The red grape variety originates from the Balkans, possibly from Serbia. Synonyms grouped by country are Zarčin (Bulgaria); Karlahanades, Karnachalades, Karnachalas (Greece); Crnka, Rekovacka Crnka (Croatia); Nikodimka, Niševka, Majski Čornii, Skopsko Crno (Northern Macedonia); Majski Cornii (Moldova); Kameničarka, Kamenilarka, Majski Cornii (Russia); Nichevka, Nikodimka, Niševka, Prokopac, Prokupac Noir, Prikupats, Prokupec, Prokupka, Rskavac, Surac Plavi, Vinta (Serbia). Possibly the Greek variety Karnachalades is identical. This very old variety was very important in Serbia from the Middle Ages onwards, and there are many varieties with many names that have developed over time. The parentage is unknown. Prokupac was a crossing partner of the new varieties Evita, Jagodinka and Župljanka as well as a parent of the varieties Beala Debela (Bulgaria) and Papazkarasi (Turkey), which probably originated by natural crossing.