a feminine given name, popular in English-speaking and Russian-speaking countries.
From Russian 'Tanya,' a diminutive form of 'Tatiana,' which comes from the Latin family name 'Tatianus,' possibly related to 'Tatians' (a group from Tatius, an ancient Roman figure). The name spread to English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
The name 'Tanya' shows how Russian diminutive forms (shortened, affectionate versions of names) have traveled internationally—in Russian, -ya endings make names feel warm and familiar, so even English speakers use 'Tanya' instead of the formal 'Tatiana.'
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.