Meaning & Origin
Cibor is the modernized Polish variant of Czcibor, a masculine name derived from Old Polish czcić (to honor) and borzyć (to fight), ultimately tracing back to the Old Slavic elements *čĭstĭ "honour" and *borti "battle". This etymology aligns with the reconstructed Proto-Slavic name Čĭstiborŭ, the root of related forms such as Czech Ctibor.
While originally a given name, in modern Poland Cibor is predominantly used as a surname. The Wiktionary entry lists both masculine and feminine declensions, noting the homophone cibor which may refer to a type of bird or other unrelated terms. Historically, names with the -bor suffix (from borti "to fight") were common among early Slavic nobility, often symbolizing martial honor or the reputation earned through battle.
As a surname, Cibor is relatively rare and concentrated mainly in Poland. The shift from a given name to a surname mirrors broader linguistic trends where patronymics and descriptive nicknames became fixed family names. Notable bearers are not widely recorded outside specialist genealogical sources, making the name a niche but culturally significant remnant of Slavic onomastic traditions.
Meaning: "Honor" + "battle" (from Slavic elements *čĭstĭ and *borti)
Origin: Old Slavic, via Old Polish Czcibor
Type: Variant/surname form of Czcibor
Usage regions: Poland (primarily as a surname)