Zoia first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Zoia has been for the last 1 years (from 1998 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Zoia

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "life".

Popularity of Zoia by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Zoia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zoia.

Year Male Count Female Count
1998 0 6

The history of the first name Zoia

The name Zoia is a feminine given name that originates from the Russian language. It is believed to have derived from the Greek word "zoe," which means "life." The name gained popularity in Russia during the medieval period, particularly among the upper classes and nobility.

In ancient Greek mythology, Zoe was one of the primordial deities, representing the personification of life itself. This connection to the concept of life may have influenced the name's adoption and usage in various cultures over time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zoia can be found in the Russian Chronicles, a collection of historical documents dating back to the 12th century. These chronicles mention several individuals bearing the name, suggesting its usage among the Rus' people during that time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Zoia. One of the most prominent was Zoia Kosmodemyanskaya (1923-1941), a Soviet partisan and World War II heroine known for her bravery and resistance against the Nazi occupation. She was executed by the Germans at the age of 18 and posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Another famous Zoia was Zoia Gaidai (1903-1977), a Soviet film director and screenwriter best known for her collaborations with her husband, the renowned director Leonid Gaidai. Her contributions to Soviet cinema were significant, and she played a pivotal role in shaping the comedic genre during that era.

In the realm of literature, Zoia Fedorova (1909-1981) was a celebrated Russian writer and poet. Her works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated readership within the Soviet Union.

Moving to the field of science, Zoia Mikhailovna Kosmodemyanskaya (1890-1947) was a prominent Russian physicist and professor. She made significant contributions to the study of atomic spectroscopy and was a pioneer in her field, paving the way for future generations of female scientists.

Lastly, Zoia Ceauşescu (1949-2006), the daughter of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, was a prominent figure in the communist regime of Romania. Although her role was largely overshadowed by her father's controversial leadership, she held influential positions within the government and was deeply involved in the country's political affairs.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Zoia, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and historical narratives associated with this 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 Zoia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Zoia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/zoia-meaning-and-history/.

"Zoia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/zoia-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 June, 2025

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

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