Last Name Vladimirova

The surname "Vladimirova" is of Russian origin. It is derived from the male given name Vladimir, which means "ruler of peace" in Slavic languages. In Russia, it was common for a family to take the surname of their patriarch or head of household. Over time, this tradition led to many Russian surnames ending in -ov or -ova, such as Vladimirova.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vladimirova

The meaning and origin of the last name Vladimirova

The surname Vladimirova is a Russian variant derived from the male given name Vladimir, which means "ruler of peace" or "peaceful ruler." It is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages when the name Vladimir was bestowed upon individuals who demonstrated strong leadership and maintained peaceful rule. The feminine form, Vladimirova, developed over time as a way to differentiate female family members from their male counterparts. The name spread across Russia, particularly in regions where the Slavic languages were spoken, through various historical events, migrations, and the growth of the Russian Empire. Today, it remains a common surname among individuals of Russian descent, both within Russia and in diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vladimirova

The surname Vladimirova is predominantly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and neighboring countries like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. This name is also present in other Slavic nations such as Bulgaria and Serbia, due to historical migration patterns and cultural ties with the Russian Empire. The highest concentrations of Vladimirovas can be found in regions such as the Central Federal District (Moscow, Tver, Kaluga) and the North Caucasus in Russia. While it is less common outside of Eastern Europe, some instances of the surname can also be found in immigrant communities in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with significant Russian diaspora like the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vladimirova

The last name Vladimirova has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration from Cyrillic script, regional dialects, or family preference. Some common versions of this name include:

* Vladimirova (Cyrillic: Владимирова) - the standard Russian spelling
* Vladimiroff (Vladimiroff is a rare variant that originated among the Russian nobility during the rule of Peter the Great, when many Russian families were given German-sounding names)
* Vladyimirova (Vladyimirova is another variant with a different emphasis on the first syllable)
* Vladimirova (In some cases, the last name may be shortened to Vladimirova by dropping the feminine suffix "-ova")
* Vladimirova-Karpova (Some women may hyphenate their maiden and married names)
* Vladimiroffe (French spelling of a rare variant originating among the Russian nobility)
* Vladyimiroffe (Another French spelling variation)
* Vladimirovic (Serbian, Bulgarian, or Macedonian variation)
* Vladimirovaia (Russian genitive case form)
* Vladimirovy (Russian dative and accusative forms)
* Vladimirovaia-Karpovaia (genitive form of the hyphenated name)
* Vladimirovyi (masculine form of the last name in Russian)

These variations may appear in different formats depending on the country or language context. It is essential to keep in mind that there may be additional variations not listed here, as there are many ways to spell a surname.

Famous people with the last name Vladimirova

Notable individuals bearing the surname Vladimirova include:

1. Lilia Vladimirova (born 1976), a Russian actress and pop singer, best known for her roles in the films "The Irony of Fate" and "Three Poplars".
2. Mariya Vladimirova (1894-1938), a prominent Soviet composer and pianist, remembered for her ballet compositions such as "Red Poppy" and "Romeo and Juliet".
3. Irina Vladimirova (born 1962), a Russian journalist and political commentator, currently working for the international news agency RIA Novosti.
4. Svetlana Vladimirova (born 1974), a Russian actress who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the popular series "Interns" and "Daddy's Daughters".
5. Elena Vladimirova (born 1982), a Russian tennis player, who achieved her highest WTA singles ranking of 74 in 2006. She represented Russia at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
6. Aleksandra Vladimirova (born 1973), a Russian chess grandmaster and six-time Women's World Chess Championship participant. She has been an International Arbiter since 2008.

Genealogical research on the last name Vladimirova

The last name Vladimirova originates from Eastern Europe, particularly Russia, where it is one of the most common female surnames derived from the given name Vladimir, meaning "rule of Mir." The name first appeared during the Middle Ages, with notable figures like Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev (980-1015), who spread Christianity among the Eastern Slavs, bearing this name. The surname was likely patronymic in origin, denoting a family descended from a male ancestor named Vladimir. Over time, various spelling variations emerged due to differences in transliteration and local customs, such as Vladimirova, Vladimirovna, Vladimiroff, etc. The Vladimirovas are spread across Russia, but particularly concentrated in the historic regions of Central Russia and Northwestern Russia. Famous individuals bearing this surname include mathematician Sofya Vladimirova (1895-1970) and cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, who officially changed her name to Tereshkova-Vladimirova in 1963 as a tribute to the female pioneer.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vladimirova"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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