Find out how popular the first name Tanja has been for the last 34 years (from 1974 to 2007) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tanja by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Tanja is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2007, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tanja.

The history of the first name Tanja

The name Tanja originates from the Russian language and is a diminutive form of the feminine name Tatiana. It first emerged as a popular name in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and neighboring Slavic countries, during the Middle Ages.

The name Tatiana itself is derived from the ancient Roman family name Tatius, which is believed to have originated from the Sabine-Italic word "tata," meaning "father." It gained widespread popularity after the 3rd century AD, when a Christian martyr named Tatiana was venerated for her steadfast faith and courage in the face of persecution.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tanja can be found in the Russian epic poem "The Tale of Igor's Campaign," written in the 12th century. In this literary work, a character named Tanja is mentioned, demonstrating the use of the name during the Kievan Rus' period.

Over the centuries, several notable women have borne the name Tanja, including Tanja Frieden (1976-), a Swiss film director and screenwriter known for her work in the German-language film industry. Another notable figure is Tanja Valković (1979-), a Croatian singer and songwriter who has represented her country at the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the world of sports, Tanja Szewczenko (1977-) is a German former professional tennis player who achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 9 in the world. Tanja Gräff (1940-2022) was a renowned German ballet dancer and choreographer who served as the director of the Berlin State Ballet from 1977 to 1990.

Tanja Savić (1981-) is a Serbian writer and journalist who has published several critically acclaimed novels and short story collections, addressing themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of modern life.

While the name Tanja has its roots in Eastern Europe, it has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in Western European countries and North America. However, its historical origins and cultural significance remain closely tied to the Slavic regions where it first emerged as a beloved and widely used name.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tanja, 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!