Sava is an ancient name of Slavic origin, derived from the Proto-Slavic element 'savъ', meaning 'strong'. It was widely used among the South Slavs and has been popular in countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The name Sava is also significant geographically, as it is the longest river in Croatia and the third-longest in the Balkan Peninsula.
The name Sava experienced a significant increase in popularity over the years, with a noticeable peak in recent times. Between 2000 and 2023, there were a total of 191 babies named Sava.