Find out how popular the first name Fania has been for the last 29 years (from 1981 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Fania by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Fania is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Fania.

The history of the first name Fania

The name Fania is of Greek origin, derived from the word "phanai," which means "to shine" or "to appear." It is a diminutive form of the name Epiphania, which was a popular name among early Christians, referring to the manifestation of Christ's divinity.

In ancient Greece, the name Fania was associated with the goddess Aphrodite, who was known for her radiant beauty and grace. The name was often given to girls born during the festivities of the Epiphany, which celebrated the revelation of the divine nature of Jesus Christ.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fania can be found in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers and historians. The philosopher Plato mentioned a woman named Fania in his work "The Republic," written around 380 BCE.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Fania. One of the earliest was Fania Cohn-Tawusser (1868-1934), a Russian Jewish author and activist who wrote extensively about the plight of women in Eastern Europe.

Another prominent figure was Fania Fénelon (1918-1983), a French musician and composer who survived the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II. She is best known for her autobiographical work, "Playing for Time," which chronicled her experiences in the camp's orchestra.

In the realm of literature, Fania Marinoff (1890-1971) was a Bulgarian writer and translator who played a significant role in introducing Western literature to Bulgarian readers. Her translations of works by authors like Shakespeare, Goethe, and Dostoevsky were widely acclaimed.

The name Fania also appears in the world of sports. Fania Chapiro (1891-1917) was a Russian chess player and one of the first women to gain recognition in the male-dominated field of competitive chess during the early 20th century.

Lastly, Fania Lewando (1887-1925) was a Russian-born American businesswoman and philanthropist who co-founded the Village Restaurant in New York City, which became a popular gathering place for artists and intellectuals in the 1920s.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Fania was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fania, please contact us.

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