Submitted Name Revision History

Derived from ancient Greek δεσπότης (despotes) meaning "lord, master", which was synonymous with κύριος (kyrios) meaning "lord, master" (see KYRIOS). This was initially a form of address that indicated respect, which after the advent of Christianity became intertwined with the Christian religion, as it became a way to refer to God and to church officials (especially bishops and patriarchs). In the High Middle Ages, δεσπότης (despotes) also became a Byzantine court title, which was bestowed upon the sons or sons-in-law of reigning Byzantine emperors.

A notable bearer of this name was Despot Badžović (1850-1930), an ethnic Serb teacher and political activist who was born and raised in what is now North Macedonia.