Find out how popular the first name Fanya has been for the last 42 years (from 1975 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Fanya by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Fanya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Fanya.

The history of the first name Fanya

The name Fanya has its origins in the Russian language and culture. It is a diminutive form of the Slavic name Fevronia, which itself is derived from the Greek name Euphrosyne, meaning "joy" or "delight." This name was particularly popular in the Russian Empire during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The name Fanya can be traced back to the Russian Orthodox Christian tradition, where Saint Fevronia of Murom was a revered figure. She lived in the 12th-13th century and was known for her piety, wisdom, and devotion to her husband, Prince Peter of Murom. Their marriage was considered a model of marital fidelity and love in the face of adversity.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Fanya can be found in the works of Russian writer Ivan Turgenev, who featured a character named Fanya Ivanovna in his novel "Fathers and Sons" (1862). In the novel, Fanya is portrayed as a young woman from a noble family, representing the changing social dynamics of 19th century Russia.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Fanya. Fanya Kaplan (1888-1918) was a Russian revolutionary who attempted to assassinate Vladimir Lenin in 1918. Fanya Ranevskaya (1896-1984) was a renowned Soviet actress known for her comedic roles and sharp wit.

Another famous Fanya was Fanya Feldman (1899-1935), a Russian-born writer and journalist who emigrated to the United States and became a prominent figure in the Yiddish literary scene. Her works explored themes of immigration, Jewish identity, and the struggles of women in the early 20th century.

In the realm of music, Fanya Chapiro (1909-1994) was a Soviet-born composer and pianist who made significant contributions to Russian and Jewish folk music. Her compositions blended traditional melodies with modern harmonies and were widely performed throughout the Soviet Union and beyond.

These are just a few examples of the diverse and accomplished individuals who have carried the name Fanya throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of their respective eras.

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 Fanya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!