Origin and Meaning of Vanja
Meaning & Origin
Gift from God
Origin: Slavic - Vanja is a diminutive form of the name Ivan, which is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'God is gracious'.
Interesting Facts
- Vanja is used in several Slavic countries, including Russia, Serbia, and Croatia, and can be a male or female given name.
- In Serbia and Croatia, Vanja is quite common as a unisex name, whereas in Russia, it is predominantly a male name.
- Notable individuals with the name include Vanja Šljivar, a Serbian poet, and Vanja Ilic, a Croatian artist.
- The name Vanja has experienced varying levels of popularity over the years, particularly in Eastern Europe. It peaked during the late 20th century.
- Related variations include Ivana and Ivo, which also derive from Ivan, emphasizing the name's roots in the Slavic linguistic tradition.