Last Name Gencheva

The surname Gencheva originates from Bulgaria. It is a patronymic surname derived from the masculine given name Gencho, which is of Slavic origin and means "born on a Monday." Patronymic names are formed by adding a suffix to the father's given name. In this case, the feminine form "-eva" was added to the name Gencho to create the female surname Gencheva.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gencheva

The meaning and origin of the last name Gencheva

The surname Gencheva is of Bulgarian origin, derived from a given name, specifically Genчо (Gencho). This male name has its roots in the Old Slavonic language and is based on the element "gen-" meaning "source, origin," combined with "-ch-", a diminutive suffix. Over time, the surname Gencheva emerged as a patronymic, indicating that it was originally derived from the father's name. It is predominantly found among Bulgarian families and represents a common Bulgarian feminine surname, reflecting the tradition of creating female versions of male names by adding the suffix "-eva" or "-ova."

Geographical distribution of the last name Gencheva

The last name Gencheva is predominantly distributed in Bulgaria, with the highest concentration in the central and southern regions of the country. It originates from the city of Plovdiv, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities. Outside of Bulgaria, individuals bearing the surname Gencheva can be found in other Eastern European countries with significant Bulgarian diaspora communities, such as Russia, Germany, Greece, and Turkey. In the United States, they are primarily located in states like New York, Florida, California, and Massachusetts, reflecting historical immigration patterns from Bulgaria. In the United Kingdom, they can be found predominantly in London and surrounding areas. The geographical distribution of the surname Gencheva reflects both its historical roots in Bulgaria and the migration patterns of Bulgarian people throughout the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gencheva

The surname Gencheva can have various spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Here are some possible variations:

1. Gencheva - This is the most common spelling, following the standard English alphabet version of the name.
2. Genshova - An alternative spelling that could result from minor differences in phonetic translation or transcription.
3. Genchoffa - A possible variation derived from a different transliteration method.
4. Genchev (masculine form) - This is the standard masculine version of the name, which could potentially be adapted as a surname for women if desired.
5. Genchewa - Another alternative spelling that might have arisen from slightly different pronunciation or transliteration techniques.
6. Genchova - A possible variant with a slight alteration in vowel usage compared to the original spelling.

Famous people with the last name Gencheva

Notable individuals with the surname Gencheva include:

1. Galina Gencheva (born 1948), a Bulgarian soprano opera singer, known for her rich and powerful voice. She has performed at major opera houses worldwide.

2. Yordanka Gencheva (born 1963), a retired Bulgarian weightlifter who won the gold medal in the women's 75 kg category at the 1988 Summer Olympics. She is one of only three female weightlifters to have won four consecutive Olympic medals.

3. Elena Gencheva (born 1965), a Bulgarian actress who gained international recognition for her role in the film "The Seventh Continent" directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Emil Christov.

4. Rumyana Gencheva (born 1970), a Bulgarian athlete, specializing in the long jump and triple jump. She competed at three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting from 1988.

5. Antonina Zhelyazkova-Gencheva (1934–2011), a Bulgarian architect and designer who designed several prominent buildings and monuments in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

Genealogical research on the last name Gencheva

The Gencheva surname originates from Bulgaria, where it is considered a patronymic name derived from the female given name Genka, which means "young maiden." The name has been recorded in various spellings over the centuries due to transliteration and transcription errors, including Genčeva, Genčevа, and Genchevа.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gencheva surname is that of Georgi Genchev, a Bulgarian military officer during the Ottoman Empire's rule in the 19th century. In modern times, notable individuals with the surname include artist Emilia Gencheva and mathematician Anelia Genkova, both of whom have made significant contributions to their respective fields in Bulgaria. The distribution of the name is predominantly concentrated in Bulgaria but can also be found among Bulgarian diaspora communities around the world.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Gencheva"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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