What is the origin of the last name Filina?

The surname Filina is of Slavic origin, specifically from Eastern and Southeastern Europe. It is derived from female given names that end with "-fila" or "-filla," which are diminutive forms of various names ending in "-eforija" or "-efimia." These names have roots in Greek and Byzantine culture. Some examples include Eufrosina, Averofilja, or Evtimija. The surname Filina is more common in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Bulgaria.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Filina

The meaning and origin of the last name Filina

The surname Filina is of Slavic origin, specifically Russian. It is derived from the feminine form of the given name Filipp, which means "lover of horses" or "horse lover." In Russia, many surnames were formed by adding diminutive suffixes to Christian names. In this case, the diminutive -ina was added to Filipp, resulting in the surname Filina.

Historically, the name Filina may have originated from various regions within Russia, but it is most commonly found today among the Russian population. Like many surnames, its exact origin can be difficult to trace due to factors such as migration, changes in spelling over time, and variations in how names were recorded historically. However, it remains a popular and distinctive surname among Russians and those of Russian descent.

Geographical distribution of the last name Filina

The surname Filina is primarily found in Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Russia and Ukraine. According to various genealogical databases, it originates from the Slavic language, where 'fil' means 'daughter of'. In Russia, it is a common surname, especially in regions such as Siberia, Ural, and Central Federal District. In Ukraine, it is also present but less frequent compared to Russia. The name has also been found in smaller numbers in other Eastern European countries like Belarus and Poland due to historical migrations and population shifts. It's important to note that surnames can vary in frequency based on factors such as regional dialects and historical events, making the distribution somewhat fluid over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Filina

The surname Filina can have several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation, transliteration, and cultural adaptations. Some common variations include Filian, Filena, Filyna, Filliana, Filiano, and Fillan. These variations may arise from phonetic changes, such as the addition or omission of syllables, or from attempts to spell the name using different alphabets, such as the Latin, Cyrillic, or Greek alphabet. Additionally, over time, names can also change due to immigration, assimilation, and cultural influences, resulting in further variations of the surname Filina.

Famous people with the last name Filina

Notable individuals with the surname Filina include:

1. Larysa Filina (born 1983), a Ukrainian sprinter who competed at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, winning silver in the women's 4 × 400 meters relay in Athens.
2. Danae Eleni Filina (born 1975), a Swedish actress of Greek descent, best known for her roles in Swedish films such as "Flickan från havet" and "En gång i Phuket".
3. Anastasia Filina (born 1992), a Ukrainian gymnast who represented Ukraine at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the team event.
4. Maria Filina (born 1985), a Greek-American actress known for her roles in television shows such as "Greek" and "The Mentalist".
5. Tatyana Filina (born 1992), a Russian diver who won gold medals in the women's 3m springboard at both the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2017 World Aquatics Championships.

Genealogical research on the last name Filina

The surname Filina originates from Slavic roots and is primarily found among Eastern European populations, particularly those of Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian descent. According to genealogical records, the name can be traced back to medieval Russia and is an occupational name derived from the Old Slavic word "fila" meaning "spinster" or "maidservant." The surname Filina may also have emerged as a diminutive form of female given names ending in -fila, such as Afanasiya-Filina, Varvara-Filina, or Irina-Filina. Throughout history, numerous branches and variants of the Filina family have been documented, including Filinovich, Filinova, and Filipenko, reflecting changes in naming conventions over time. The Filina family has been dispersed globally due to historical events such as migration, war, and economic changes, creating a diverse diaspora in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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