Bohumila

Bohumila is a Czech feminine given name derived from the masculine form Bohumil. It is the Czech equivalent of the Polish Bogumiła and shares its roots in the Slavic elements bogŭ "god" and milŭ "gracious, dear", hence meaning "favoured by God" or "dear to God". The name reflects early Slavic naming traditions that invoked divine favor and formed part of a broader set of names beginning with Bohu- (God) common in Czech and other West Slavic cultures.

Notable Bearers

Several Czech women have borne the name Bohumila across various fields. Bohumila Bednářová (1904–1985) was a noted astronomer; Bohumila Bloudilová (1876–1946) worked as a portrait photographer; and Bohumila Grögerová (1921–2014) gained recognition as a poet and translator. In sports, Bohumila Kapplová (born 1944) competed as a canoer at the Olympic level, while Bohumila Řimnáčová (1947–2025) represented Czechoslovakia in gymnastics. The actress Bohumila Míla Myslíková (1933–2005) also bore a variant form that includes the diminutive Míla as a middle element.

Variants and Diminutives

The name has several diminutive forms, including Bohunka and Míla, which are used as affectionate or familiar versions. While Bohumila is distinctively Czech, its masculine counterpart Bohumil remains common, and the Polish form Bogumiła similarly combines the same Slavic roots associated with divine grace.

• Meaning: "favoured by God"
• Origin: Slavic (Czech, Polish)
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage Regions: Czech Republic
• Related Names: Bohumil, Bohunka, Míla, Bogumiła