = God, possible pre-Slavic link. |
| 170 | Bregalnica River | “river of slopes” (breg = bank) | Bregu / Bregalnica → Bregaj | Alb. breg = hill, bank; same root. |
| 171 | Morava River | from ancient Marava / Moriava | Moravë / Maravë | Illyrian hydronym. |
| 172 | Nišava River | “river of Niš” | Nishavë / Lumi i Nishit | Direct derivative. |
| 173 | Dragoman | possibly “dear man” | Dashamir / Dragomanë | Alb. dashamir = beloved man. |
| 174 | Slivnitsa | “plum place” | Kumbullishtë | Alb. kumbull = plum. |
| 175 | Dupnitsa | “hollow place / cave” | Shpellë / Zgavrë / Dupnicë | Alb. shpellë = cave. |
| 176 | Sapareva Banya | “hot springs of Sapareva” | Banja e Ngrohtë / Saparevë | Alb. banjë = bath. |
| 177 | Radovishte / Radovish | “joyful village” | Gëzisht / Mirash | Alb. gëzim + -sht. |
| 178 | Vidin | “to see / viewpoint” | Vidhin / Shikimë | Alb. vidhë / shikim. |
| 179 | Braničevo | “guarded place” (braniti = to guard) | Rojisht / Mbrojtinë | Alb. mbrojtje = protection. |
| 180 | Požarevac | “burnt town” (požar = fire) | Zjarravë | Alb. zjarr = fire. |
Source:: “Vendbanimet dhe Popullsia Albane e Kosovës (sipas Defterëve Osmane të shekullit XV) by Iljaz Rexha
Research and publication: Petrit Latifi, on November 5, 2025.
Balkan Academia 