Vukota (Serbian Cyrillic: Вукота) is a masculine given name and a surname of South Slavic origin. The name is derived from the Slavic root vuk, meaning “wolf,” a common element in Slavic anthroponymy that conveys qualities such as strength and bravery. As a surname, Vukota is most prevalent in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and among the Croatian diaspora, particularly in the Dalmatian islands.
Notable bearers
- Mick Vukota (born September 14, 1966) – Canadian former professional ice‑hockey right wing, best known for his ten‑season tenure with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Vukota Pavić (born 1993) – Serbian professional basketball player who has competed in the ABA League and the Basketball League of Serbia.
Distribution and demographics
According to surname‑distribution databases, the Vukota surname is concentrated in the Balkans, with the highest frequencies recorded in Serbia and Montenegro. In Croatia, families bearing the name are primarily of Croat ethnicity, especially on the island of Brač, while a minority are of Serbian descent.
Related names
The name is cognate with the more widespread Serbian and Montenegrin surname Vukotić, which also originates from the given name Vukota. Both names belong to a broader family of Slavic names incorporating the element vuk (e.g., Vuk, Vukmir, Vukoslav).