Lidiya is a feminine given name widely used in Bulgarian, Russian, and Ukrainian. It is the local form of the ancient name Lydia, which traces its origins to the Greek region of Lydia in Asia Minor. The region itself was named after the legendary king Lydos, though the meaning of his name remains unknown. In the New Testament, Lydia is mentioned as a converted follower of Saint Paul (Acts 16:14), making the name significant in Christian tradition. The name Lydia was revived during the Protestant Reformation and spread across Europe, adapting into various language forms. Cultural and Linguistic Context In Russian, the name is often used with affectionate diminutives such as Lidochka. Similar adaptations appear in other Slavic and European languages, including Lidziya in Belarusian, Lidija in Slovene, Lídia in Portuguese, Lýdie in Czech, and Lydie in French. Notable Bearers The name Lidiya has been borne by several notable figures, primarily from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Among them are Lidiya Skoblikova (born 1939), a legendary Soviet speed skater who holds the most Olympic gold medals in her sport. Others include Lidiya Ginzburg (1902–1990), a prominent literary critic and survivor of the siege of Leningrad; Lidiya Alekseyeva (1924–2014), a Russian basketball player; Lidiya Alfeyeva (born 1946), a Soviet long jumper; and Lidiya Masterkova (1927–2008), a Russian-born French painter known for her non-conformist art. Additional bearers include Ukrainian actress Lidiya Belozyorova (1945–2022), Russian long-distance runner Lidiya Grigoryeva (born 1974), Russian rower Lidiya Krylova (born 1951), and Belarusian milkmaid Lidiya Osiyuk (1920–1984). Azerbaijani politician Lidiya Rasulova (1941–2012) and Soviet stage actress Lidiya Sukharevskaya (1909–1991) also bear the name. Meaning: Originally "from Lydia" (Greek); influenced by New Testament Lydia. Origin: Greek, via Eastern Slavic forms of Lydia. Type: First name. Usage regions: Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine.