Find out how popular the first name Tonja has been for the last 32 years (from 1974 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tonja by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Tonja is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tonja.

The history of the first name Tonja

The name Tonja is a feminine given name of Russian origin, derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "tonŭkŭ," meaning "thin" or "slender." It is believed to have emerged in the 10th or 11th century during the height of the Kievan Rus' civilization.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Tonja can be found in the Veliky Novgorod Birch Bark manuscripts, a collection of ancient documents written on birch bark that date back to the 11th and 15th centuries. These manuscripts provide valuable insights into the daily lives, customs, and language of the medieval Novgorodians.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tonja. One such figure was Tonja Kuzminichna (c. 1508-1564), a prominent Russian noblewoman and landowner who played a significant role in the political and social affairs of her time. Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Tonja Mikhailovna Viazemskaya (1779-1857), a Russian princess and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna.

In the realm of literature, the name Tonja has been immortalized in various works, including Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," where one of the characters is named Tonja. Additionally, the Russian poet and writer Aleksandr Pushkin featured a character named Tonja in his novel "Eugene Onegin."

Moving forward in time, the 20th century saw several influential women bearing the name Tonja. Tonja Harding (born 1970) was an American figure skater who gained notoriety for her involvement in the attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, during the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. In the realm of politics, Tonja Gund (1939-2018) was an Austrian politician who served as the Minister of Health and Environmental Protection in the 1980s.

While the name Tonja has its roots in Slavic cultures, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Its enduring appeal lies in its unique sound and the richness of its historical and cultural associations.

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

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

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