The name Tonya is a feminine given name that originated from the Russian language. It is a diminutive form of the name Antonina, which is derived from the Latin name Antonius. The name Antonius itself is believed to have originated from the ancient Roman family name Antonii.

Tonya gained popularity in Russia during the Middle Ages, where it was commonly used as a pet form of Antonina. It is possible that the name was initially influenced by the veneration of Saint Antonina, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century AD who was born in Nicaea (present-day Turkey).

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tonya can be found in the Russian chronicles from the 12th century, where a woman named Tonya was mentioned as the wife of a prominent nobleman. However, the name did not gain widespread popularity until the 19th century when it became more common among the Russian aristocracy and middle class.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Tonya. Tonya Harding (born 1970) is an American figure skater who gained notoriety for her involvement in the attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in 1994. Tonya Graves (born 1964) is an American actress and comedian best known for her roles in the television series "Girlfriends" and "The Steve Harvey Show".

Tonya Kinzinger (born 1974) is a former American professional tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of No. 16 in the world in 1997. Tonya Craft (born 1976) is an American former schoolteacher who was falsely accused and acquitted of child molestation charges in 2010, a case that garnered national attention.

Tonya Lee Williams (born 1953) is an American actress best known for her role as Natalie Bannon on the television series "The Young and the Restless", for which she received two Daytime Emmy Award nominations.