Zhania first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Zhania has been for the last 23 years (from 1994 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Zhania

Of Slavic origin, a feminine name derived from the root "zhizn" meaning "life".

Popularity of Zhania by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Zhania is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zhania.

Year Male Count Female Count
2016 0 5
2006 0 10
2005 0 6
2004 0 11
2003 0 10
2002 0 6
2001 0 7
2000 0 8
1999 0 6
1995 0 5
1994 0 5

The history of the first name Zhania

The name Zhania is believed to have its origins in the Russian language, although its exact etymology is somewhat unclear. Some linguists suggest that it is a variation of the name Zhanetta, which is a feminine form of the French name Jeanette, derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan meaning "God is gracious."

Another theory is that Zhania is a Russian diminutive form of the name Zhannat, which itself is derived from the Arabic name Jannat, meaning "paradise" or "garden." This connection to Arabic roots would indicate a possible influence from Islamic culture and traditions within certain regions of Russia.

Historically, the earliest recorded instances of the name Zhania can be traced back to the early 20th century in parts of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. It gained some popularity among Russian-speaking communities during this period, although it remained relatively uncommon compared to more traditional Russian names.

One notable figure with the name Zhania was Zhania Aubakirova, a Soviet and Kazakh writer and journalist who lived from 1909 to 1979. She was a prominent figure in the literary circles of Soviet Kazakhstan and contributed significantly to the development of Kazakh literature during her lifetime.

Another individual named Zhania was Zhania Nurmukhambetova, a Soviet and Kazakh dancer and choreographer who lived from 1925 to 2010. She played a crucial role in preserving and promoting traditional Kazakh dance forms and was recognized for her contributions to the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

In the early 20th century, there was also a Russian painter named Zhania Veselova who worked in the genre of Suprematism, a avant-garde art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich. Veselova's paintings from the 1920s and 1930s are considered significant works within the Suprematist movement.

Another notable figure was Zhania Auezova, a Kazakh writer and literary critic who lived from 1924 to 2011. She was a prominent figure in the literary circles of Soviet Kazakhstan and made significant contributions to the study and analysis of Kazakh literature.

Lastly, Zhania Zholymbekova was a Soviet and Kazakh actress who lived from 1927 to 2007. She had a long and successful career in Kazakh cinema, appearing in numerous films and television productions throughout her lifetime.

While the name Zhania has its roots in Russian and possibly Arabic languages, it seems to have gained particular prominence in Kazakhstan, where several notable individuals with this name have left their mark in various fields such as literature, dance, art, and cinema.

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

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

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"Zhania first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/zhania-meaning-and-history/.

"Zhania first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/zhania-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 September, 2025

Zhania first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/zhania-meaning-and-history/.

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